By Deborah Nnamdi
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has announced an indefinite nationwide strike scheduled to commence at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, following a dispute with the Federal Government over the implementation of agreed allowances.
The decision was reached at the end of the association’s virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held on Saturday.
The strike comes in response to the Federal Government’s move to halt the implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table, a key component of agreements reached after the association’s 2025 industrial action.
In a statement signed by its National President, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, the association described the development as “unfortunate,” accusing the government of forcing doctors into another round of industrial action.
According to Ibrahim, the revised allowance structure was negotiated to improve the remuneration of resident doctors, including provisions for call duty allowances, shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and payments for non-clinical duties.
He explained that although implementation was initially slated for January 2026, it was delayed until February, adding that the government now plans to discontinue the process by April.
The association warned that the move undermines trust and violates previously reached agreements, stressing that it would significantly affect healthcare delivery nationwide.
NARD, therefore, called on the Federal Government to immediately reverse its decision and settle all outstanding entitlements owed to resident doctors.
