The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has indicated it may suspend its planned nationwide strike after reaching key agreements with the Federal Government during a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Speaking after the three-hour meeting on Tuesday, NARD President, Muhammad Suleiman, said the association had resolved its major concerns with the government.
“Today, I can tell you, our matters are solved,” Suleiman told journalists, noting that both parties agreed on specific timelines for addressing outstanding issues relating to salaries, promotions and allowances.
The meeting was convened by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and brought together senior government officials, including the Ministers of Labour, Health and Finance, alongside the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, the Accountant-General of the Federation and officials responsible for cash management and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
According to Suleiman, the Federal Government made firm commitments on nearly all of the association’s outstanding demands, helping to avert the industrial action that had appeared imminent.
Despite the breakthrough, the NARD president said a formal announcement on whether the planned strike would be suspended would only be made after consultations with the association’s National Executive Council (NEC).
