The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), has issued notice of an indefinite strike action over the refusal of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to address their demands.

The strike is to take effect from Monday, 15th September 2025.

In a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Dr. George Ebong said the decision followed a congress by its members on Sunday.

He stressed that the strike is not targeted at the minister or anyone personally but against the failed health sector in the nation’s capital.

“The government is to meet any of our demands financially and non-financially.

“The Government of FCTA has refused to listen; the Congress has mandated that until they listen, we will go on strike starting from this morning, Monday, September 15th, 2025.

“This is not targeted against the minister or mandate secretary, but against a failed health system.

“We call on the Minister of FCT to do the needful.

“The Congress voted for an indefinite strike until our demands are met.

“Non-payment of 26 of our members after a long dialogue of seven months.

“The issue of unemployment has continued to affect the service to our patients. Unexplained deduction of salary and promotion since 2023.

“Some of the hospitals do not have X-rays. Hospitals are not favourable for working.”

The indefinite strike comes after the end of a seven-day warning strike by ARD-FCTA.

See full communique:

COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE ASSOCIATION OF RESIDENT DOCTORS, FCTA, ISSUED AFTER

THE EMERGENCY GENERAL MEETING HELD ON 14TH SEPTEMBER 2025

OBSERVATIONS

After reassessing the demands earlier presented to management, Congress noted with deep disappointment that none of our demands have been addressed.

This once again confirms our fears of the chronic neglect of our healthcare system affecting the effectiveness of the medical doctors in order to carry out care of the highest standard.

Following exhaustive deliberations at the close of the 7-day warning strike, Congress made the

Following observations:

1. Continued non-payment of salary arrears (ranging from 1 to 6 months) owed to members

employed since 2023, despite repeated engagements with management.

2. Zero effort towards the recruitment of new doctors, despite the obvious manpower crisis that has subjected our members to unbearable physical, emotional, and psychological strain – resulting in avoidable stress-related deaths. Both doctors’ and patients’ lives remain endangered.

3. Non-payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), leaving members

indebted while struggling to meet mandatory training obligations.

4. Non-payment of arrears from the 25/35% CONMESS upward review, despite the Federal

The government having commenced payment.

5. Absence of clear and documented timelines for skipping and conversion of members, with

arrears yet unpaid.

6. Persistent and unexplained deductions alongside irregular salary payments, which are

demoralising and insulting to healthcare workers.

7. Delays in promotion exercises since 2023, thereby denying members their rightful career

progression and financial entitlements.

8. Non-payment of the 2025 accoutrement allowance, a paltry N8,000 monthly entitlement that

should not require agitation.

9. Stagnation of newly qualified Fellows who remain denied advancement to the Consultant

cadre, some for over five years, despite repeated engagements with management.

10. Non-payment of wage award arrears, with no communication on when this will be addressed.

11. Non-payment of 13 months Hazard allowance arrears, further proof of deliberate disregard

for the safety and welfare of doctors.

12. The deplorable state of FCTA hospitals, which are now shadows of decay rather than centres of excellence, lacking equipment, consumables, and basic functionality.

RESOLUTIONS

After the most passionate and historic deliberations in ARD-FCTA, Congress unanimously resolved as follows:

1. Congress shall embark on an indefinite strike action commencing at 8:00am, Monday, 15th.

September 2025, until government and management demonstrate genuine commitment to

making health in the FCT a priority.

2. Immediate payment of all outstanding salary arrears to members employed since 2023.

3. Immediate commencement of recruitment of new doctors, with written, time-bound

commitments to conclude before the end of 2025. This is of utmost urgency.

4. Immediate payment of the 2025 MRTF for doctors’ medical training.

5. Immediate stoppage of all erroneous deductions and correction of irregular salary payments

6. Documented timelines for skipping and conversion to be fully concluded within one (1) month.

7. Signing of an MOU mandating skipping of members within three (3) months of employment.

Conversion of post-Part II Fellows to Consultant cadre within six (6) months of passing-

9. Release of promotion timelines and full payment of arrears within one (1)

10. Immediate payment of wage award arrears, as already done for colleagues at federal and state

levels.

11. Immediate payment of arrears from the 25/35 per cent CONMESS review

12. Urgent renovation, equipping, and upgrading of all FCTA hospitals to globally acceptablevstandards.

13. Immediate payment of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears.

14. Immediate payment of all arrears owed to 2025 external residents.

We do hope that the management will do the urgent needful to meet all of our demands for the sake of our patients and ourselves.

BREAKING: Abuja doctors begin indefinite strike over Wike’s refusal to meet demands