FCT Resident Doctors Begin Indefinite Strike Over Unmet Grievances
Abuja, (September 15, 2025)
Resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have commenced an indefinite strike as of Monday, September 15, 2025, over what they describe as long-standing and unmet demands. The action is being taken under the banner of the Association of Resident Doctors-FCT Administration (ARD-FCT).
The indefinite strike follows a seven-day warning strike that concluded on Sunday, September 14, which failed to yield any satisfactory response from the government or hospital management.
An emergency general meeting held by ARD-FCT on September 14 ratified the decision to escalate the action.
The resident doctors have listed several key demands that, according to them, have remained unresolved. These include Settlement of salary arrears — some spanning from one to six months, Recruitment of additional staff to ease overwhelming workloads, Immediate release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, Payment of arrears from the 25–35% Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, Clear timelines for promotion exercises and conversion of post-Part II Fellows to Consultants, Renovation and proper equipping of FCT hospitals, Regularization of salary payments and correction of erroneous deductions.
ARD-FCT doctors serve in 14 district and general hospitals in the FCT, plus the Department of Public Health. The strike is expected to significantly disrupt healthcare delivery in Abuja and its environs.
Excessive workloads are a recurring theme in their complaints. In some hospitals, doctors say a single physician handles more than 30-40 patients, and performs a high number of surgical procedures like Caesarean sections in a single period.
According to the doctors, the shortage of manpower, delayed payments, under-resourced hospitals, and weak welfare systems are not just administrative issues — they are affecting both doctor morale and patient care.
In the communique issued at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, ARD-FCT President Dr. George Ebong and General Secretary Dr. Agbor Affiong appealed for urgent government action, warning that the strike will continue “until the government and hospital management demonstrate genuine commitment to the welfare of doctors and the health of FCT residents.”
The doctors expressed frustration at what they call chronic neglect of the FCT healthcare system. They indicated that prior warnings and negotiations have largely been ignored.
As of the latest reports, there has been no public response from the FCT Administration confirming acceptance of the demands. The government has yet to engage in fresh negotiations (beyond earlier talks that preceded the warning strike).
Hospitals affected are likely to see reduced services, especially in non-emergency departments. Patients awaiting non-urgent care may face delays.
