Health
NARD Gives FG Four-Week Ultimatum, Extends Strike Suspension
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to fully implement outstanding agreements on salaries, allowances, and welfare, even as it extended the suspension of its Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike (TICS).
The decision was taken at the end of the Association’s January National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and Scientific Conference, held from January 25 to 29, 2026, in Jos, Plateau State.
In a communiqué jointly signed by the NARD President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Abdulmajid Ibrahim, the Association expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and other key stakeholders for their roles in ongoing engagements.
NARD said the extension of the strike suspension for another four weeks was a “goodwill gesture” in recognition of what it described as progress made by the Federal Government.
“In recognition of the progress made by the Federal Government towards addressing the legitimate demands of Nigerian resident doctors, the NEC has resolved to extend the suspension of the Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike for a further period of four weeks,” the communiqué stated.
The Association held its January NEC meeting—its first statutory gathering for the year—alongside a scientific conference on January 27 at the Eliel Centre, Gold and Base, Jos, Plateau State.
The conference, themed “Innovating for Equity: Technology as a Bridge between Poverty and Health,” was delivered by Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman, who was represented by Dr Peace Longdet.
The event was chaired by the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Piwuna Christopher, and attracted several dignitaries, including the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, His Royal Majesty Jacob Gyang, who was represented.
Leaders of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and chief medical directors of major health institutions were also in attendance.
After extensive deliberations, the NEC acknowledged the reinstatement of disengaged doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and commended the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) on the outstanding 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS and accoutrement allowance arrears.
IPPIS assured the Association that efforts were ongoing to clear the arrears within two weeks.
NARD also noted that promotion and salary arrears had been forwarded to relevant authorities, with assurances from the Minister of Finance that payments would be expedited.
However, the Association expressed concern over delays in circulating the directive affirming CONMESS 3 as the approved entry level for medical doctors.
It also decried the non-payment of the Professional Allowance provided for in the 2026 Appropriation Act, as well as persistent salary arrears across several health institutions.
The Association further warned of worsening industrial relations at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and demanded urgent intervention, alongside calls for improved welfare, timely release of training funds, and renewed investment in health infrastructure nationwide.
The Government of Cross River State has reported an occurrence of COVID-19 in the state.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, made the announcement at a news conference on Tuesday in Calabar, the state capital.
According to him, the first reported case of the outbreak involved a Chinese national who worked with Lafarge and flew into the country on March 17 before falling ill.
The commissioner stated that the Chinese’s condition became worse at the medical facility under his office and had to be taken to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
He explained that at the UCTH, samples were taken and all protocols followed; it was subsequently confirmed that he had symptoms of COVID-19.
“We are, however, happy to report that he is doing well,” the commissioner said.
Ayuk said the Ministry of Health had been repositioned by the current administration to handle and manage any situation, including diseases or epidemic outbreaks.
According to him, there had been silent infections and clear cases from time to time.
“But we are determined that for every ailment, every disease or outbreak, if it is identified here in the state, there should be no alarm.
“The state will do well in terms of surveillance or containment of an outbreak. Whatever it is, we will do our best to contain it. So, there is no alarm.
“When this case was reported about three or four days ago, we decided to be careful to confirm and ensure that the processes involved in identifying and confirming every case of COVID-19 are duly followed.
“The protocols have been followed and confirmed that a 53-year-old Chinese who works in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state has COVID-19,” he said.
On her part, State Epidemiologist, Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, announced that in response to the case, the state emergency response unit had been activated.
She noted that contact tracing and line listing of persons the Chinese may have come in contact with were ongoing.
While noting that the last confirmed case of COVID-19 in Cross River was in 2022, the epidemiologist said the Chinese may have contracted the virus in Nigeria.
“The incubation period for this virus is usually between two and 14 days, but the Chinese flew into Nigeria from China on March 17 and started developing symptoms on April 10.
“This is well beyond the 14-day incubation period. Like I said, we are doing the line listing of those he may have come in contact with, as part of our containment efforts.
“We have also activated the emergency response centre and deployed rapid response teams to Akamkpa, where the victim works.
“There is no way we can stop this disease, but we can stop the disease outbreak.
“It will be wrong not to contain or manage it by ensuring that people do not die,” she stated.
Similarly, the World Health Organisation Coordinator in Cross River, Dr Yewande Olatunde, stated that the disease was still around.
Health workers under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations have staged a protest at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, voicing strong opposition to the proposed Health Sector Regulatory Bill currently before the National Assembly of Nigeria.
The demonstrators argue that the bill, if passed into law, would place all health professions under the authority of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), effectively stripping other professional bodies of their regulatory independence.
According to the protesting workers, various healthcare professions already operate under established regulatory councils, and the proposed legislation could reduce non-medical practitioners to subordinate roles within the sector.
The protesters described the move as unjust and discriminatory, warning that it could undermine the structure and balance of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The unions also revealed plans to proceed to the National Assembly complex, where they intend to formally present their concerns to lawmakers.
More details are expected as the situation unfolds.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Sunday said it uncovered a warehouse stocked with banned, substandard, and unregistered cosmetic products in Lagos.
In a statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) page, NAFDAC disclosed that the products, valued at over ₦3 billion, were discovered at the APT Trade Fair Complex.
The agency said the facility was concealed within an uncompleted building.
“NAFDAC has uncovered a warehouse stocked with banned, fake, and unregistered cosmetic products valued at over ₦3 billion at the APT Trade Fair Complex in Lagos State.
“Items recovered include 728 cartons of Crusader soap, 718 cartons of E45 soap, and Extract Gold whitening soaps, which are products banned by the Federal Government,” the statement read.
The agency further stated that additional items, including assorted perfumes, body oils, and cooking oils, were also found and placed on hold for further regulatory assessment.
It added that all seized products had been evacuated to prevent distribution, while the warehouse manager has been invited for further investigation as enforcement actions continue.
NAFDAC warned that the sale and use of such products pose serious health risks.
“Members of the public are advised to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office,” the agency added.
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