The National Association of Resident Doctors has announced the suspension of its planned indefinite strike after reaching an understanding with the Federal Government on key demands, including payment of outstanding allowances and improvements in doctors’ welfare.
The decision was taken after an emergency meeting of the association’s National Executive Council, where members reviewed assurances from government representatives and resolved to give dialogue another chance.
NARD said the suspension was informed by “progress made” in negotiations, particularly commitments on the prompt payment of salary arrears, hazard allowances, and steps toward resolving issues surrounding the Medical Residency Training Fund.
The University College Hospital President, Dr Uthman Adedeji, confirmed the development on Tuesday, noting that NARD directed members nationwide to resume by 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
Adedeji explained that the decision followed the federal government’s reversal of its stance on the revised professional allowance and a commitment to address other outstanding issues raised by the association.
The crisis stemmed from the implementation of a revised Professional Allowance Table negotiated between NARD and the Federal Government following a prolonged strike in 2025. The agreement included improved remuneration packages for resident doctors, covering call duty allowances, shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and non-clinical duty payments.
Although implementation was initially scheduled to commence in January 2026, delays pushed the rollout to February. However, NARD had alleged that the government planned to discontinue the process by April, a move the association said undermined trust.
Although the association did not declare a full resolution of the dispute, it noted that the government had shown “renewed willingness” to address the concerns that triggered the strike threat.
