The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has urged the Federal Government to immediately conclude the long-delayed Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) as the union’s indefinite strike entered its 15th day on Saturday.

The doctors are also demanding a review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), which they described as outdated and inadequate in the face of rising living costs.

In a statement posted on X on Saturday, NARD said doctors have waited too long for a fair and clearly defined agreement on their work conditions and remuneration.

“For long we’ve waited for a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), a simple, written promise that ensures fairness, clear work terms, and proper pay. But the government keeps delaying, while doctors face rising costs and crumbling morale,” the union said.
“We demand the immediate conclusion of the CBA and review of the outdated CONMESS salary structure.”

The ongoing industrial action, which began earlier this month, has disrupted services in 91 hospitals across the country, including federal teaching hospitals, specialist centres, and federal medical centres.

NARD reiterated that its 19-point demand list is vital for improving the welfare of doctors and safeguarding the health sector. Among the demands are the payment of arrears under CONMESS, the disbursement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, prompt payment of specialist allowances, improved recognition of postgraduate qualifications, and better working conditions.

The union said these measures are essential to keep medical professionals in the system and maintain a functional healthcare delivery structure.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier directed the Ministry of Health to ensure immediate resolution of the strike, assuring that the government is working to address the doctors’ concerns.

However, NARD said the continued delay in signing the CBA and reviewing salaries has further dampened morale among resident doctors, many of whom are battling with economic hardship while providing critical healthcare services.

The union maintained that it remains open to dialogue but expects urgent government action to restore normalcy in the nation’s hospitals.

Kogi State has recorded a remarkable leap in its healthcare readiness, climbing from the 18th position in 2023 and 2024 to the 10th position in the 2025 SBM Health Preparedness Index (HPI).

The SBM Health Preparedness Index assesses the capacity of Nigeria’s 36 states to effectively respond to health emergencies and deliver quality healthcare services. The annual report draws data from credible national and international institutions including the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), World Health Organisation (WHO), The Lancet, Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), BudgIT, The Cable, the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Radboud University, and the Global Data Lab.

The index evaluates key indicators such as budgetary commitments, human resource capacity, and health outcomes, using the most recent available data.

Although no state in the country met the 30 percent national target for health preparedness, Kogi’s advancement represents a significant step forward in its healthcare reform journey. The improvement reflects the Ododo administration’s sustained investments in healthcare infrastructure, personnel development, and community-based health delivery.

Speaking on the development, the Coordinating Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdilazeez Adeiza Adams, described the improvement as “a testament to the strategic leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the dedication of the health workforce in Kogi State.”

He assured that the State Government remains “fully committed to strengthening the health system to achieve universal health coverage, enhance emergency response capacity, and surpass national benchmarks in the coming years”.

“This is an encouraging development, but we are not relenting. We are scaling up investments in primary healthcare, training more professionals, and expanding access to quality medical services across all local government areas. Our ultimate goal is to make Kogi a model of resilience and efficiency in Nigeria’s health sector,” Dr. Adams said.

Also commenting on the report, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said Kogi State continues to shine in healthcare delivery under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

“This is a positive response to the challenge posed to the Coordinating Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdilazeez Adeiza Adams, to move Kogi up from the 18th position she occupied in 2023 and 2024. The Ministry has done the needful, and now the Governor has further challenged the Health Team to push Kogi even higher,” he stated.

Hon. Fanwo added that the development reflects the tangible outcomes of the administration’s people-centered policies.

“Our investment in health is paying off. This is the real measure of development, when governance directly improves lives and strengthens our health sector capacity”, he asserted.

The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), has confirmed that some of its outstanding salary arrears and allowances have been paid.

Despite this progress, the doctors have vowed to continue their ongoing indefinite strike in solidarity with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) until all their specific demands are fully met.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, ARD-FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, said that 28 doctors who had been owed salary arrears ranging from one month to one year were paid two nights ago. He added that while some members received their Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), 47 of the 150 doctors entitled to the allowance are yet to be paid.

Dr. Ebong commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for initiating the implementation of some of the doctors’ demands. However, he emphasized that partial fulfillment was insufficient grounds to suspend the strike.

“Two nights ago, 28 doctors who had been owed salary arrears for periods ranging from one month to one year were paid. Also, the MRTF of some doctors was paid, though 47 out of 150 are still outstanding,” Ebong said.

He further confirmed that salaries were paid on Tuesday, acknowledging what he described as “the beginning of the implementation” of their demands.

While expressing appreciation for ongoing engagements with the National Assembly and FCTA management, Dr. Ebong insisted that the strike would continue until the remaining issues are resolved.

He also called on government authorities to adopt a proactive approach to addressing workers’ concerns rather than waiting for strikes to force action.

“Our sincere appreciation once more to the Honourable Minister for his leadership and commitment. However, the indefinite strike will continue until the rest of our demands are met,” he stated.

The association outlined several pending demands that must be addressed before the strike can be suspended at both the national (NARD) and FCTA levels. These include:

• Immediate payment of MRTF to the remaining 47 doctors.
• Payment of salaries owed to external resident doctors for 6–7 months.
• Settlement of longstanding skipping arrears.
• Payment of overdue promotion arrears.
• Payment of post-Part II conversion arrears.
• Implementation of the CONMESS 25%/35% adjustment already effected in federal institutions.
• Payment of the approved wage award.
• Settlement of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears dating back to 2021.
• Immediate employment of additional healthcare workers.
• Improvement of working conditions across FCTA health facilities.

Dr. Ebong reaffirmed the association’s commitment to dialogue and to achieving lasting solutions that would strengthen the healthcare system in the FCT.