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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Resident doctors under the platform of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called off their nationwide strike hitherto scheduled to start on Monday, 12 January, 2026.
This was contained in a statement released at the end of a virtual meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Association on Sunday.
NARD, in the statement noted that the meeting was called to review the status of their demands, and assess progress made through sustained engagements with relevant stakeholders.
The statement which was signed by Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, the Secretary-General, NARD, indicated that the suspension was strategic and conditional. “It allows us the room to objectively review tangible progress at the January NEC meeting commencing 25th January 2026,” he noted.
He confirmed that they have secured firm commitments from critical stakeholders including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal Ministry of Finance, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, IPPIS, Budget Office, CCMDs, National Assembly, DSS, and notably the Vice President.
“Based on the direct presidential intervention led by the Vice President, acting on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NEC unanimously resolved to suspend the resumption of TICS 2.0.
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“The NEC remains confident that the timely and decisive intervention of the Vice President will culminate in a lasting resolution of the protracted challenges confronting Nigeria’s health sector,” he said.
Meanwhile, on the status of their demands, the NARD Secretary-General noted that the report of the earlier committee set up by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare regarding Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) Lokoja, has been implemented.
“Additionally, a new reconciliation committee comprising CCMDs and NARD has been established to ensure all our members remain in FTH Lokoja, and also to broker lasting peace between ARD FTH Lokoja and MDCAN FTH Lokoja, fostering harmony among parties.
“The verified list of the outstanding 25%/35% CONMESS arrears have also been forwarded to IPPIS for prompt action. The Federal Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has written to the Federal Ministry of Finance and with attention to IPPIS. NARD will continue close follow-up to ensure prompt payment,” he said.
He, however, confirmed that other issues on their demand list are being attended to by relevant Ministries, promising that the NEC will continue to follow up to ensure timely actions.
