The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned total and indefinite strike after receiving fresh assurances from the Federal Government of Nigeria on salary payments and other welfare concerns affecting its members.
Despite calling off the strike, the association outlined several demands, including the sustained implementation of the reviewed Professional Allowance Table (PAT) starting with April salaries and subsequent payments. It also called for the prompt settlement of all outstanding promotion and salary arrears, as well as the speedy disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
NARD further demanded the immediate commencement of payment of 19 months’ outstanding professional allowance arrears and urged the government to convene an urgent stakeholders’ meeting to address delays in the payment of house officers’ salaries.
The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued after an emergency virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) held on Saturday. The communiqué was signed by the association’s President, Dr Mohammad Usman Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim.
According to the association, the decision to suspend the strike followed a review of recent engagements with key government officials and agencies, including the Vice President, as well as the ministries of health, labour and finance, the Budget Office, and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
NARD noted that the earlier decision to halt the implementation of the reviewed PAT had been reversed, with payments expected to reflect in April salaries. It also acknowledged renewed government commitment to clear outstanding promotion and salary arrears owed to resident doctors in affected institutions.
The communiqué further disclosed that approval had been secured for the 2026 MRTF, with assurances that the disbursement process would be completed soon. In addition, the Budget Office indicated readiness to begin payment of the outstanding allowance arrears.
However, the association expressed concern over the continued delay in the payment of house officers’ salaries, describing the issue as persistent and requiring urgent attention.
NARD added that progress on the government’s commitments would be reviewed at its May Ordinary General Meeting scheduled to be held in Kano.
