NARD Suspends Nationwide Strike, Issues Fresh Ultimatum to Federal Government
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has officially suspended its indefinite nationwide strike, instructing all members to return to work starting from 8 a.m. on Wednesday. This decision follows renewed assurances from the federal government regarding key welfare issues. NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, made the announcement on Tuesday after a critical meeting of the association's National Executive Council (NEC).
Conditional Suspension Based on Government Commitments
Dr. Suleiman clarified that the suspension is conditional and hinges on the government's pledge to reverse its earlier decision to halt the implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table (PAT). This revised PAT was originally scheduled to take effect from April 2026. The association's leadership emphasized that this move by the government had prompted the initial strike declaration, as it was perceived as a breach of a prior agreement.
However, NARD has issued a fresh ultimatum to the federal government, setting April 21 as the strict deadline for full compliance with all its demands. Dr. Suleiman warned that failure to meet these terms within the stipulated period would leave the doctors with no alternative but to resume industrial action immediately. This ultimatum adds a layer of urgency to the ongoing negotiations.
Background of the Industrial Dispute
The strike was initially declared in protest against the federal government's plan to discontinue the implementation of the revised PAT. This allowance table is a crucial component of an agreement reached in 2025 after a prolonged industrial dispute between NARD and the government. Under that landmark agreement, resident doctors were to benefit from significantly improved remuneration packages.
These enhancements included increased call duty and shift allowances, incentives for rural postings, and payments for non-clinical duties. Although implementation was first slated for January 2026 and later postponed to February, NARD alleged that the government intended to halt the process entirely by April. The association described this move as a severe breach of trust and a direct violation of previously agreed terms.
Comprehensive List of Demands
In addition to the immediate reversal of the PAT decision, NARD is demanding several other critical actions from the federal government. These include:
- The prompt payment of all outstanding promotion arrears owed to doctors across various medical centers.
- The settlement of salary arrears that have accumulated for doctors in specific institutions.
- The expedited disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund to support ongoing medical education and training programs.
The association insists on the immediate reinstatement of the revised allowance structure and the payment of all pending entitlements to restore confidence and ensure fair compensation for its members.
Impact on Nigeria's Healthcare System
This development offers temporary relief to Nigeria's already strained healthcare system, which has faced repeated disruptions due to industrial actions by medical professionals over welfare and funding concerns. The suspension allows hospitals to resume normal operations and provide essential services to patients.
However, significant uncertainty remains as the April 21 deadline approaches. The healthcare sector remains on edge, awaiting the federal government's full compliance to avert another potential strike that could further destabilize medical services nationwide. The outcome of this ultimatum will be closely monitored by all stakeholders in the health sector.
