Nigerian Resident Medical doctors Droop Strike, Problem April 21 Ultimatum Over Allowance Dispute
The Nigerian Affiliation of Resident Medical doctors (NARD) has suspended its indefinite nationwide strike and directed its members to renew duties at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
Talking on Tuesday after a gathering of the affiliation’s Nationwide Government Council (NEC), NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, stated the choice adopted recent assurances from the federal authorities over disputed welfare points.
Suleiman stated the affiliation had obtained assurances concerning the reversal of the federal government’s resolution to cease the implementation of the Skilled Allowance Desk (PAT), which was scheduled to take impact from April 2026.
He defined that the suspension of the strike was primarily based on the expectation that the federal government would absolutely implement agreed phrases, warning that the affiliation wouldn’t hesitate to renew industrial motion if commitments weren’t honoured.
In accordance with him, NARD has issued a brand new ultimatum to the federal authorities, giving it till April 21 to handle excellent calls for, after which one other strike motion would change into inevitable if there isn’t a compliance.
The docs had launched into the indefinite strike in response to the federal authorities’s plan to halt the implementation of the revised PAT. The allowance construction had earlier been agreed upon after a chronic strike in 2025.
The Bargain included improved remuneration for resident docs, masking name responsibility allowances, shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and non-clinical responsibility funds.
Though implementation was initially scheduled for January 2026 and later moved to February, NARD alleged that the federal government subsequently moved to discontinue the method by April, a growth the affiliation stated undermined belief and violated earlier agreements.
The affiliation can also be demanding the speedy reversal of the choice, fee of all excellent entitlements, settlement of promotion and wage arrears for affected centres, and completion of the method for fee of the 2026 medical residency coaching fund.
Boluwatife Enome
Times Nigeria