![Hon. Festus Keyamo SAN arrives MMIA past 11:50 p.m. Feb 23 to lead oversight of Terminal 1 fire. Joined FAAN MD & team actively managing situation. Directed morning inspection Tuesday to guide restoration & confirm safety standards. Reaffirmed focus on passenger safety. Story: [link] #KeyamoMMIA #FireIncident #FAAN](https://fullcliphq.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mym-150x150.jpg "MMIA Fire: Keyamo Inspects Lagos Airport After Terminal 1 Blaze Disrupts Flights")
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has begun an indefinite nationwide strike today, April 7, 2026, disrupting services in federal and state-owned hospitals across the country.
The industrial action stems from the Federal Government’s reported decision to suspend implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table, a key part of an agreement reached after the 2025 strike.
According to The Punch, resident doctors have already spent a cumulative 51 days on strike since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in 2023. This includes two major strikes and a five-day warning action between 2023 and 2025.
The latest strike follows failed negotiations over several outstanding welfare issues, including promotion and salary arrears, 19 months of unpaid allowances, and the release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.
In a statement issued by its National Executive Council, NARD described the government’s action on the allowance table as “unfortunate” and accused authorities of pushing doctors into another avoidable industrial dispute. The association demanded the immediate reversal of the suspension, full payment of all arrears, and proper implementation of the revised allowance structure that covers call duty, shift allowances and other work-related incentives.
The Professional Allowance Table was introduced as part of the 2025 agreement between NARD and the Federal Government to improve doctors’ welfare. Implementation was initially scheduled for January 2026 and later shifted to February, but doctors complained that the process became inconsistent and was eventually halted.
An analysis of previous strikes reveals a recurring pattern of disputes. In August 2023, NARD embarked on a 17-day strike primarily over welfare concerns worsened by the removal of fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, and the subsequent sharp rise in the cost of living. Doctors argued that their salaries were not adjusted to reflect the new economic reality, making it difficult to meet basic needs.
They also raised issues about poor working conditions, inadequate hospital infrastructure, insufficient training funds and the growing shortage of medical personnel due to the “Japa” syndrome – the mass migration of Nigerian doctors abroad in search of better opportunities. That strike was suspended on August 12, 2023, after negotiations.
A five-day warning strike followed in September 2025, leading to a full 29-day strike in November 2025. The current crisis is rooted in the incomplete implementation of the agreement that ended the 2025 action.
NARD Secretary General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, said the association had initially delayed the start of the strike to allow time for the government to reverse its decision, especially considering that today is a public holiday. He stated that doctors would consider suspending the action if the government announces a reversal, even without direct communication to the association.
Dr Ibrahim noted that the problem affects not only resident doctors but other categories of healthcare workers as well.
The Abia State chapter of NARD has aligned with the national directive, confirming it has commenced the indefinite strike by midnight today. State President Dr Godwin Alaede said the branch is “100 per cent prepared” and held a congress in Umuahia on Monday to review developments. He expressed regret over any inconvenience to patients but assured that medical consultants and nurses would help fill the gap during the strike.
As of the time of filing, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had not issued an official statement on the industrial action.
The strike is expected to affect emergency services, outpatient clinics, surgeries and other critical care in public hospitals nationwide. Health sector stakeholders have expressed concern over the potential impact on patients, especially amid existing challenges in the country’s healthcare system.
The recurring strikes by resident doctors highlight deeper structural problems in Nigeria’s health sector, including poor remuneration, inadequate infrastructure, delayed payments and the continuous loss of skilled medical personnel to greener pastures abroad.
Observers say sustained dialogue and full implementation of agreements are needed to prevent future strikes and ensure stability in healthcare delivery. The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has appealed to the Federal Government to address the demands promptly to avoid prolonging the strike.
For now, patients in public hospitals are advised to seek alternative care where possible as services remain severely disrupted.
