The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration, ARD-FCTA, has called off its month-long indefinite strike, marking a temporary pause in a major disruption to healthcare delivery across the territory.
The industrial action, which began on November 1, 2025, significantly strained hospitals and stretched remaining personnel as resident doctors withdrew services to demand improved welfare, enhanced working conditions, and fair compensation.
The suspension was confirmed by the association’s president, Dr. George Ebong, who communicated the development early Monday.
According to him, the decision followed the approval of key demands by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He noted that the minister’s intervention provided a concrete basis for dialogue and a path toward resolving long-standing issues that had pushed doctors into industrial action.
Despite the suspension, the doctors adopted a cautious stance. The approval of their demands has not yet translated to implementation, and ARD-FCTA emphasized that the next four weeks will serve as a probationary window for the FCTA to deliver on its commitments.
The association warned that a failure to meet the agreed terms could trigger a resumption of the strike.
ARD-FCTA members work across 14 district and general hospitals under the FCTA, including the Department of Public Health.
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Their withdrawal of services had caused significant patient backlogs, longer waiting times, and increased pressure on consultants and other healthcare workers who attempted to fill the gaps.
Reports during the strike period indicated that emergency units were overstretched, elective procedures were postponed, and many residents seeking medical attention were forced to explore alternatives or endure delays.
The doctors’ demands are part of wider national concerns in the health sector, where professionals continue to advocate for competitive remuneration, adequate staffing, modern equipment, and safer working environments.
Resident doctors nationwide have repeatedly raised alarm about burnout, overstretched facilities, and brain drain, noting that many young doctors leave the country due to poor welfare and limited career support.
Dr. Ebong expressed optimism but maintained that only timely implementation will restore full confidence.
He stated that the association’s decision demonstrates goodwill and a willingness to collaborate, urging authorities to avoid actions that might reverse the progress made.
With the suspension now in effect, medical services across the FCT are expected to gradually return to normal.
At the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, doctors have returned to duty after a month-long nationwide strike that paralysed clinical services across federal health institutions.
The strike was rooted in longstanding grievances by resident doctors, who had repeatedly raised concerns about poor welfare and deteriorating conditions in public hospitals.
Key issues included a demand for a 200 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure,CONMESS, and the full implementation of allowances proposed since July 2022.
NARD also protested unpaid salary arrears, outstanding Medical Residency Training Fund payments, delayed promotions, and the absence of proper replacement for doctors who exit the system.
The association argued that bureaucratic delays had worsened staff shortages and overstretched the doctors who remained.
In addition, the union called for immediate recruitment of clinical staff to address manpower gaps, as well as improved facilities and structural reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s fragile healthcare system.
Speaking on Monday, President of the UCH chapter of NARD, Dr Gboyega Ajibola, said the national leadership of the association reviewed the situation at a meeting held on Nov. 29. He explained that the government had taken steps to meet most of the immediate and short-term demands.
He stated that both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding,MoU, outlining each demand and the agreed implementation plan.
“Based on the satisfactory terms of the MoU, the NARD NEC decided to suspend the industrial action and give the government a period of four weeks to re-appraise the efforts of the government as contained in the signed MoU,” Ajibola said.
He noted that, in line with NARD tradition, all chapters were directed to hold a congress on Dec. 1 to brief members on the outcome of the deliberations. At UCH, the congress held at 8 a.m. on Monday, where members were updated and instructed to resume work immediately.
Ajibola confirmed that doctors at the teaching hospital had fully resumed duty.
The resumption has restored key services at UCH, offering relief to thousands of patients who had faced delays in consultations, surgeries, and emergency care during the industrial action.
Health observers say the next four weeks will be crucial, as NARD evaluates the government’s commitment to implementing the MoU.
NAN
