The Association of Resident Doctors of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCT) has suspended its indefinite strike, giving patients in Abuja and its environs some relief after days of disruption in medical services.
The President of ARD-FCT, Dr George Ebong, confirmed the suspension on Friday, noting that doctors will return to work on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 8 a.m.
He explained that the decision came after the intervention of the Senate Committee on Federal Territory Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, as well as out of respect for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
However, he made it clear that none of the doctors’ demands had been addressed yet.
“The Senate intervened. Even though none of our demands have been met yet, they assured us that they will talk to the minister. We hope the minister will listen to us, because we respect him,” Dr Ebong stated.
Genesis Of The Strike Action
Naija News reports that the current face-off began earlier this month when ARD-FCT members, frustrated by unfulfilled promises, declared an indefinite strike.
On September 14, 2025, the association held an emergency meeting and resolved to down tools from September 15. This came after a seven-day warning strike failed to move the authorities to act on their concerns.
The strike quickly paralysed services across the 14 district and general hospitals under the FCT Administration, leaving many patients stranded and forcing others to seek costly alternatives in private clinics.
The Doctors’ Demands
The resident doctors have consistently pointed to poor working conditions, salary delays, and manpower shortages as the main reasons for their action.
Among their specific demands are:
- Settlement of salary arrears owed to members employed since 2023 (ranging from one to six months).
- Payment of outstanding arrears from the 25-35% upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
- Recruitment of more medical staff to ease the pressure on the limited number of doctors manning FCT hospitals.
- Clear timelines for the promotion and conversion of doctors who have qualified as specialists but remain on lower salary grades.
- Provision of adequate equipment and infrastructure to improve patient care.
- Correction of what they described as erroneous deductions from allowances and irregular patterns of salary payment.
According to ARD-FCT, these unresolved issues not only affect doctors’ welfare but also compromise the quality of healthcare services available to residents of the capital territory.
Naija News understands that the Senate’s promise to mediate appears to have convinced the doctors to give dialogue another chance.
The lawmakers assured the doctors that they would take up their grievances directly with the FCT Minister.
Ebong explained that while no concrete action had been taken yet, the association was willing to show good faith by suspending the strike.
“We are hopeful the minister will listen to us. The welfare of doctors is not just about us; it directly impacts the quality of care that patients receive,” he said.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time Nigerian doctors have resorted to strike actions to press home their demands.
Across the country, resident doctors frequently complain about poor working conditions, overstretched facilities, and unpaid benefits.
In 2024, the Federal Ministry of Education even warned state governments to clamp down on illegal levies in schools to prevent enrolment decline, a reminder that multiple public-sector crises, from classrooms to hospitals, often stem from delayed reforms and poor funding.
For Abuja residents, however, the latest suspension means some breathing space as doctors return to work.
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