The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike following renewed commitments from the federal government to address key welfare concerns.
The decision was taken during a virtual emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on April 25.
The association had earlier commenced a strike on April 7 but halted the action the same day, giving the government a two-week window to respond to its demands.
In a communiqué issued after the latest meeting, NARD said it assessed interventions from senior government officials and agencies, including the vice-president, ministers of health, labour and finance, as well as the budget office and the office of the accountant-general of the federation.
The doctors noted progress in some areas, particularly the reversal of the earlier suspension of the reviewed Professional Allowance Table.
According to the communiqué, the implementation is expected to take effect in April salaries and continue subsequently.
The association also acknowledged that “the Federal Government has renewed its commitment to the payment of all outstanding promotion arrears and salary arrears owed to resident doctors in affected institutions”.
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On training support, the NEC disclosed that “initial approval has been secured for the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), with a firm commitment to conclude and finalise the disbursement process”.
It added that the budget office had indicated readiness to begin payment of “the outstanding nineteen (19) months’ arrears of the Professional Allowance.”
Despite these developments, the association expressed concern over unresolved issues affecting certain categories of doctors, particularly delays in the payment of house officers’ salaries.
Following deliberations, NARD outlined key expectations from the government, including the sustained implementation of the reviewed allowance structure and the immediate settlement of all outstanding arrears.
The association also called for “the expedited conclusion and full disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF)”, and “the immediate commencement and timely completion of the process for the payment of the outstanding nineteen (19) months’ arrears of the Professional Allowance”.
In addition, it urged authorities to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to address the persistent delays in the payment of house officers.
“In light of the above developments, the NEC resolves to suspend the proposed Total, Indefinite, and Comprehensive Strike action, with a review of progress to be undertaken at the May Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) in Kano,” the communiqué reads.