The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) will begin an indefinite nationwide strike at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The decision follows the Federal Government's move to halt implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table, a key part of agreements reached after NARD's 2025 industrial action. The strike was approved during a virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held on Saturday. It is expected to disrupt medical services across public hospitals nationwide.
In a statement signed by National President Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, NARD described the government's reversal as "unfortunate" and said it left the association with no option but to resume industrial action. The revised allowance structure was meant to improve payments for call duties, shift work, rural postings, and non-clinical responsibilities. Implementation was initially due in January 2026 but was delayed to February. NARD claims the government now intends to discontinue the process by April, breaching prior agreements. The association demands an immediate reversal and payment of all outstanding entitlements.
Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim is once again leading resident doctors into a strike they were promised to avoid. The government's abrupt reversal on the 2025 agreement, particularly the Professional Allowance Table meant to take effect by January 2026, exposes how little institutional trust exists between medical unions and the executive. When policy shifts are made months after implementation has begun, it doesn't just disrupt hospitals—it signals that even signed agreements are temporary. For Nigerians, this means another round of closed wards and delayed care, with no guarantee the next deal will last longer.
