The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its nationwide strike just two days after it began.
NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, confirmed the development in a message to The PUNCH on Saturday night, directing members to resume duties on Sunday.
“Some of our demands have been met, while the government has promised to address the others. We are suspending the strike as a sign of goodwill and to ensure Nigerians can continue to access healthcare services in our hospitals,” Osundara said.
Although no official statement had been released by the union at the time of filing this report, the suspended industrial action was centered on several long-standing issues.
Key demands included the immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, and clearance of outstanding salary backlogs.
The doctors also pressed for the release of their 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, prompt payment of specialist allowances, and recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
Additionally, NARD demanded that the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria issue membership certificates to all eligible candidates and fully implement the 2024 CONMESS.
Other grievances involved welfare concerns in Kaduna State and the unresolved plight of resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
