The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), has confirmed that some of its members have received payments for outstanding salary arrears and allowances.
Despite this partial implementation, the doctors stated that the ongoing indefinite strike in solidarity with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) will continue until all their specific demands are met.
ARD-FCTA President, Dr George Ebong, said in a statement on Wednesday that 28 doctors who had been owed salary arrears ranging from one month to one year were paid two nights ago.
He added that some doctors also received their Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), though 47 of the 150 eligible doctors are still awaiting payment.
Dr Ebong expressed appreciation to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, describing the payments as the beginning of the implementation of their demands. However, he maintained that meeting only part of their requests is not enough to end the strike.
He noted that the association remains open to dialogue and acknowledged ongoing discussions with the National Assembly and FCTA management.
“Two nights ago, the 28 doctors who had been owed their salary arrears for more than two years, ranging between 1 month to 6 months to 1 year, were paid.
“Also the MRTF of some doctors was also paid. Out of 150 doctors owed by the MRTF, only 103 were paid; there is a remainder of 47 doctors not yet paid.
“Salaries were also paid yesterday (Tuesday) starting from the morning time.
“We are indeed grateful to the Honourable Minister for the beginning of the implementation of demands.
“These demands are very pertinent to this strike and are also the prerequisite to the suspension of this strike both at the NARD level and also at the ARD-FCTA.
“While we are grateful for the dialogues that we have been involved in at the National Assembly and the FCTA management, we hope to find a lasting solution to the lamentable situation of our healthcare system.
“Finally, the management and the government should not always wait for a strike to occur before scampering to listen to our yearning.
“Our sincere appreciation once more to the HM FCT, Nyesom Wike, for his leadership and commitment to our country as we continue to work together to ensure that we continue our commitment to the welfare of our patients while we as health professionals are not neglected (again).
“However, the indefinite strike will continue until the rest of our demands are met,” he stated.
The association also listed several conditions that must be fulfilled before the strike can be suspended both at the national level (NARD) and within the FCTA. These include: immediate payment of MRTF for the remaining 47 doctors, settlement of salaries owed to external resident doctors for 6–7 months, payment of long-standing skipping arrears, overdue promotion arrears, post-Part II conversion arrears, implementation of the CONMESS 25 percent/35 percent adjustment already in effect in federal institutions, payment of the approved wage award, settlement of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears dating back to 2021, immediate employment of additional healthcare workers, and improvement of working conditions across all FCTA health facilities.
ARD-FCTA has been on an indefinite strike since Saturday, November 1, 2025, in protest over the government’s delay in implementing its approved demands.
