Doctors nationwide begin strike over arrears

By Chisom Adaeze

Healthcare services across Nigeria face fresh disruption as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors commenced a nationwide strike on April 7, 2026, citing unresolved welfare issues and alleged breaches of agreements by the Federal Government.

The industrial action, described by the association as “total and comprehensive,” is expected to significantly affect operations in both federal and state-owned hospitals, raising concerns about access to medical care for millions of Nigerians.

Rising Tensions Between Doctors and Government

The latest strike is rooted in long-standing disputes over welfare, remuneration, and working conditions. At the heart of the current crisis is the Federal Government’s reported suspension of the revised Professional Allowance Table — a key component of the agreement reached after the doctors’ 2025 strike.

NARD has strongly criticised the move, describing it as a breach of trust and a reversal of commitments previously made to address doctors’ concerns.

According to the association, its National Executive Council reached the decision to embark on the strike after extensive deliberations over the policy shift and continued delays in fulfilling agreed obligations.

Key Demands by Doctors

The striking doctors are demanding:

• Immediate reinstatement of the revised allowance structure
• Payment of promotion and salary arrears
• Settlement of 19 months’ outstanding allowance arrears
• Release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund

They argue that persistent delays and policy inconsistencies have worsened working conditions and undermined morale within the health sector.

A Pattern of Repeated Strikes

Since the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu began, resident doctors have spent a cumulative 51 days on strike. This includes multiple industrial actions between 2023 and 2025, highlighting recurring tensions between health workers and the government.

Notably, a five-day warning strike in September 2025 was followed by a 29-day full strike in November 2025, both centred on similar grievances.

Brain Drain and Systemic Challenges

Beyond remuneration, NARD has raised concerns about the growing exodus of Nigerian doctors seeking better opportunities abroad — a trend often referred to as “brain drain.”

This migration has placed additional pressure on the already strained healthcare system, increasing workloads for remaining doctors and contributing to burnout and declining service quality.

Doctors have also pointed to inadequate hospital infrastructure, insufficient training support, and delayed payments as factors worsening the crisis.

Impact on Patients and Healthcare Delivery

The ongoing strike is expected to disrupt essential medical services nationwide, particularly in public hospitals that rely heavily on resident doctors for day-to-day operations.

While some branches of NARD have indicated that consultants and nurses may attempt to fill the gap, concerns remain about the system’s capacity to cope with the sudden workforce shortage.

Despite acknowledging the potential impact on patients, NARD leaders insist the strike is necessary to secure long-term improvements.

“We regret the inconvenience this may cause,” said one branch leader, adding that better welfare conditions would ultimately translate to improved healthcare delivery.

What Comes Next?

With negotiations reportedly ongoing between NARD and government representatives, stakeholders are watching closely for a possible resolution.

However, the recurring nature of these disputes raises broader questions about the sustainability of Nigeria’s healthcare system and the government’s ability to maintain lasting agreements with medical professionals.