The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced an indefinite nationwide strike beginning at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The decision follows the Federal Government’s move to halt the implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table (PAT), a key component of agreements reached after the association’s 2025 industrial action.

The strike action was resolved at the end of NARD’s virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Saturday.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the association, through its Secretary-General and National President, Shuaibu Ibrahim, described the government’s action as “unfortunate” and warned it could further destabilise Nigeria’s already fragile healthcare system.

The NEC said it deliberated extensively on the development and agreed to commence a “total and comprehensive strike” from midnight on April 7 if the decision is not reversed.

NARD is demanding the immediate reinstatement of the Professional Allowance Table, noting that its planned cessation from April 2026 undermines agreed welfare structures for resident doctors nationwide.

The association also called for the payment of promotion and salary arrears owed to its members in some centres, stating that delays have worsened the financial burden on doctors.

It further urged the Federal Government to conclude the process for the payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MTRF), stressing that the fund is critical to the training and development of resident doctors.

Additionally, NARD demanded the settlement of 19 months’ outstanding arrears of the Professional Allowance under the PAT.

According to Ibrahim, the crisis stems from the implementation of the revised allowance structure negotiated after the prolonged 2025 strike, which covered call duty allowances, shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and non-clinical duty payments.

He noted that although implementation was initially scheduled for January 2026, it was delayed to February, and the government now plans to discontinue it by April—an action the association says violates prior agreements and undermines trust.

NARD appealed to its members nationwide to remain united and committed, insisting the planned strike is necessary to address persistent challenges in the health sector.

The development is expected to disrupt healthcare services across public hospitals in Nigeria, where resident doctors make up a significant portion of the workforce.