The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors is moving toward calling off its planned strike after a three‑hour meeting at the Presidential Villa, marking another chapter in a long history of tense negotiations between Nigerian medical unions and the federal government. NARD President Dr. Muhammad Suleiman said the talks, led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, produced clear timelines for resolving salary arrears, stalled promotions and outstanding allowances issues that have repeatedly triggered strikes in Nigeria’s public health system since the early 2000s. He said the association secured commitments from nearly all relevant agencies but will formally suspend the strike only after briefing its National Executive Council.
The meeting brought together senior officials from the Labour, Health and Finance ministries, as well as the heads of the Budget Office, the Office of the Accountant‑General and managers of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System. These institutions have featured prominently in past disputes, including the nationwide resident‑doctor strikes of 2014, 2016 and 2021, when payroll bottlenecks and delayed entitlements pushed hospitals to the brink.
Suleiman noted that Gbajabiamila has intervened in similar crises before, recalling his role as Speaker of the House of Representatives during earlier negotiations. He said those interventions often produced rapid breakthroughs, describing Tuesday’s meeting as another decisive step.
He explained that the government agreed to specific timelines for clearing salary and promotion backlogs, long‑standing flashpoints that have strained relations between resident doctors and federal authorities for more than a decade. Suleiman said the breadth of representation at the meeting gives the association confidence that the commitments will be honoured, especially on issues tied to payroll systems and budget releases.
He added that NARD will now consult its NEC before issuing a formal directive to members, though he stressed that the core disputes have been addressed. The association’s move signals a potential de‑escalation in one of Nigeria’s most persistent labour battles, with both sides aiming to avoid another disruption to hospital services nationwide.
