By Ayomide Otitoju
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Tuesday announced the suspension of its planned strike following an agreement with the Federal Government on key demands, including the payment of outstanding allowances and improvements in doctors’ welfare.
The decision came after an emergency meeting of NARD’s National Executive Council (NEC), where members reviewed assurances from government representatives and resolved to allow dialogue to continue.
In a communique, the NEC stated:
“In recognition of ongoing high-level interventions and as a demonstration of goodwill, the NEC hereby suspends the previously declared Total, Indefinite, and Comprehensive Strike action.”
The association cited “progress made” in negotiations, particularly commitments to the prompt payment of salary arrears, hazard allowances, and steps toward resolving issues surrounding the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
While the dispute is not yet fully resolved, NARD noted that the government has shown “renewed willingness” to address the concerns that triggered the strike threat.
The NEC set a two-week ultimatum for the government to implement concrete, measurable, and verifiable steps to meet all outstanding demands, which include:
Immediate reversal of the decision to halt implementation of the reviewed Professional Allowance Table (PAT)
Payment of all outstanding promotion and salary arrears owed to resident doctors
Prompt conclusion and disbursement of the 2026 MRTF
Full payment of 19 months’ arrears of the Professional Allowance
The NEC warned that it would reconvene immediately after the two-week period to assess compliance and determine further action. Should the government fail to meet these demands, the NEC stated it would resume the suspended Total, Indefinite, and Comprehensive Strike without further notice.
Resident doctors in Nigeria have repeatedly clashed with the Federal Government over welfare issues, including irregular salary payments, inadequate hazard allowances, and poor hospital infrastructure. These recurring disputes have contributed to a brain drain in the health sector, as many Nigerian doctors seek opportunities abroad.
