Following an emergency virtual National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Tuesday, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has decided to suspend the planned “total and comprehensive” strike.
​The association has instead issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government. This shift comes after high-level interventions from senior government officials, including the Vice President and the Ministers of Health, Labour, and Finance.
​The primary reason for the initial strike declaration was the government’s reported decision to halt the implementation of the Professional Allowance Table (PAT). This table was a key part of an agreement reached in 2025 to improve doctors’ welfare.
​Their Key Demands are the reversal of the PAT suspension, Immediate reinstatement of the agreed allowance structure. The ettlement of outstanding promotion arrears and 19 months of professional allowance arrears and release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
Most public hospitals should remain operational for the next two weeks while negotiations continue.
NARD will reassess the government’s progress at the end of this two-week window. If the demands aren’t met, the “total strike” could be reinstated.
The suspension is being described by NARD leadership as a “demonstration of goodwill” to allow the government time to honor its promises without further disrupting healthcare services for Nigerians.
