NEWS
FG, Resident Doctors Reach Truce as NARD Suspends Planned Strike
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike following a high-level meeting with the Federal Government at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The breakthrough came after a three-hour meeting convened by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and attended by key government officials, including the Ministers of Labour and Employment, Health and Social Welfare, Finance, as well as senior officials from the Budget Office, the Office of the Accountant-General, and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
ALSO READ: Nationwide Relief as Resident Doctors Call Off Strike
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, said the discussions resulted in firm commitments from the Federal Government to address the association’s longstanding grievances.
“Today, I can tell you, our matters are solved,” Suleiman declared.
He explained that both parties agreed on clear timelines for resolving outstanding salary, promotion and allowance issues that had prompted the association to threaten industrial action.
According to him, the government also committed to implementing agreed measures on meal allowances at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) within a week.
On the issue of delayed salaries for house officers, Suleiman disclosed that the Presidency had issued a standing directive to ensure prompt payment.
“In fact, he has given a standing order that before the 10th of every month, salaries of house officers must be paid,” he said.
The NARD president also revealed that the Federal Government had directed the Ministries of Labour and Health to fast-track negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement so that any agreed terms can be reflected in the 2027 budget.
Beyond welfare concerns, the meeting also addressed the growing incidents of violence against healthcare workers. Suleiman disclosed that 31 doctors and more than 20 other health workers had been assaulted in the past 10 months.
To tackle the trend, he said the Ministry of Health would strengthen security in hospitals and launch public awareness campaigns against attacks on health personnel.
He further disclosed that the Chief of Staff had pledged to champion legislation that would classify assaults on health workers as an aggravated offence.
“The Chief of Staff has taken it upon himself to introduce legislation so that the National Assembly can come in with something that will make assault on health workers an aggravated offence. We are very glad with that. We think it will send the right signal that health workers should not be assaulted,” Suleiman said.
Addressing the long-running dispute over unpaid hazard and specialist allowances, Suleiman explained that although the Federal Government corrected payment shortfalls in February 2026, a 19-month backlog dating back to July 2024 remains unresolved.
Despite expressing confidence in the outcome of the meeting, Suleiman said the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) would take the final decision on formally calling off the planned strike.
“I have National Executive Council members. I will have a conversation. I have to report all of this back. We sit down. We take a decision.
“The point is, the person that called us for this conversation has never failed resident doctors. That is what I am emphasising.”
NARD had earlier threatened to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike from August 10 if the Federal Government failed to address outstanding salary arrears, welfare concerns and other unresolved issues affecting its members.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in collaboration with Zeconia Global Investment CO. Ltd, has successfully completed the Training on Digital Oilfield Operation & Data Analytics for 50 participants in Lagos State.
The 5-day intensive capacity-building program, which was held from September 28 to October 2, 2026 in Lagos, came to a successful close with participants equipped with cutting-edge digital skills for the oil and gas industry.
The training was designed to bridge the digital gap in the sector, exposing beneficiaries to practical knowledge on digital oilfield architecture, production optimization, real-time data monitoring, IoT applications, predictive analytics, and data-driven decision making in upstream operations.
READ ALSO: 40 Oil Blocks up for Grabs as NUPRC Opens 2026 Bid Round
At the closing ceremony, the Managing Director of Zeconia Global Investment Co. Ltd, Olawore Oladipupo, conducted the official handover to participants, applauding their commitment, active participation and eagerness to learn throughout the duration of the training.
He charged them to leverage the knowledge gained to add value to the industry and position themselves for emerging opportunities in the digital energy space.
Participants expressed profound appreciation to NCDMB and Zeconia Global for the life-changing opportunity, describing the training as impactful, practical and timely for the evolving global oil and gas landscape.
The programme once again demonstrates NCDMB’s unwavering commitment to human capital development, local content growth and strategic partnerships aimed at empowering Nigerians with relevant skills for the future of work.
As the Nigerian government intensifies efforts to lure fresh investment into the upstream sector, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has unveiled 40 oil blocks for the 2026 licensing round.
The blocks, located across land, shallow water and deepwater terrains, will be open to investors with the technical competence, financial capacity and commitment to develop Nigeria’s petroleum resources.
The NUPRC Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, announced the licensing round during her closing remarks at the commission’s fifth anniversary celebration in Abuja on Tuesday.
READ ALSO: Middle East Push, G7’s Strategic Reserve Release Arrest Oil Prices
She disclosed that the exercise has the blessings of both President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the wait is over. It is with great joy that I announce that pursuant to the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian 2026 Licensing Round is hereby announced,” Eyesan said.
She said the round would offer 40 blocks across land, shallow water and deepwater terrains to investors with the requisite technical and financial capacity.
Eyesan said the 2026 bid round would introduce enhanced transparency measures, including mandatory disclosure of the beneficial owners of every bidder.
She added that the commission would provide greater disclosure of the evaluation methodology and results, stressing that transparency and predictability were essential to attracting upstream investment.
According to her, competition for upstream capital had become increasingly intense as investors now had multiple jurisdictions from which to choose.
“We will not rest on our oars. Competition for upstream capital is fierce, and it grows fiercer by the day. Investors have choices. They go where the rules are clear, where the process is predictable and where data can be trusted,” she said.
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed deep sadness over the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State that claimed 25 lives.
Atiku disclosed this in a statement posted on X on Tuesday, describing the tragedy as heartbreaking and extending his condolences to the families of the victims and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, with registration number NGR 931, crashed in the Inbound area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
ALSO READ: Moment Military Aircraft Crashes During Airshow Near Athens (Video)
The aircraft disappeared from radar after air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m.
Its wreckage was later located near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, where search-and-rescue operations were launched.
The Nigerian Air Force subsequently confirmed that 25 people were on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, with no survivors.
Reacting to the tragedy, Atiku said the scale and circumstances of the crash were heartbreaking.
“Among those who lost their lives were airmen, soldiers and members of their families,” he said.
He added that the victims included people whose lives were dedicated to service, as well as families and individuals whose lives were cut short in the tragedy.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of all the deceased,” Atiku said.
He noted that no words could adequately comfort parents who had lost their children, children who had lost their parents, or families suddenly deprived of their loved ones.
Atiku also extended his heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and the Armed Forces of Nigeria, as well as the governments and people of Nigeria and Ondo State.
He prayed that Almighty God would grant eternal rest to the souls of the departed, comfort their grieving families and give the Nigerian Air Force and the nation the strength to bear the painful loss.
NUPRC Outlines Major Offshore Investment Pipelines
NCDMB, Zeconia Global Train 50 on Digital Oilfield Operations
40 Oil Blocks up for Grabs as NUPRC Opens 2026 Bid Round
Middle East Push, G7’s Strategic Reserve Release Arrest Oil Prices
Petrol, Diesel Prices Rise 86% in Eight Months – Report
NNPC Ltd Celebrates Second Year of Zero Voluntary Resignations
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
