Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Resident doctors under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) have commenced an indefinite strike today, insisting their action will continue regardless of any national decision by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The move follows an emergency congress held on 29 October. In a statement on Friday signed by the association’s President, Dr George Ebong, the group says their grievances are unique to the FCT and remain unresolved.
“Even if NARD suspends its strike, ARD-FCTA will continue with our own until all centre-specific demands are fully met,” Dr Ebong says.
Public hospitals across Abuja are expected to experience significant service disruptions, adding to strain already created by the nationwide NARD strike.
ARD-FCTA lists outstanding issues including unpaid salaries since 2023, delayed promotions, unfilled vacancies and non-payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund. The association also demands payment of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears and full implementation of the 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS adjustments.
NARD President Dr Muhammad Suleiman urges President Bola Tinubu to intervene, saying doctors are owed between ₦35 billion and ₦38 billion in accumulated allowances.
“We are the ones working daily to keep hospitals running. Yet, we are unpaid. We are simply asking for fairness,” he says.
The strike is expected to further strain Nigeria’s public health system already grappling with manpower shortages and migration of medical professionals abroad.
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Korede Abdullah