Resident doctors suspend planned strike after FG commitments on allowances, arrears

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned indefinite nationwide strike following fresh commitments by the Federal Government on allowances, arrears, and training funding.

The resident doctors announced this via a communique issued at the end of an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

The communique was signed by the President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman; the Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim; and the Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Abdulmajid Ibrahim.

The resident doctors said the suspension followed high-level engagements with key government officials and stakeholders.

NARD stated that the NEC meeting reviewed the outcomes of interventions by the Vice President, as well as the Ministers of Health, Labour, and Finance.

The association also considered engagements with key agencies, including the Budget Office, the Office of the Accountant General, and IPPIS.

Other stakeholders involved in the engagements included the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Department of State Services (DSS), among others in the health and public service sectors.

NARD noted that its earlier decision to embark on a total and indefinite strike arose from the federal government’s reversal of the implementation of the reviewed Professional Allowance Table (PAT) and other welfare concerns.

However, the resident doctors said the decision to halt the implementation of the reviewed PAT had been reversed, with implementation expected to reflect in April salaries and subsequent months.

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NARD disclosed that the federal government had renewed its commitment to the payment of all outstanding promotion arrears and salary arrears owed to resident doctors in affected institutions nationwide.

On the basis of these developments, the resident doctors resolved to suspend the proposed strike action, noting that progress would be reviewed at NARD’s May Ordinary General Meeting scheduled to be held in Kano.

They demanded sustained implementation of the reviewed PAT as reflected in April salaries and in subsequent months.

They also called for the prompt payment of all outstanding promotion arrears and salary arrears, in line with the federal government’s renewed commitments to resident doctors.

The resident doctors further demanded the expedited conclusion and full disbursement of the 2026 MRTF following the initial approval already secured.

NARD called for the immediate commencement and timely completion of the process for the payment of the outstanding 19 months’ arrears of the allowance.

NARD also urged the convening of an urgent stakeholders’ meeting to address and resolve the delay in the payment of house officers’ salaries.

The resident doctors added that they would continue to monitor implementation closely and take further decisions based on progress made before its next statutory meeting