The planned nationwide strike by members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has been put on hold following a breakthrough meeting between the association and the Federal Government at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting, convened on Tuesday by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, lasted about three hours and ended with both parties agreeing on timelines for addressing the doctors' outstanding demands.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, NARD President, Dr Muhammad Suleiman, said the discussions had resolved virtually all the issues that prompted the association's strike threat, although the final decision to suspend the industrial action would be taken by the association's National Executive Council.
"Today, I can confidently say that our issues have been resolved. Timelines have been agreed with the relevant government agencies on salary-related matters, promotions and other welfare concerns," Suleiman said.
The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Labour, Health and Finance, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Director-General of the Budget Office, and officials overseeing government cash management and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System.
Suleiman commended Gbajabiamila for his intervention, describing him as someone who had consistently stepped in to resolve disputes involving resident doctors.
According to him, agreements were reached on the lingering meal allowance issue at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, with implementation expected to commence within one week.
He also disclosed that the Federal Government had issued a standing directive to ensure house officers receive their salaries before the 10th of every month to eliminate persistent payment delays.
On the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the NARD president said the Presidency had directed the Ministries of Labour and Health to speed up negotiations so that agreed provisions could be accommodated in the 2027 budget.
Suleiman further revealed that the association raised concerns over the increasing attacks on healthcare workers, noting that 31 doctors and over 20 other health personnel had been assaulted within the last 10 months.
He said the Federal Ministry of Health had pledged to strengthen security in public hospitals and launch public enlightenment campaigns to discourage attacks on medical personnel.
"The Chief of Staff also promised to champion legislation that will make assaults on health workers an aggravated offence. We believe this will send a strong message that violence against health workers will no longer be tolerated," he added.
Addressing the issue of outstanding hazard and specialist allowance arrears, Suleiman explained that the dispute stemmed from years of underpayment, adding that although the Federal Government corrected the payment structure earlier this year, a backlog covering about 19 months remained unresolved.
He, however, declined to disclose the exact amount owed, saying government officials had agreed that the verified figure was lower than initially estimated and more realistic for settlement.
Despite expressing optimism over the outcome of the talks, Suleiman maintained that only the association's National Executive Council could formally announce the suspension of the planned strike.
"I cannot unilaterally call off the strike. I have to brief the National Executive Council, and together we will take a final decision. But I have confidence that today's intervention has gone a long way in resolving our concerns," he said.
A source familiar with the meeting disclosed that the association had privately assured the Presidency that the planned industrial action would be suspended following the agreements reached.
Resident doctors had earlier threatened to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike from August 10 over unpaid salary arrears, welfare issues and other unresolved demands, warning that the action would proceed unless the government fulfilled its commitments before the deadline.
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