Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The National Association of Resident Doctors suspends its planned nationwide strike following last-minute interventions by top government and influential stakeholders, in a move that temporarily averts disruption across public hospitals.
Speaking exclusively with Africa Health Report, NARD National Secretary Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim confirms the decision early Tuesday.
“Because of the intervention of some highly placed individuals in the country, we have suspended the planned strike,” he says.
The association, however, issues a firm warning, giving the Federal Government a two-week deadline to meet its demands.
“We are offering the government a two-week window to fulfil their promises. Otherwise, we will have to return and resume the strike,” Ibrahim adds.
The suspension follows mounting pressure over the potential impact of a nationwide shutdown on Nigeria’s already strained healthcare system.
NARD’s demands include the immediate reversal of the halt on the revised Professional Allowance Table (PAT) and payment of 19 months’ outstanding arrears.
The doctors are also seeking settlement of salary and promotion arrears affecting multiple federal and state health institutions.
Further demands include the release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, correction of entry-level salary placements and implementation of specialist allowances.
NARD insists the demands are essential to stabilising the health sector.
“These measures are vital for fair pay, improved working conditions, and functional hospitals,” the association says, stressing that it seeks only “fair pay, safer conditions, and functional hospitals for the Nigerian people.”
Health analysts warn that failure to meet the deadline could trigger renewed industrial action, risking widespread service disruption and further pressure on Nigeria’s fragile healthcare system.
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Chukwu Obinna 