The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has firmly rejected a reported agreement between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) to conduct a six-month job evaluation before restarting negotiations on a crucial Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Union Demands Immediate Action on Negotiations
During a press briefing held in Abuja on 13 January 2026, NARD's National Executive Committee (NEC), led by its President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, called for the immediate reconvening and conclusion of talks on the Medical and Health Workers’ CBA. The union insists that the CBA process should resume while any job evaluation is conducted, not after it.
Dr. Suleiman revealed that while the NMA had accepted the government's proposal for the evaluation period, the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) had rejected it. NARD's position aligns with seeking a parallel process to avoid further delays in addressing the welfare of its members.
Progress and Unresolved Issues in Lokoja
The NARD President acknowledged positive steps, particularly the reinstatement of disengaged doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) Lokoja, which he credited to the intervention of Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima. However, he criticized the condition requiring two of the affected doctors to transfer to other hospitals, stating this would "aggravate the situation rather than resolve it."
"We are not being confrontational," Suleiman explained, "but we are being careful not to set a bad precedent. When union leaders lose their jobs for agitating, it's a dangerous precedent." He stressed that the full commitment was for all members to return to their posts in Lokoja.
List of Financial and Welfare Demands
NARD presented a series of urgent financial demands to the government, including:
- The immediate clearance of all outstanding 25%/35% CONMESS arrears and accoutrement allowance arrears.
- Expedited payment of all promotion arrears already sent to the Budget Office and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
- Prompt settlement of salary arrears owed to specific centres.
- Concrete steps towards implementing the approved Specialist Allowance.
- Accelerated resolution of issues affecting House Officers, including salary delays.
Dr. Suleiman emphasized the critical need to ensure all these welfare items are captured in the 2026 national budget to prevent recurring disputes. He stated NARD's intention to continue engaging the National Assembly and other stakeholders on the budget.
Vice Presidential Intervention Provides Hope
The union expressed confidence in the commitment of Vice President Shettima, who is acting on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Suleiman noted that this belief had averted a planned strike, with a review timeline set for the end of January.
"We saw the byproduct of that goodwill," he said, citing progress in official communications and document movements between government agencies aimed at implementing agreements. NARD also demanded the immediate reconvening of the Committee on Special Pension Benefits to conclude that matter.
The association's stance underscores the ongoing tension in Nigeria's health sector, with resident doctors pushing for the timely fulfillment of agreements to improve working conditions and prevent industrial action.
