The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned indefinite nationwide strike following fresh commitments from the Federal Government on allowances, salary arrears, and training-related funding.
The decision was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday.
The communiqué was signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim.
According to the association, the suspension followed a series of high-level engagements with key government officials and stakeholders across the health and financial sectors.
NARD said the discussions involved the Vice President, Ministers of Health, Labour, and Finance, as well as the Budget Office, Office of the Accountant General, the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), the Nigerian Medical Association, and the Department of State Services.
The association explained that its earlier decision to proceed on strike was triggered by the Federal Government’s reversal of the implementation of the reviewed Professional Allowance Table (PAT), alongside other welfare concerns affecting its members.
However, it noted that the decision had since been reversed, with implementation expected to reflect in April salaries and subsequent payments.
NARD also stated that the Federal Government had renewed its commitment to clear outstanding promotion arrears and salary arrears owed to resident doctors across various institutions.
The communiqué further disclosed that initial approval had been secured for the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), with assurances that the disbursement process would be concluded.
It added that the Budget Office had indicated readiness to begin payment of outstanding 19 months’ arrears of professional allowances.
Despite the progress, the association expressed concern over delays in the payment of house officers’ salaries, describing it as a recurring issue requiring urgent resolution.
Based on these developments, the NEC resolved to suspend the planned strike, while noting that progress on the commitments would be reviewed at its next Ordinary General Meeting scheduled for May in Kano.
NARD, however, insisted on full implementation of the reviewed PAT as reflected in April salaries and beyond.
It also demanded immediate payment of all outstanding arrears and timely completion of processes related to the residency training fund and allowance backlogs.
The association called for an urgent stakeholders’ meeting to address delays affecting house officers’ salaries, stressing that it would continue to monitor compliance closely.
NARD added that further decisions would depend on the level of implementation achieved before its next statutory meeting.
