Despite the recent partial payment of salary arrears by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), resident doctors under the Association of Resident Doctors, FCT Chapter (ARD-FCTA), have vowed to continue their ongoing strike until all their outstanding demands are fully met. The decision has left many residents in Abuja stranded as public hospitals remain short-staffed, sparking renewed debate over the management of healthcare workers’ welfare and the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises.
Background: The Roots of the FCT Doctors’ Strike
The current strike action by FCT doctors did not emerge overnight. It is the culmination of months of frustration, broken promises, and delayed payments.
According to the ARD-FCTA leadership, the government has repeatedly failed to implement key agreements reached during earlier negotiations, especially concerning unpaid salary arrears, the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and the payment of newly employed doctors.
In 2023, about 28 doctors recruited under the FCTA were reportedly not paid for several months after resuming duty, a situation the union described as dehumanizing and unacceptable. The doctors also accused the administration of selectively implementing payments, leaving some of their members without full entitlements despite assurances from the authorities.
Partial Payment Not Enough, Say Doctors
Although the government announced that it had released funds to offset a portion of the salary arrears, the doctors insist that what was paid represents only a fraction of what is owed to them. The ARD-FCTA stated that several of their members are still being owed months of unpaid wages and training allowances, while others have not received their statutory residency funds.
In a statement by the association’s president, the doctors made it clear that the strike will continue until every affected doctor receives complete payment. They argued that the so-called “partial payment” should not be mistaken for the fulfillment of their demands, as it only addresses a small part of the overall issue.
“We appreciate the gesture from the administration, but partial payment is not resolution. We are professionals, and we deserve our full entitlements, not selective settlements,” one of the union leaders said during a briefing in Abuja.
Demands of the ARD-FCTA
The striking doctors outlined a series of demands that must be met before they will return to work. These include:
- Full payment of all outstanding salary arrears owed to resident doctors in the FCT.
- Payment of salaries to newly employed doctors who have not received any remuneration since their appointment in 2023.
- Immediate release of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for over 140 doctors who are yet to benefit from the federal government’s approved support scheme.
- Implementation of the corrected entry-level placement for doctors, ensuring that they are placed in accordance with national standards.
- Improved working conditions and welfare, including better hospital facilities and timely remuneration.
Government’s Position and Reaction
Officials of the FCTA claim that steps have been taken to address the doctors’ concerns. They insist that funds have been disbursed to settle some arrears and that further payments are in progress. The government also appealed to the doctors to show understanding, stating that economic constraints have made it difficult to release all funds at once.
However, the doctors maintain that they have been patient for too long. They argue that several of their colleagues in other federal institutions have received full payments under similar circumstances, raising questions about why FCT doctors are being treated differently.
The FCTA has also hinted that negotiations are ongoing and that it hopes the doctors will reconsider their stance in the interest of public health.
Impact on Healthcare Services in Abuja
The strike has already taken a heavy toll on healthcare delivery across the Federal Capital Territory. Patients have been turned away from several government hospitals, including major facilities such as Asokoro District Hospital, Wuse General Hospital, and Gwarinpa General Hospital.
Critical and emergency services are being overstretched, as consultants and a few remaining medical staff struggle to manage the growing influx of patients. Many residents, especially those from low-income backgrounds who rely on public hospitals, are now forced to seek treatment in private clinics — where costs are significantly higher.
Families with chronically ill members, including pregnant women and children, have expressed deep frustration, pleading with both the government and the doctors to find common ground quickly.
Broader Implications for Nigeria’s Health Sector
The FCT doctors’ strike underscores a much larger problem in Nigeria’s healthcare system: the recurring cycle of unpaid wages, poor welfare, and government neglect.
Every year, resident doctors across the country embark on industrial actions over similar issues — unpaid salaries, delayed training funds, poor infrastructure, and lack of insurance coverage.
Health experts warn that unless the federal and state governments take concrete steps to prioritize healthcare workers’ welfare, the country risks losing more doctors to migration — a trend that has already reached alarming levels.
According to recent reports, over 4,000 Nigerian doctors left the country between 2022 and 2024 in search of better working conditions abroad. The ongoing strike in the nation’s capital could further fuel this brain drain.
Public Reactions and Calls for Urgent Resolution
Public opinion has been sharply divided. While many Nigerians sympathize with the doctors, acknowledging their legitimate grievances, others have expressed concern about the impact on patients who cannot afford private healthcare.
Civil society groups have called on the FCTA Minister and the Federal Ministry of Health to urgently convene a high-level meeting with the union leaders to resolve the impasse.
Some have also suggested independent audits to ensure transparency in the disbursement of training and salary funds.
Healthcare advocates argue that the constant recurrence of such strikes damages public trust in the system and disrupts medical education, particularly for resident doctors undergoing specialist training.
The Way Forward
The ARD-FCTA insists that dialogue remains the only sustainable solution — but that dialogue must be backed by action, not promises. They have urged the government to demonstrate sincerity by releasing the withheld funds and addressing all pending issues once and for all.
For the FCT administration, resolving this strike is not just about paying salaries — it is about restoring confidence in the healthcare system and ensuring that medical professionals are motivated to serve.
