The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared a total and indefinite nationwide strike beginning at midnight on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, escalating tensions with the Federal Government over doctors’ welfare.
The planned action follows allegations that the government intends to halt the implementation of the Professional Allowance Table (PAT), a key agreement reached after the doctors’ 2025 industrial action.
NARD said the revised allowance structure covering call duty, shift, non-clinical, and rural posting allowances was due to take effect in January 2026 but only commenced in February. The association now claims authorities are moving to suspend it by April.
In a strongly worded statement titled “FG Drags NARD to Another Avoidable Strike,” Secretary-General Shuaibu Ibrahim described the development as “unfortunate and avoidable,” urging the government to reverse course immediately.
Beyond the PAT dispute, the doctors’ union listed several outstanding demands, including payment of promotion arrears, settlement of salary backlogs in affected centres, and swift completion of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
NARD also insisted on the payment of 19 months’ outstanding professional allowance arrears, warning that failure to act could further cripple Nigeria’s already strained healthcare system.
The association called on its members across the country to remain united, signalling its determination to pursue the matter until its demands are fully met.
The looming strike raises fresh concerns about disruptions to healthcare services nationwide, with patients likely to bear the brunt if talks fail.
