The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD FCTA), has commenced a three-day warning strike over unpaid salaries, allowances, and other outstanding claims. The strike has brought activities to a standstill in government hospitals across Abuja, including Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, Zuba, and Kwali.
Dr. George Ebong, President of ARD FCTA, announced the strike during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday 22nd January 2025. He explained that the strike follows the lapse of a three-week ultimatum issued by the doctors last year.
Ebong decried the neglect of hospitals and the welfare of doctors in the nation’s capital. He urged the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, to intervene to prevent an indefinite closure of hospitals.
The decision to embark on the three-day warning strike was reached during a Congress held by ARD FCTA 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,” Ebong stated.
He further explained: “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,” Ebong emphasised.
“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,” he added.
Recall that the ARD FCTA issued a 14-day strike warning to the FCT minister on 23rd December 2025, threatening a closure if their demands were not met. The ultimatum expired on 6th January 2025.
Some of the doctors’ claims include the clearance of the 2024 Medical Residency Training Fund, implementation of skipping and issuance of skipping letters to doctors employed in 2023, immediate payment of accoutrements allowance for 2024, and payment of outstanding 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears.
