The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), has announced plans to begin an indefinite strike from 12 midnight on Saturday, November 1, 2025, citing unresolved welfare and administrative challenges affecting its members.
The decision was conveyed in a letter dated October 30, 2025, addressed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and signed by the association’s President, Dr. George Ebong, and General Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong. The letter, made available to journalists on Friday, followed an emergency congress meeting held on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, during which members unanimously voted to fully join the national strike declared by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
According to the ARD-FCTA, the strike action became necessary due to long-standing issues that remain unresolved despite repeated engagements with the relevant authorities. The association also vowed to continue its own indefinite strike even if NARD suspends or calls off its nationwide industrial action.
“Following NARD’s declaration, the Supreme Congress of ARD-FCTA deliberated extensively on our unresolved local issues. The Congress unanimously voted to fully join the indefinite strike. However, even if NARD suspends or ends its action, ARD-FCTA will continue until all our local demands are met,” the letter partly read.
The letter, acknowledged by several FCTA offices on October 31, 2025—including the Office of the Minister, the Head of Service, and the Health Services and Environment Secretariat—warned that the strike could significantly disrupt healthcare delivery across public hospitals in the FCT, where resident doctors form the bulk of the workforce.
The ARD-FCTA, which comprises doctors serving in 14 district and general hospitals and the Department of Public Health, is demanding:
- Immediate payment of all outstanding salary arrears for members employed since 2023.
- Commencement of new doctor recruitment, with written and time-bound commitments for completion before the end of 2025.
- Immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
- Correction of salary irregularities and stoppage of erroneous deductions.
- Clear timelines for implementation of skipping and conversion within one month.
- A Memorandum of Understanding guaranteeing skipping within three months of employment.
- Conversion of post-Part II Fellows to Consultant cadre within six months of passing.
- Release and full payment of promotion arrears within one month.
- Immediate payment of wage award arrears, as already done at federal and state levels.
- Settlement of arrears from the 25/35% CONMESS review.
- Renovation and upgrading of all FCTA hospitals to global standards.
- Payment of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears.
- Settlement of all outstanding allowances owed to 2025 external residents.
The impending strike is expected to further strain the FCT’s healthcare system, which is already grappling with a shortage of medical personnel.
