The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has launched an indefinite nationwide strike in response to the federal government’s plan to stop the implementation of the new professional allowance table (PAT).
NARD’s secretary-general, Shuaibu Ibrahim, announced the decision following the association’s virtual emergency national executive council (NEC) meeting on Saturday.
Ibrahim said the strike will begin at 12 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7.
The NARD secretary-general described the development as “unfortunate,” blaming the federal government of pressuring doctors into another strike.
“The national executive council was informed about the federal government’s decision to remove the professional allowance table, a development deemed unfortunate,” he said.
“Following extensive deliberations, the NEC resolved to embark on a total industrial and comprehensive strike beginning at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.”
The situation originates from the implementation of a new professional allowance table reached between NARD and the federal government following a lengthy strike in 2025.
The agreement offered increased compensation for resident doctors, including call duty allowances, shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and non-clinical duty payments.
Although the implementation was originally set for January 2026 and then moved to February, NARD claims that the government now intends to end the process by April.
The association stated that the move weakens trust and violates previous agreements.
NARD urged that the ruling be reversed immediately, as well as payment of all pending claims.
“We demand the reversal of the decision to cease the implementation of the PAT starting in April 2026,” Ibrahim said.
“There must be immediate payment of promotion arrears and salary arrears for specific centres, as well as the prompt conclusion of the process of paying the 2026 medical residency training fund.
“We also insist on the immediate processing and payment of the outstanding 19 months’ arrears of the professional allowance.”
The association urged its members across the country to stick together and pursue this action to a “logical conclusion.”
