Nigeria’s Resident Doctors Announce Indefinite Nationwide Strike

Resident doctors across Nigeria have declared an indefinite nationwide strike following a dispute with the federal government over the implementation of a revised professional allowance structure.

The decision was announced by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors after an extrNigerian Association of Resident Doctorsy. According to the association’s secretary-general, Shuaibu Ibrahim, the strike is scheduled to begin at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026Shuaibu Ibrahimigeria plans to halt the implementation of the revised professional allowance table (PAT), an agreement previouslFederal Government of Nigeria.

Ibrahim described the development as a setback, stating that the government’s decision had prompted the association to take action after internal deliberations.

The revised allowance structure was designed to improve remuneration for resident doctors, including payments for call duties, shift work, rural postings, and non-clinical responsibilities. Although implementation was initially scheduled for January 2026 and later postponed to February, the association claims the process is now set to be discontinued by April.

NARD maintains that the move breaches prior agreements and erodes trust between both parties. The association is calling for an immediate reversal of the decision, alongside the settlement of outstanding financial obligations.

Among its demands are the payment of promotion and salary arrears in affected centres, the completion of payments for the 2026 medical residency training fund, and the settlement of 19 months of unpaid professional allowance arrears.

The association has urged its members nationwide to remain united as the strike proceeds.