Doctors begin strike today over arrears

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has officially commenced an indefinite, "total and comprehensive" nationwide strike as of 12:00 a.m. today, Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The strike is a direct response to what the association describes as a breach of trust by the Federal Government regarding agreed-upon salary structures and long-standing financial arrears.

Why Doctors Are Striking
The primary trigger for this industrial action is the government’s reported plan to halt the implementation of the Professional Allowance Table (PAT) starting this month.

The key demands from NARD include:

Reversal of the PAT Decision: Immediate cancellation of the move to stop the revised professional allowance, which covers call duty, shift pay, and rural posting incentives.

Payment of Arrears: Settlement of outstanding promotion and salary arrears owed to doctors across various federal and state health centers.

Professional Allowance Backlog: Payment of 19 months of arrears related to the professional allowance provided for in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

Training Funds: Prompt disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).

Impact on HealthcareAs of this morning, clinical services in Federal Teaching Hospitals, Specialist Hospitals, and several state-owned facilities are expected to be significantly disrupted. While consultants and other healthcare workers may remain on duty, the absence of resident doctors—who make up the bulk of the medical workforce in these institutions—typically leads to the suspension of non-emergency surgeries and outpatient consultations.

Background of the DisputeThis conflict is a resurgence of tensions from 2025. Although the government began implementing the revised PAT in February 2026 after initial delays, NARD's National Executive Council (NEC) received reports that the scheme would be discontinued by April, prompting the emergency meeting on Saturday, April 4, where the strike was finalized.