The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its indefinite nationwide strike, offering temporary relief to Nigeria’s strained healthcare system while placing the federal government under renewed pressure to fulfill its commitments.

Announcing the decision after a National Executive Council meeting, NARD President Mohammad Usman Suleiman said doctors are to resume work from 8 a.m. on Wednesday, following assurances from the government to reverse its decision on the revised Professional Allowance Table (PAT).

However, the suspension comes with clear conditions. The association has issued a fresh ultimatum, giving the government until April 21 to fully implement its demands. Suleiman warned that failure to meet the deadline would trigger a resumption of industrial action, signaling that the dispute is far from resolved.

At the core of the crisis is the government’s earlier move to halt the implementation of the revised PAT—an agreement reached in 2025 after prolonged negotiations. The package includes improved remuneration such as enhanced call duty and shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and payments for non-clinical duties.

NARD had described the suspension of the allowance structure as a breach of trust, insisting on its immediate reinstatement alongside the payment of outstanding salary and promotion arrears. The association is also pushing for the prompt release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.

While the strike suspension restores critical medical services for now, it effectively resets the clock on a recurring cycle of labour disputes in Nigeria’s health sector. The next two weeks will be decisive, as stakeholders watch whether the government can translate assurances into concrete action—or risk another shutdown of essential healthcare services nationwide.