The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has assured resident doctors who are currently on indefinite strike that their grievances are being addressed through due process.
Wike made the statement during the inauguration of a road project in the FCT on Thursday, responding to complaints raised by doctors in Abuja. The doctors’ strike was triggered by several issues including six months’ unpaid salaries, backlog of critical allowances, manpower shortages and other welfare concerns.
The Minister emphasized that everything must follow procedure: “We lost our Head of Service; we just appointed an acting Head of Service … If the Permanent Secretary Treasury brings their bill now, why will I hold it? They will be paid.”
He cautioned against politicising the doctors’ demands, saying that while their grievances will be considered, civil service rules and due process apply.
Wike noted that demonstrations and strikes are democratic rights, but urged the striking doctors to keep actions lawful. He added, “Nobody will blackmail me, nobody will stop me from doing what I think is right.”
Wike pointed out that the 2025 capital budget for the FCT includes ₦25 billion allocated to capital health sector projects.
He promised that, as bills or documentation are processed (for example from the Treasury), the outstanding payments would be released.
The strike has significantly disrupted healthcare services across FCT, with multiple government hospitals affected.
In parallel, the Senate Committee on FCT Area Councils has appealed to the striking doctors to suspend industrial action while talks with the Minister continue.
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