Resident Doctors Announce Nationwide Strike Starting Tomorrow -

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced that resident doctors across the country will begin a nationwide strike from Tuesday, April 7.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the association’s Secretary General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, said the decision followed extensive consultations among members and was influenced by the Federal Government’s recent review of the Professional Allowance Table policy.

The resolution was reached during an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually, where members agreed on the need for collective action while still leaving room for continued dialogue with the government.

According to NARD, the strike will commence at 12 a.m. on Tuesday and will involve resident doctors working in federal, state, and private health institutions nationwide.

The association stressed the importance of reinstating the Professional Allowance Table, describing it as essential for improving doctors’ welfare, boosting morale, and retaining skilled professionals within Nigeria’s healthcare system.

It also called for the immediate payment of outstanding promotion and salary arrears, expressing hope that ongoing negotiations would lead to meaningful outcomes for both healthcare workers and patients.

Additionally, NARD urged the timely release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, noting that increased funding would strengthen training, enhance professional development, and improve overall healthcare capacity.

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The association reiterated the need to clear all outstanding allowances, stating that doing so would ease financial burdens on doctors and reinforce their commitment to service.

While affirming its willingness to continue engaging with authorities, NARD said the strike aims to secure fair treatment, better working conditions, and a more effective healthcare system.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Professional Allowance Table is designed to standardize doctors’ pay and ensure consistency across the healthcare sector.

Observers say ongoing discussions between NARD and the Federal Government could still provide a pathway to resolving the dispute and maintaining uninterrupted healthcare services nationwide.