By JKNewsMedia
AN INDEFINITE nationwide strike will begin at 12:00am on Tuesday, 7 April 2026, as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) moves against what it described as a plan by the Federal Government (FG) to halt the revised Professional Allowance Table (PAT).
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the decision emerged from a virtual extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Saturday, with the association warning of disruption to healthcare services across public hospitals.
NARD National President, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, described the development as unfortunate and accused the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) of pushing doctors towards another industrial action.
“The National Executive Council was informed about the Federal Government’s decision to remove the Professional Allowance Table, a development deemed unfortunate,” he said.
“Following extensive deliberations, the NEC resolved to embark on a total industrial and comprehensive strike beginning at 12:00am on Tuesday, 7 April 2026.”
The dispute follows the implementation of a revised PAT negotiated after a prolonged strike in 2025.
The agreement covered improved remuneration packages for resident doctors, including call duty allowances, shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and non-clinical duty payments.
Implementation was scheduled to begin in January 2026 but was delayed to February. The association stated that the government now plans to discontinue the process by April, a move it said undermines trust and violates prior agreements.
Ibrahim outlined the association’s demands, calling for immediate reversal of the decision and settlement of outstanding entitlements.
“We demand the reversal of the decision to cease the implementation of the PAT starting in April 2026,” he said.
“There must be immediate payment of promotion arrears and salary arrears in affected centres, as well as the prompt conclusion of the process of paying the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.
“We also insist on the immediate processing and payment of the outstanding 19 months’ arrears of the Professional Allowance.”
He urged members across the country to remain united.
“The NARD leadership calls on its members to unite in the fight against this injustice and to pursue it to a logical conclusion,” Ibrahim added.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the resident doctors play a central role in service delivery in tertiary hospitals, handling a large proportion of patient care.
The planned strike raises concerns about its impact on the health system, including possible shutdown of outpatient services, delays in surgeries, and increased pressure on private healthcare facilities.
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