Resident Doctors Halt Nationwide Strike After Federal Government Concessions
Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s fragile health system has narrowly avoided a nationwide shutdown after resident doctors suspended a planned indefinite strike following fresh concessions from the Federal Government.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors said the decision followed renewed commitments to restore allowances, pay arrears, and fund training programmes.
In a communiqué issued after an emergency virtual National Executive Council meeting, the association confirmed that the controversial Professional Allowance Table had been reinstated and would reflect in April salaries.
The government also pledged to clear outstanding promotion and salary arrears, while indicating readiness to begin payment of 19 months’ backlog of professional allowances.
Doctors further noted progress on the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, with approvals secured and disbursement processes underway.
The decision followed high-level engagements involving senior government officials, including ministers of health, finance, and labour, as well as the Budget Office and Office of the Accountant General.
However, the association raised concerns over persistent delays in the payment of house officers’ salaries, describing it as an urgent issue requiring immediate attention.
“In light of these developments, the NEC resolves to suspend the proposed indefinite strike,” the communiqué stated, adding that compliance would be reviewed at its next meeting in May.
The doctors warned that failure to sustain implementation could trigger renewed industrial action, underscoring ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s healthcare system.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
