Resident doctors under the Federal Capital Territory Administration will commence an indefinite strike at midnight on Saturday, November 1, 2025, over what they described as unresolved welfare and administrative challenges affecting their members.
The decision was contained in a letter dated October 30 and addressed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The letter was jointly signed by the President of the Association of Resident Doctors, FCTA chapter, Dr. George Ebong, and the General Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong.
According to the association, the strike aligns with the nationwide industrial action earlier declared by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors. However, the FCT chapter said it will sustain its own action even if the national body suspends its strike.
“The Congress unanimously voted to fully join the NARD-declared indefinite strike in its entirety,” the association stated.
“It is important to note that even if NARD suspends or calls off its strike, ARD-FCTA will continue with its own indefinite strike until all demands peculiar to our centre have been satisfactorily met.”
The association said previous engagements with authorities have not yielded results, leaving critical issues unresolved.
The strike is expected to disrupt service delivery across 14 district and general hospitals, as well as the Department of Public Health, where resident doctors form the bulk of the medical workforce.
The doctors are demanding the immediate payment of outstanding salary arrears for members employed since 2023; the recruitment of additional medical personnel with a definite timeline for completion before the end of 2025; and the payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.
Other demands include an end to alleged wrongful salary deductions, timely implementation of skipping and conversion processes, promotion arrears, payment of wage award balances, and the upgrading and renovation of FCTA hospitals to meet standard operational requirements.
“This notice is to alert all relevant authorities to the impending industrial action and the need for urgent intervention to prevent further collapse of healthcare delivery in the FCT,” the letter added.
