NARD URGES FG TO REINSTATE LOKOJA DOCTORS, IMPLEMENT OUTSTANDING ALLOWANCES

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called on the Federal Government to finalize the reinstatement of dismissed resident doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Lokoja, and to include and implement outstanding professional allowances in the January budget, among other demands.
In an exclusive interview, NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, expressed optimism that the 15-point agenda of the association would be addressed this month.
“We hope the processes for returning our members to Lokoja will be concluded. We also hope professional allowances will be captured in the budget and implemented this January,” Suleiman said. He emphasized that all 15 demands were critical to the welfare of resident doctors and the broader healthcare system.
NARD suspended a planned strike on January 12 following engagements with government agencies. The association had previously embarked on a 29-day indefinite strike on November 1, 2025, which ended on November 29.
A communiqué issued by NARD’s Secretary General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, on January 11, 2026, detailed progress on the 15 demands. On the FTH Lokoja crisis, a reconciliation committee comprising Chief Medical Directors, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and NARD was established to ensure the reinstatement of all members and restore harmonious working relationships with the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria.
Regarding outstanding Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears of 25% and 35%, verified lists have been forwarded to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), while the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has liaised with the Federal Ministry of Finance to ensure prompt payment. Similar progress has been made on accoutrement allowances, with NARD actively following up.
For promotion and salary arrears, lists have been transmitted to the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office, with acknowledgment from the Honourable Minister of State for Finance. “We are engaging to ensure a clear and expedited payment plan,” Suleiman said.
On house officers’ welfare, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has intervened, while the Ministry of Health will engage the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to address delays in salary and issuance of pay advisories. A committee has also been set up to oversee membership recategorization and align state and private facilities with federal gains.
NARD confirmed that the professional allowance circular has been released, and the Ministry of Health has written to the Office of the Accountant-General for full implementation starting with the January salary. Assurances have also been given that 18 months’ arrears will be captured in the 2026 budget.
The association highlighted ongoing negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement and noted that, with firm commitments from stakeholders—including the Vice President, Federal Ministries of Health, Labour and Finance, IPPIS, the Budget Office, Chief Medical Directors, and the National Assembly—the suspension of a nationwide strike is strategic, allowing time to review tangible progress at the NEC meeting on January 25, 2026.
Suleiman also sounded the alarm over Nigeria’s brain drain, revealing that 4,700 doctors left the country in 2024 alone, with approximately 15,000 medical practitioners emigrating over the past seven years. He warned that the continuous exodus of doctors is significantly affecting healthcare delivery nationwide. Data for 2025 departures is expected by the end of January or February 2026.