The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned indefinite nationwide strike following fresh commitments by the federal government to address long-standing welfare concerns, including the restoration of the Professional Allowance Table (PAT) and payment of outstanding arrears.
In a communiqué issued after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday, the association said the decision followed high-level interventions and renewed assurances from key government officials on critical issues affecting resident doctors.
NARD said it reviewed engagements involving the Vice President, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Minister of Labour and Employment, the Coordinating Minister of Finance, as well as the Budget Office, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, IPPIS, the Nigerian Medical Association, and the Department of State Services.
The council noted that the earlier suspension of the reviewed Professional Allowance Table had been reversed, with implementation expected to reflect in April salaries and continue subsequently. It also acknowledged the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to pay outstanding promotion and salary arrears owed to doctors in affected institutions.
The NEC further observed that initial approval had been secured for the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, alongside assurances that the disbursement process would be finalised. It added that the Budget Office had indicated readiness to commence payment of 19 months’ arrears of the professional allowance.
However, the doctors expressed concern over the persistent delay in the payment of house officers’ salaries, describing it as an issue requiring urgent resolution.
Based on these developments, the association demanded sustained implementation of the reviewed allowance structure, prompt payment of all outstanding arrears, expedited disbursement of the residency training fund, and immediate action on the backlog of professional allowance payments.
It also called for an urgent stakeholders’ meeting to address delays in house officers’ salaries.
“In light of the above developments, the NEC resolves to suspend the proposed total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike action,” the communiqué stated, adding that progress on the agreements would be reviewed at its next Ordinary General Meeting scheduled for May in Kano.
The association expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and several ministers, lawmakers, and government officials for their interventions in averting the strike.
NARD had earlier threatened industrial action over the federal government’s reversal of the reviewed allowance structure and other welfare issues, raising concerns about the potential impact on healthcare delivery nationwide.