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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called off its planned indefinite nationwide strike. The association’s president, Mohammad Usman Suleiman, said on Tuesday that the decision was reached after a meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC), adding that doctors have been directed to resume work on Wednesday.
Suleiman explained that the decision followed assurances from the Nigerian Government that it would reverse its plan to stop the implementation of the Professional Allowance Table (PAT) in April 2026.
He added that the association has given the government until April 21 to meet its demands and warned that another strike may begin if there’s no effective action by the deadline.
Previously, the Nigerian Government and NARD had agreed on a revised allowance structure after a prolonged strike in 2025. The agreement included improved pay for resident doctors, such as call duty allowances, shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and payments for non-clinical duties. Due to the non-implementation of these demands, the doctors embarked on an indefinite strike.
Although the implementation was initially scheduled for January 2026 and later moved to February, the association concluded that the government plans to halt the process by April.
NARD stated that this decision goes against earlier agreements and weakens trust. The association has called for an immediate reversal of the decision and payment of all outstanding allowances.
Additionally, the doctors demand payment of promotion arrears and salary arrears in some centres, and the timely release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.
