…as FG moves to stop professional allowance implementation
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike over the federal government’s plan to halt the implementation of the revised professional allowance table (PAT).
Shuaibu Ibrahim, NARD’s secretary-general, announced the decision after the association’s virtual extraordinary national executive council (NEC) meeting held on Saturday.
Ibrahim said the strike will begin at 12am on Tuesday, April 7.
The NARD’s secretary-general described the development as “unfortunate”, accusing the federal government of pushing doctors into another industrial action.
“The national executive council was informed about the federal government’s decision to remove the professional allowance table, a development deemed unfortunate,” he said.
“Following extensive deliberations, the NEC resolved to embark on a total industrial and comprehensive strike beginning at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.”
The crisis stems from the implementation of a revised professional allowance table agreed between NARD and the federal government after a prolonged strike in 2025.
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The agreement included improved remuneration for resident doctors, covering call duty allowances, shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and non-clinical duty payments.
Although the implementation was initially scheduled for January 2026 and later shifted to February, NARD alleged that the government now plans to discontinue the process by April.
The association said the move undermines trust and violates prior agreements.
NARD demanded an immediate reversal of the decision and payment of all outstanding entitlements.
“We demand the reversal of the decision to cease the implementation of the PAT starting in April 2026,” Ibrahim said.
“There must be immediate payment of promotion arrears and salary arrears for specific centres, as well as the prompt conclusion of the process of paying the 2026 medical residency training fund.
“We also insist on the immediate processing and payment of the outstanding 19 months’ arrears of the professional allowance.”
The association called on its members nationwide to remain united and pursue the action to a “logical conclusion”.
