The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its indefinite nationwide strike on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, directing all members to resume work at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
NARD President Mohammad Usman Suleiman said the decision follows assurances from the federal government to reverse its plan to halt the implementation of the Professional Allowance Table (PAT) starting April 2026.
However, Suleiman warned that the association has set a two-week ultimatum, giving the government until April 21 to meet their demands.
He stressed that failure to comply would inevitably trigger another strike.
The doctors had previously declared an indefinite strike in protest against the federal government’s plan to discontinue the revised PAT, which had been agreed upon after a prolonged strike in 2025.
Related News:
Resident Doctors Announce Nationwide Strike Starting Tomorrow
Resident doctors declare indefinite strike, shutdown hospitals nationwide
FG: Resident Doctors’ Strike Rooted in Policy, Not Neglect
NUC upgrades pharmacy, physiotherapy, optometry degrees to doctor status
Resident Doctors Call Off Planned Indefinite Strike as FG Steps In
The agreement included improved pay for resident doctors, covering call duty allowances, shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and non-clinical duty payments.
Initially set for implementation in January 2026 and later postponed to February, NARD claimed the government’s latest decision undermines trust and violates prior agreements.
In addition to the PAT, NARD demanded the immediate payment of promotion and salary arrears for specific centres and the prompt conclusion of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund disbursement.
The suspension of the strike comes as a temporary relief for patients nationwide, but the doctors’ warning indicates that industrial action could resume if their conditions are not met.
About the Author
