By Peter Omopo
September 19, 2025 | Abuja – The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) has suspended its indefinite strike and announced that members will return to work on Monday, September 22, at 8 a.m.
The development was confirmed on Friday by ARD-FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, who said the decision followed the intervention of the Senate Committee on Federal Territory Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, chaired by Senator David Jimkuta.
Ebong, however, noted that none of the doctors’ demands have been met. He explained that the suspension was a show of good faith, pending further engagement with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The resident doctors, who work across 14 district and general hospitals as well as the Department of Public Health under the FCTA, began the strike last Monday over salary arrears, recruitment delays, poor working conditions, and unpaid allowances.
Their demands include:
- Payment of salary arrears ranging from one to six months owed to doctors employed since 2023.
- Settlement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.
- Payment of arrears from the 25–35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.
- Recruitment of additional staff and resolution of erratic salary payment patterns.
- Conversion of post-Part II Fellows to the Consultant cadre within six months.
- Payment of wage award arrears, hazard allowances, and salaries owed to newly employed external residents.
- Renovation and equipping of FCTA hospitals to international standards.
Ebong added that the association appreciates the intervention of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and will reconvene in the coming weeks to reassess progress.
“The Congress has decided to give the assurances by the Senate a chance. If nothing is done within the agreed timeframe, we will determine the next line of action,” he stated.
