The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has announced that its members across the country will begin an indefinite strike from 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, following a decision taken during a virtual meeting held on Saturday.
The action comes after the Federal Government of Nigeria reportedly moved to stop the implementation of a revised Professional Allowance Table earlier agreed upon after the doctors’ 2025 strike.
The association said the planned halt of the allowance structure, which forms part of previous agreements, triggered the decision to embark on industrial action.
The leadership explained that the move by the government goes against earlier commitments and has raised fresh concerns among doctors about their welfare and working conditions.
The dispute is linked to a revised allowance system that was meant to improve earnings for resident doctors. The package covers payments such as call duty, shifts, rural postings, and other responsibilities. Although the implementation was first planned for January 2026 and later shifted to February, the association said the government now intends to discontinue it by April.
The doctors are also demanding payment of outstanding salary and promotion arrears in some centres, as well as the completion of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund process. In addition, they want the settlement of about 19 months of unpaid allowances tied to the same agreement.
This development is expected to affect healthcare delivery across public hospitals, where resident doctors handle a large share of patient care. Experts note that such disputes have occurred repeatedly in the health sector, often leading to service disruption and reduced access to care for many Nigerians who rely on government hospitals.
Nigeria’s healthcare system is already under pressure due to a shortage of medical workers. Reports show that the doctor-to-patient ratio in the country is far below global standards, especially in rural areas. With the planned strike, there are fears that outpatient services may be shut down, surgeries delayed, and more pressure placed on private hospitals.
There are also concerns that frequent industrial actions may push more doctors to leave the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
As the strike date approaches, attention is now on the government to engage with the doctors and find a solution before the situation worsens for patients nationwide.