The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has stated that more than 2,000 of its members are yet to receive arrears linked to the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), contradicting claims by the Federal Government that the outstanding payments have been cleared.
NARD’s National President, Dr. Mohammad Suleman, revealed this during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television on Friday.
Reacting to the Federal Government’s position that seven out of the association’s 19 demands had been statutorily resolved, including the full settlement of seven months’ CONMESS arrears, Suleman insisted that many doctors were still unpaid.
“On the seven months’ arrears of 25–35 per cent, we still have over 2,000, almost 3,000 of our members who are yet to be paid those arrears,” he said.
He explained that the issue had been repeatedly delayed due to its placement under service-wide vote provisions, arguing that doctors should not have to rely on special interventions before their lawful entitlements are reflected in the national budget.
“In 2023, it was said to be put inside the service-wide vote if it wasn’t paid. In 2024, it was put in the service-wide vote; in 2025, it was again put there.
“The President had to make special provision when doctors agitated for that money to be paid.
“Are we saying these arrears have to go through that route of waiting for service-wide vote after service-wide vote and waiting for the President of the country to specifically intervene before they are captured in the budget?” Suleman asked.
He also confirmed that talks were ongoing between NARD, the Federal Government, and the Ministry of Health, expressing optimism that tangible progress could be achieved within days.
“Right now, we are in discussions with the Federal Government team. I would hope that from tonight to tomorrow, to Sunday, a lot of things are going to be done in the proper way.
“So that the National Executive Council will now look at it, not in the context of court injunctions and ‘no work, no pay,’ but in the context of what has been done and the evidence that good faith is on the table,” he said.
Suleman stressed that the association’s determination remained firm despite a court order restraining it from embarking on its planned industrial action.
“I am making it very clear that the resolve of our members is not shaken by all these. All these were factored into the decision to embark on this strike,” he stated.
When asked whether the nationwide strike scheduled to begin on Monday would still go ahead, the NARD president said the final call rested with the union’s leadership.
“Unless the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors says otherwise,” he said.
Addressing concerns about compliance with the court injunction, Suleman questioned whether the hardship faced by doctors and patients should be overlooked.
“Are we ignoring the sufferings that doctors are going through in this country? Are we ignoring the suffering that patients go through because doctors are exhausted, frustrated and have difficulties executing their jobs?” he asked.
Earlier, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja had ordered NARD and its members not to proceed with the strike scheduled for January 12.
The injunction, issued by Justice Emmanuel Subilim, followed a motion filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation after arguments by the Ministry of Justice.
Despite the court order, NARD has maintained plans to resume a total, indefinite and complete strike, citing the Federal Government’s failure to implement agreements reached in a Memorandum of Understanding signed after a previous strike was suspended on November 29.
The association said the industrial action would only be halted once all its demands are fully met and dismissed allegations of political sponsorship.
What you should know
The dispute between NARD and the Federal Government centres on unpaid salary arrears, allowances, and working conditions for resident doctors across Nigeria.
While the government insists progress has been made on several demands, the doctors argue that thousands remain unpaid and that systemic delays persist.
The standoff has been intensified by a court injunction barring strike action, raising concerns about healthcare service disruptions, doctors’ welfare, and the balance between legal orders and labour rights.
