News Update
Resident Doctors’ Strike Begins Nationwide, Threatens Healthcare Services
Public hospitals across Nigeria are bracing for disruption as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors commenced a nationwide strike on Tuesday, raising fresh concerns about the stability of the country’s already strained health sector.
The industrial action follows unresolved disputes between the doctors and the Federal Government over unpaid allowances, policy reversals, and the implementation of previously agreed welfare reforms. The development marks another chapter in a series of strikes that have plagued the healthcare system since the administration of President Bola Tinubu assumed office in 2023.
At the centre of the current dispute is the suspension of the revised Professional Allowance Table, a key component of an agreement reached after a prolonged strike in 2025. The table was designed to standardise payments such as call duty and shift allowances, which doctors say are critical to improving welfare and retaining skilled professionals.
In a statement, NARD described the government’s decision as a breach of trust, noting that repeated failures to honour agreements have eroded confidence within the medical community. The association is also demanding the payment of salary arrears, settlement of outstanding allowances, and release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.
The strike comes against the backdrop of worsening conditions in Nigeria’s health sector, including a persistent brain drain as doctors migrate abroad in search of better opportunities. This trend has significantly increased workload on those remaining, contributing to burnout and declining morale.
Historical data shows that resident doctors have embarked on multiple strikes in recent years, including a 17-day action in 2023 and a 29-day strike in late 2025, both linked to welfare concerns and unmet agreements.
Speaking on the development, NARD Secretary-General, Shuaibu Ibrahim, said the association remains open to suspending the strike if the government reverses its decision.
As of press time, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had yet to issue an official response, leaving patients and hospital administrators uncertain about the duration and impact of the strike.
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