FG reverses allowance decision, agrees to pay doctors’ arrears

The Federal Government has reversed its earlier decision on the implementation of the reviewed Professional Allowance Table (PAT) for resident doctors, following weeks of tension with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

In a communiqué issued after its emergency National Executive Council meeting, NARD confirmed that the government has now agreed to reinstate the revised allowance structure, with the adjustment expected to reflect in April salaries and subsequent payments.

The dispute had led to a nationwide strike earlier in April, as doctors protested unresolved welfare concerns, including unpaid allowances, delayed salaries and the non-disbursement of training funds.

As part of the new agreement, the government also committed to settling outstanding promotion and salary arrears owed to resident doctors across affected institutions.

Additionally, approval has been secured for the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, with assurances that the disbursement process will be concluded promptly.

The government further indicated readiness to begin payment of about 19 months’ arrears of professional allowances, one of the major demands raised by the doctors.

Despite the progress, the association expressed concern over continued delays in the payment of house officers’ salaries and called for an urgent stakeholders’ meeting to resolve the issue.

Following the latest commitments, NARD announced the suspension of its planned comprehensive strike, stating that it would monitor implementation and review progress at its next Ordinary General Meeting scheduled for May in Kano.

The association also acknowledged the intervention of key government officials, including Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside ministers and other stakeholders involved in negotiations.

The development is expected to ease tensions in Nigeria’s health sector, where prolonged disputes over welfare and funding have repeatedly threatened service delivery.