Agency News
Medical services across federal and state-owned hospitals are set to be disrupted as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) commences a nationwide strike today, April 7, 2026.
The latest action adds to a cumulative 51 days of industrial strike embarked on by resident doctors since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, a figure that has intensified concerns about the government’s ability to honour agreements with health workers.
The new strike was triggered by the Federal Government’s alleged suspension of the revised Professional Allowance Table, a key component of the deal that ended the 2025 strike. NARD described the move as “unfortunate,” accusing authorities of forcing doctors back to the trenches over yet another avoidable dispute.
Following an emergency meeting, NARD’s National Executive Council announced that members would embark on a “total and comprehensive strike” until all demands are met.
The association’s demands include:
•Immediate reinstatement of the revised allowance table
•Payment of promotion and salary arrears
•Settlement of 19 months of outstanding allowances
•Release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund
The suspended Professional Allowance Table standardises payments for call duty, shift work, and other incentives aimed at improving welfare and retaining skilled medical personnel.
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A History of Repeated Disputes
Data has showned that resident doctors have repeatedly clashed with government authorities since 2023.
•August 2023: NARD embarked on a 17-day strike over welfare concerns, inflationary pressures following fuel subsidy removal, unpaid allowances, and deteriorating working conditions.
•September 2025: Doctors staged a five-day warning strike.
•November 2025: A full industrial action followed, lasting 29 days.
Throughout this period, doctors cited poor remuneration, inadequate hospital infrastructure, delayed allowances, and an overstretched workforce caused by mass migration of health professionals to better-paying countries.
The 2025 agreement, now at the centre of the fresh crisis, introduced enhanced allowances for call duty, shift work, and rural postings—measures meant to address burnout, morale decline, and worsening attrition in the sector.
With the new strike beginning today and no clear resolution in sight, Nigerians may face significant disruption in accessing medical care, especially in tertiary health facilities.
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Abubakar Siddiq Ibn Usman