The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its indefinite nationwide strike, directing its members to resume work from 8 a.m. on Wednesday following fresh assurances from the federal government.
NARD President, Mohammad Usman Suleiman, announced the decision on Tuesday after a meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC). He said the suspension was based on the government’s commitment to reverse its decision to halt the implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table (PAT), which was scheduled to take effect from April 2026.
He, however, noted that the suspension is conditional, as the association has issued a fresh ultimatum to the federal government, setting April 21 as the deadline for full compliance with its demands. He warned that failure to meet the terms within the stipulated period would leave the doctors with no option but to resume industrial action.
The strike was initially declared in protest against the federal government’s plan to discontinue the implementation of the revised PAT, a key component of an agreement reached in 2025 after a prolonged industrial dispute between NARD and the government.
Under that agreement, resident doctors were to benefit from improved remuneration, including enhanced call duty and shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and payments for non-clinical duties. Although implementation was first slated for January 2026 and later shifted to February, the association alleged that the government intended to halt the process entirely by April.
NARD described the move as a breach of trust and a violation of previously agreed terms, insisting on the immediate reinstatement of the allowance structure and payment of all outstanding entitlements.
In addition to the reversal of the PAT decision, the association is also demanding the prompt payment of promotion arrears and salary arrears owed to doctors in certain centres. It further called for the expedited disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.
The development offers temporary relief to Nigeria’s healthcare system, which has faced repeated disruptions due to industrial actions by medical professionals over welfare and funding concerns. However, uncertainty remains as the April 21 deadline approaches.
The Guardian
