Nigerian Resident Doctors Launch Nationwide Indefinite Strike Over Allowance Dispute
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced a total and indefinite nationwide strike, set to commence at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. This drastic action is in response to allegations that the Federal Government plans to halt the implementation of the Professional Allowance Table (PAT), a key agreement reached after the 2025 strike.
Background of the Allowance Table Dispute
NARD had successfully negotiated a revised Professional Allowance Table, which includes enhanced call duty, shift, non-clinical, and rural posting allowances. Implementation was initially scheduled for January 2026 but began in February. However, the association now claims that the government intends to discontinue this process in April, sparking widespread concern among medical professionals.
In a statement titled "FG Drags NARD to Another Avoidable Strike," issued following a virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council (e-NEC) meeting on April 4, 2026, NARD Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim described the situation as unfortunate and avoidable. He called for an immediate reversal of the decision to suspend the PAT implementation, emphasizing the critical need for fair compensation for resident doctors across Nigeria.
Additional Demands and Union Resolve
Beyond the allowance issue, NARD has outlined several other demands. These include the payment of promotion arrears and outstanding salary arrears in affected centers, as well as the prompt conclusion of the process for the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF). The association also insists on the immediate processing and payment of 19 months' outstanding arrears related to the Professional Allowance.
Dr. Ibrahim urged all NARD members nationwide to remain united, stressing the association's determination to pursue this matter to a logical conclusion. The strike underscores ongoing tensions between healthcare workers and the government over welfare and funding issues, potentially impacting medical services across the country.
This development follows previous industrial actions by NARD, highlighting persistent challenges in Nigeria's healthcare sector. The association's move aims to pressure the government into honoring prior agreements and addressing long-standing grievances to ensure better working conditions for resident doctors.
