On Tuesday, 7 April 2026, medical practitioners across Nigeria under the auspices of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) commenced an indefinite nationwide strike, shutting down key health services in public hospitals and clinics in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The action, which began at 12:00 a.m. local time, reflects deepening tensions between the association and the Federal Government of Nigeria over unresolved employment and welfare issues.
In a statement issued following a virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Saturday, 5 April 2026, NARD leaders said the strike was precipitated by what they described as the government’s decision to halt the implementation of a revised Professional Allowance Table (PAT) — a framework that had previously been negotiated to improve remuneration for resident doctors. According to NARD officials, including Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, Secretary-General of the association, the move undermines prior agreements reached after prolonged industrial action in 2025 and represents a breach of trust with the federal authorities.
“The decision to pause or reverse the implementation of the PAT is unfortunate and unacceptable,” Dr. Ibrahim said, explaining that the allowance structure was designed to provide equitable pay for call duty, shift work, rural postings and other professional duties undertaken by resident physicians. The association has demanded the immediate reinstatement of the allowance table, payment of promotion and salary arrears, settlement of 19 months’ outstanding professional allowance arrears, and prompt disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.
According to reports from Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Ibadan, residents have downed tools in teaching hospitals and federal medical centres, forcing many institutions to defer surgeries and turn away non-emergency cases. In several tertiary hospitals, including those serving millions of patients annually, outpatient clinics were closed and elective procedures postponed. According to health service providers and patient advocates, the strike is expected to place additional strain on an already fragile public healthcare system.
The nationwide action follows a series of industrial disputes between NARD and the federal government over pay and working conditions that have disrupted care intermittently since 2023. Analysts say the recurrent confrontations reflect broader systemic issues within Nigeria’s health sector, including inadequate funding, unmet wage agreements, and long-standing arrears owed to health professionals.
By late afternoon on 7 April 2026, there were indications that parts of the strike could be suspended or scaled back. Leaders of some resident doctor chapters, such as at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, announced plans to resume work as early as Wednesday morning following negotiations at the facility level, which have yet to be confirmed by national NARD leadership.
The Federal Government has so far not issued a comprehensive public response to the strike declaration, but senior officials are reported to be considering measures that could include a reassessment of allowances and accelerated talks with NARD leadership. Observers say the coming days will be critical for both parties as they navigate a potential escalation in industrial action and its impact on public health access.
The strike marks one of the most significant labour actions by resident doctors in recent years and comes amid mounting concerns from patient groups, civil society advocates and healthcare experts about the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s health system if wage disputes and workforce morale are not addressed.
