By Doctors under the Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), on Monday commenced an indefinite strike, following the expiration of their seven-day warning strike.
The development was announced in a communique jointly signed by the association’s President, Dr. George Ebong, and General Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong, after an emergency congress held on Sunday in Abuja.
ARD-FCTA, which represents doctors across the 14 district and general hospitals, as well as the Department of Public Health under the FCTA, said its members were left with no choice after months of unresolved negotiations with the administration.
The doctors are demanding payment of salary arrears ranging from one to six months owed to members employed since 2023. They also want the immediate release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settlement of arrears from the 25–35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, and recruitment of more health personnel.
Other grievances include continuous salary deductions, irregular wage payments, delays in promotions, and failure to convert post-Part II Fellows to the Consultant cadre within the stipulated time. They also demanded the payment of hazard allowance arrears, renovation of FCTA hospitals, and settlement of wages owed to newly employed external residents, some of whom are reportedly being owed three to four months’ pay.
“Congress expressed deep disappointment that none of the issues earlier presented had been addressed. This once again confirms our fears of the chronic neglect of our healthcare system,” the communique read in part.
After what the association described as “passionate and historic deliberations,” members resolved to commence an indefinite strike effective 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 15, 2025.
“We do hope that management will urgently do the needful to meet our demands for the sake of our patients and ourselves,” the statement added.
