The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD FCTA), has embarked on a three-day warning strike to protest unpaid salaries, allowances, and other unresolved demands.
The strike, which began on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, has disrupted medical services in several government hospitals across the FCT, including those in Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, Zuba, and Kwali.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the ARD FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, explained that the decision followed the expiration of a three-week ultimatum issued to the government last year.
Dr. Ebong expressed frustration over the lack of progress in addressing the doctors’ grievances, stating, “This strike is a last resort after all other measures to resolve these issues amicably failed.”
He emphasized that the strike aims to draw attention to the plight of resident doctors and urged the FCTA to prioritize healthcare workers’ welfare to prevent further disruptions in the sector.
Speaking on behalf of ARD, Ebong decried the neglect of hospitals and doctors’ welfare in the nation’s capital.
He called on the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, to intervene to avoid an indefinite shutdown of hospitals.
According to him, the decision to embark on the three-day warning strike is a fallout from a Congress held by its members on Tuesday.
“The three-day strike is being implemented across all government hospitals in Abuja—from Wuse to Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, Zuba, Kwali, Abaji, Nyanya and all other hospitals in Abuja,” he stated.
“We gave the government a three-week ultimatum to meet our demands, and after that, we met with them and dialogued on several occasions. They pleaded for two weeks, but after that elapsed, nothing has been done. Not even the minimum thing. We expected them to pay for the six months of unpaid arrears to doctors.
“Honestly, doctors have been abandoned projects. Just as the roads are being constructed, the welfare of doctors should be considered by the minister.”
“After this three-day strike, we will do an appraisal. If nothing is done, we will go on an indefinite strike.
“We want the Minister of FCT to solve this problem to avert an indefinite shutdown of the hospitals in Abuja.”
Recall that the ARD FCTA issued a 14-day ultimatum strike warning to the FCT minister on December 23, 2025, warning of an impending shutdown over failure to meet its demands.
The ultimatum elapsed on January 6, 2025.
Some of the demands of the doctors include, ” For the minister to clear the Medical Residency Training Fund of 2024. Implementation of skipping and issuance of skipping letters to its members employed in 2023. Immediate payment of accoutrements allowance for 2024 and payment of outgoing 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears, among other demands.
