The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has suspended its indefinite nationwide strike, directing members to resume duties from 8 a.m. on Wednesday following renewed assurances from the Federal Government.
The decision was announced on Tuesday by NARD President, Mohammad Usman Suleiman, after a meeting of the association’s National Executive Council.
Suleiman said the suspension was hinged on the government’s commitment to reverse its earlier decision to halt the implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table, a key component of the agreement reached between both parties in 2025.
He, however, stressed that the action was conditional, warning that the association had issued a fresh ultimatum to the government, with April 21 set as the deadline for full compliance with its demands.
According to him, failure by the government to meet the terms within the stipulated timeframe would compel the doctors to resume the suspended industrial action.
The resident doctors had embarked on the strike to protest what they described as the Federal Government’s plan to discontinue the implementation of the revised allowance structure scheduled to take effect in April 2026.
The association said the move contravened the agreement earlier reached after a prolonged industrial dispute, under which doctors were to benefit from improved welfare packages, including enhanced call duty and shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and remuneration for non-clinical duties.
Although implementation of the agreement was initially slated for January 2026 and later shifted to February, NARD alleged that the government intended to halt the process entirely, a development it described as a breach of trust.
Beyond the reversal of the allowance policy, the association is also demanding the immediate payment of outstanding promotion arrears and salary shortfalls affecting doctors in some centres.
It further called for the prompt release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund to support the training and development of resident doctors across the country.
The suspension of the strike offers temporary relief to Nigeria’s fragile healthcare system, which has been repeatedly disrupted by industrial actions linked to welfare concerns and funding challenges.
However, uncertainty persists within the sector as stakeholders await the government’s response ahead of the April 21 deadline.
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