The Federal Capital Territory branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a 14-day strike ultimatum to the management of the National Hospital, Abuja, over the dismissal of three medical doctors.
The association, in a strongly worded memo dated June 13, 2025, warned that its members at the National Hospital would embark on a total and indefinite strike action from June 30 if the sacked doctors are not reinstated by then. The NMA also cautioned that if the demands remain unmet after seven days of the hospital-based strike, the industrial action would extend to involve all NMA members across the FCT.
The decision to issue the ultimatum followed deliberations at the association’s Ordinary General Meeting held in Abuja on June 11, 2025.
The memo, signed by the NMA FCT Chairman, Dr. Ayogu Emeka, and the Assistant Secretary, Dr. Usman Hafiz, was titled, “Notice of 14 days strike ultimatum for vehemently refusing to reinstate our disengaged members.”
“It has become imperative to formally communicate the position and decision of the Supreme Congress of NMA FCT Branch regarding the disengagement of our members who were casualised as locum consultants for three years without any justifiable reason from the management of National Hospital, Abuja,” the memo read.
The association described the dismissals as unjust and discriminatory, alleging that the hospital’s management unfairly targeted three consultants out of 30 doctors in the same employment category.
“The Congress of the NMA FCT Branch frowns at this sad development after extensively deliberating on the matter at our OGM, where members consider the action by NHA management as selective victimisation and scapegoating of three medical doctors (consultants) out of the 30 in the same category,” the memo stated.
The NMA FCT explained that numerous attempts had been made to address the issue amicably with the hospital’s leadership, but these overtures were ignored.
“Sir, recall the NMA FCT made numerous entreaties and embarked on advocacy visits to the management of your hospital, appealing to it to reverse the sad and ill-treatment meted out to our members all in a bid to ensure harmonious working relationship and to forestall disruption of healthcare services to the good people of FCT and beyond.
“These included advocacy visits by the President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Bala M. Audu, high-level advocacy visits led by the Chairman of NMA FCT, and a high-level advocacy committee whose membership includes very senior doctors of enviable and reputable characters, so you reconsider and reinstate the affected members. Despite all the peaceful approaches by the association, there has been no positive response or action taken to address this crucial issue,” the memo added.
The association further noted that the situation has wider implications, as the Nigerian health sector continues to grapple with the mass migration of medical professionals abroad, leading to shortages and increased burdens on those remaining in the country.
“Among other reasons advanced by the various stakeholders that met with your management on this matter was the mass migration of Nigerian medical professionals abroad, which has further strained our healthcare system, leading to critical shortages and increased workloads for those remaining.
“The disengagement of our members exacerbates these issues, contributing to deteriorating mental health and economic hardship among doctors. The stress of understaffing coupled with the fear of unjust termination has led to anxiety, reduced productivity, and financial insecurity among members,” the NMA FCT emphasised.
“It is with deep regret that we inform you that having exhausted all peaceful means without any positive result, the association is left with no other option but to initiate a two-week strike action notice, starting from 15th of June 2025 to midnight of 29th of June 2025, following which members at the National Hospital Abuja will proceed on a total and indefinite strike action from the 30th of June 2025 and if those members are not reinstated after seven days of commencing the strike in National Hospital, Abuja, the entire members of the NMA FCT branch will join them in a total and indefinite strike action.
“We urge the hospital management to treat this matter with the utmost urgency and seriousness it deserves to avoid the disruption of services that will adversely affect patients and the health sector of FCT at large.
“We look forward to seizing this opportunity to amicably resolve this matter satisfactorily within the stipulated time frame,” the association concluded.
