The Association of Resident Doctors of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) has announced that it will embark on an indefinite strike starting at 12 midnight on Saturday, 1 November 2025, over unresolved welfare and administrative issues affecting its members.
The notice, dated 30 October 2025 and addressed to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was signed by President Dr George Ebong and General Secretary Dr Agbor Affiong.
The strike call comes in response to the national body of resident doctors, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), also declaring an indefinite strike from the same date. Importantly, the ARD-FCTA made clear that even if NARD suspends or ends its action, its own strike will continue until the FCT-specific demands are met.
“It is, however, important to note that even if NARD suspends or calls off its strike, ARD-FCTA will continue with its own indefinite strike action until all demands peculiar to our centre have been satisfactorily met,” the letter partly stated.
The union says its decision followed an emergency congress meeting on 29 October 2025 during which members voted unanimously to join the national strike and press local demands.
Among the grievances:
- Outstanding salary arrears of doctors employed since 2023.
- Need to recruit new doctors with firm commitment to conclude before end of 2025.
- Immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
- Correction of erroneous salary deductions and irregular salaries.
- Faster promotion processes: skipping, conversion to consultant cadre within six months, full payment of arrears.
- Payment of wage award arrears, hazard allowances, revision of the 25/35 % salary upgrade.
- Urgent renovation, equipping and upgrading of FCT hospitals to internationally acceptable standards.
These demands echo earlier disputes; in September 2025, the ARD-FCTA launched a similar strike over manpower shortages, unpaid allowances and dilapidated hospitals.
Resident doctors are the backbone of public hospital services in the FCT – their absence would seriously disrupt care delivery across the 14 district and general hospitals overseen by the FCT Administration.
However, Should the strike begin as scheduled, patients in Abuja may face delays, service gaps or closure of certain units if alternative staffing isn’t arranged. Given previous strikes, such as that in September where services were notably impacted, the risk is very real.
