In a landmark decision celebrated as a significant step toward resolving healthcare issues in the nation’s capital city, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has formally accepted the demands presented by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the FCTA. This endorsement effectively ended the strike that had severely hampered public health services.
Wike made this announcement on Friday during the launch of the Northern Parkway construction project, which stretches from Ring Road II to Ring III in Abuja’s Life Camp area.
He commended the medical professionals for their readiness to call off the strike, which began on September 15, recognizing their cooperative attitude.
“I want to thank the doctors-consider-nationwide-strike-after-federal-ultimatum/” title=”Resident … Threaten Nationwide … as Deadline to Federal Government Passes”>resident doctors for suspending their industrial action; the government deeply appreciates their understanding,” Wike stated.
Showing decisive leadership, he added, “Today, I have authorized all the requests submitted by the doctors that were pending on my desk.”
To ensure rapid implementation, the minister directed the FCT acting Head of Service and his senior special adviser on Administration, Samuel Atang, to expedite the processing of the approved documents.
This resolution brings much-needed relief to numerous patients depending on FCT public hospitals, which had been operating at a drastically reduced capacity for over a week.
The strike was triggered by the doctors due to unpaid salary arrears and several unresolved issues following months of stalled talks with the FCT Administration (FCTA).
Their primary demands included clearing salary arrears ranging from one to six months for staff employed since 2023, urgent recruitment to fill critical workforce gaps, and the release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.
Other concerns involved settling arrears after the recent increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, setting firm timelines for promotion and conversion processes, correcting irregular salary payments, and addressing outstanding wage award arrears along with a 13-month backlog of hazard allowances.
Wike’s prompt approval, coming just days after the strike began, is widely seen as a strategic effort to prevent a prolonged disruption of healthcare delivery in the FCT.
In addition to healthcare, the minister highlighted the broader benefits of the new road project, emphasizing its potential to create employment opportunities, ease traffic congestion, and boost economic activity within the capital.
