The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has suspended its planned nationwide indefinite strike following fresh commitments by the Federal Government to address key welfare concerns, including the reinstatement of the reviewed Professional Allowance Table.
The decision was reached at an emergency virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council held on Saturday, where members reviewed recent interventions by government officials and stakeholders in the health sector.
The association had earlier threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over the reversal of the reviewed allowance structure and other unresolved welfare issues.
However, it said the decision was reconsidered after the government agreed to restore the allowance, with implementation expected to reflect in April salaries and subsequent payments.
The council also noted assurances by the government to clear outstanding promotion and salary arrears owed to resident doctors across affected institutions, alongside initial approval of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, with a commitment to ensure its full release.
In addition, the Budget Office has indicated readiness to commence the process of settling a backlog of 19 months’ arrears of the professional allowance, a move the association described as significant.
Despite the progress, the doctors expressed concern over delays in the payment of house officers’ salaries and called for an urgent stakeholders’ meeting to resolve the issue.
Following deliberations, the association resolved to suspend the planned industrial action, while setting a timeline to review the level of compliance at its next Ordinary General Meeting scheduled to hold in Kano.
In a statement signed by its President, , Secretary-General, , and Publicity Secretary, , the association insisted on full implementation of agreements.
It warned that failure by the government to honour its commitments could trigger further action.
The association also acknowledged the interventions of President , Vice President , and other stakeholders in resolving the dispute.
The development offers temporary relief to the country’s health sector, which has faced repeated disruptions due to industrial actions, even as doctors insist that sustained compliance remains key to lasting stability.
