Resident doctors across Nigeria are set for a nationwide shutdown as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) moves to commence a strike over suspended allowances and unmet government commitments.
NARD announced plans to commence a nationwide strike, citing the federal government’s decision to suspend the implementation of the Professional Allowance Table (PAT) and failure to meet longstanding financial obligations to its members.
The decision was disclosed in a communiqué issued at the end of a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday, April 4.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Shuaibu Ibrahim, NARD described the government’s decision on the PAT as “unfortunate” and a significant setback to efforts to improve the welfare of resident doctors.
NARD said its members would embark on a “total and comprehensive industrial action” beginning at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
The association outlined some demands it expects the federal government to address as a condition for suspending the strike.
These include the immediate reversal of the decision to discontinue the PAT from April 2026, payment of promotion and salary arrears owed to doctors in affected centres, and the prompt conclusion of the process for disbursing the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
It also demanded the immediate payment of outstanding arrears of the professional allowance, which it said had accumulated over a period of 19 months.
The association urged its members to stand together in opposing the injustice and to ensure the matter is pursued to a proper conclusion.
