ABUJA, Nigeria — Resident doctors in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory will begin an indefinite strike on Saturday, November 1, citing unresolved welfare issues and administrative delays. The Association of Resident Doctors under the FCTA (ARD-FCTA) said the action follows months of unfulfilled promises and government inaction.
In a letter dated October 30, ARD-FCTA informed FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of its decision. “The Congress unanimously votes to fully join the NARD-declared strike in its entirety. Even if NARD suspends or calls off its strike, ARD-FCTA will continue its own indefinite strike action until all demands peculiar to our Centre have been satisfactorily met,” the notice read.
The doctors are demanding payment of outstanding salaries, hazard allowances, improved working conditions, and implementation of promotions. Despite Wike’s public statement in September that he had approved all pending requests, ARD-FCTA says no action has followed. “I have signed all the doctors’ requests on my table today,” Wike had said during a public event.
Dr. George Ebong, ARD-FCTA President, expressed frustration over the delay. “We suspended our last strike in good faith, trusting the minister’s assurances. But weeks have passed, and nothing has changed,” he said.
The strike is expected to severely impact public hospitals in Abuja, with emergency services, outpatient clinics, and elective procedures likely to be affected. Patients and advocacy groups have voiced concern over the timing and potential consequences.
“This is deeply worrying,” said Abuja resident Ngozi Okafor, whose mother is scheduled for surgery next week. “We understand the doctors’ plight, but the government must act fast to prevent needless suffering.”
Healthcare experts warn that the strike could exacerbate existing challenges in the FCT’s medical system, which has faced staffing shortages and infrastructure gaps for years. “The situation in FCT hospitals has reached a breaking point. Without new hands since 2011, the pressure on existing doctors has become unbearable,” said Dr. Amina Yusuf, a public health consultant.
As of Friday evening, the FCTA had not issued an official response to the renewed strike threat. Sources within the administration say internal discussions are ongoing, but no formal engagement with the doctors has been confirmed.
With the strike set to begin at midnight, residents and medical professionals alike are bracing for disruption, while calls grow louder for urgent government intervention.
