The Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils and Ancillary Matters has urged members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), FCT chapter, to suspend their ongoing strike immediately.
At an emergency meeting on Thursday, the committee—led by Chairman Senator David Jimkuta (Taraba South)—met with the leadership of the striking doctors and pledged to engage urgently with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to resolve their demands.
The senators assured the doctors that their grievances were receiving attention and promised to escalate the matter directly to the Minister.
Senator Jimkuta acknowledged the devastating effect of the strike on healthcare delivery in the capital and appealed to doctors to resume duties while negotiations continue.
“We are pleading with you—please return to work and continue saving lives. I will personally meet with the Minister tomorrow, and I am confident we will achieve something concrete. We cannot stand by while people die because doctors are on strike,” he said.
He praised the doctors for their selfless fight, stressing that their demands focused on strengthening Nigeria’s ailing healthcare system rather than pursuing personal gain.
The FCT chapter of NARD declared an indefinite strike last week over unpaid salary arrears dating back to 2023, unexplained allowance deductions, and the failure to upgrade resident doctors who completed specialist training but continue to be paid as medical officers.
The committee also proposed a joint session involving the National Assembly, the FCT health administration, and representatives of the doctors to facilitate direct negotiations and secure a lasting solution.