JUST IN: Resident Doctors Suspend Planned Nationwide Strike

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced the suspension of its planned nationwide strike following renewed engagements with the Federal Government over key welfare concerns.

The decision was reached on Tuesday after an emergency meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC), where members reviewed assurances from government representatives on pressing issues such as unpaid allowances and improved working conditions.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, NARD said the suspension reflects “ongoing high-level interventions” and a commitment to continued dialogue.

“The NEC, in recognition of the ongoing interventions and as a demonstration of goodwill, hereby suspends the previously declared total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike action,” the statement read.

The association noted that progress had been made in negotiations, particularly regarding the payment of salary arrears, hazard allowances, and steps toward resolving challenges surrounding the Medical Residency Training Fund.

However, NARD stressed that the issues have not been fully resolved, adding that the government has shown a “renewed willingness” to address the concerns that led to the strike threat.

To ensure compliance, the association issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement concrete and verifiable steps toward meeting its demands.

These include the reversal of the halt in the reviewed Professional Allowance Table, payment of outstanding promotion and salary arrears, and the prompt disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.

NARD warned that it would reconvene at the expiration of the ultimatum to assess progress and determine its next course of action. It added that failure by the government to meet the demands within the stipulated timeframe could trigger an immediate resumption of the suspended strike.

Resident doctors in Nigeria have long been at loggerheads with the government over welfare issues, including irregular salary payments, inadequate hazard allowances, and poor hospital infrastructure.

The recurring disputes have also contributed to the migration of medical professionals abroad in search of better opportunities.