The Association of Resident Doctors in the federal capital territory (ARD-FCT) has declared an indefinite strike, citing unpaid salary arrears, poor welfare conditions, and the collapse of health facilities in Abuja.
The association announced the decision in a communiqué signed by its president, George Ebong, following an emergency general meeting held on Sunday.
The strike, which began on September 15, comes after the doctors embarked on a seven-day warning strike. The union said it was left with no choice after authorities failed to address any of its demands.
Among the grievances outlined by ARD-FCT are the immediate payment of all outstanding salary arrears to members employed since 2023 and the commencement of fresh recruitment of doctors with written, time-bound commitments to conclude the process before the end of 2025.
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The association is also demanding the payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for doctors’ professional training, the immediate stoppage of erroneous deductions from salaries, and the correction of irregular salary payments.
Further demands include the conversion of post-part II fellows to the consultant cadre within six months of qualifying, the release of promotion timelines, and full payment of promotion arrears within one month.
The doctors are also asking for the immediate payment of wage award arrears, as has been done for colleagues in federal and state health institutions.
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In addition, the doctors are insisting on the settlement of arrears arising from the 25/35 percent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, urgent renovation and equipping of FCTA hospitals to meet global standards, payment of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears, and the clearance of arrears owed to 2025 external residents.
The ARD-FCT said it was disappointed that none of its demands had been met despite repeated engagements with the authorities.
“After assessing the demands earlier presented to management, congress noted with deep disappointment that none of its demands had been addressed,” the communiqué reads.
“This once again confirms our fears of the chronic neglect of our healthcare system affecting the effectiveness of medical doctors to carry out care of the highest standard. After the most passionate and historic deliberations in ARD-FCTA, congress shall embark on an indefinite strike action commencing 8:00 am, Monday, 15th September 2025, until government and management demonstrate genuine commitment to making health in the FCT a priority.”
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The resident doctors accused the federal capital territory administration (FCTA) of abandoning the city’s health sector, warning that the consequences of the strike could be severe for residents who depend on public hospitals.
The association recalled that during its warning strike, it had drawn attention to the deplorable state of FCTA hospitals, where poor infrastructure, lack of equipment, and inadequate staffing had made quality healthcare delivery almost impossible.
The doctors accused the government of failing to prioritise the health sector despite clear evidence of overstretched facilities and demoralised personnel.
The strike is expected to paralyse services in several FCT hospitals, including the Asokoro District Hospital, Wuse General Hospital, Maitama District Hospital, Garki General Hospital, and Nyanya General Hospital, where resident doctors form the bulk of the workforce.
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