The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced an indefinite nationwide strike starting at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
The group says the action is in response to the Federal Government’s plan to stop the revised Professional Allowance Table.
The decision came after the association’s virtual National Executive Council meeting on Saturday.
After the meeting, NARD National President Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim called the situation unfortunate and said the Federal Government was pushing doctors toward another strike.
Ibrahim said, “The National Executive Council was informed about the Federal Government’s decision to remove the Professional Allowance Table, a development deemed unfortunate.
“Following extensive deliberations, the NEC resolved to embark oni a total industrial and comprehensive strike beginning at 12:00 am on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.”
The crisis began after doctors and the Federal Government agreed on a new Professional Allowance Table following the union’s 2025 strike.
The agreement offered better pay for resident doctors, including higher call duty and shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and payments for non-clinical duties.
The new terms were supposed to start in January 2026, but delays pushed the rollout to February.
However, NARD claimed that the government planned to stop the new payments by April, which they said would break earlier agreements and damage trust.
Ibrahim, while outlining the union’s demands, called on the government to reverse its decision and settle outstanding entitlements owed to doctors.
He further stated, “We demand the reversal of the decision to cease the implementation of the PAT starting in April 2026.
“There must be immediate payment of promotion arrears and salary arrears in affected centres, as well as the prompt conclusion of the process of paying the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.”
He also demanded the payment of long-standing arrears owed to resident doctors.
Ibrahim said, “We also insist on the immediate processing and payment of the outstanding 19 months’ arrears of the Professional Allowance.”
The NARD president urged members nationwide to remain united during the industrial action.
“The NARD leadership calls on its members to unite in the fight against this injustice and to pursue it to a logical conclusion,” he added.
