DOCTORS SUSPEND STRIKE AS OGUN GOVT COMMITS TO CLEAR OUTSTANDING ALLOWANCES
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, has suspended its 10-day warning strike after receiving assurances from the state government that outstanding professional allowances will be paid on or before July 31, 2026.
The decision followed a meeting between representatives of the doctors and the Ogun State Government, attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, the Head of Service, Olanrewaju Saka, and leaders of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in the state.
The ARD President, Dr. John Omotoso, announced the suspension in a statement issued after an emergency congress held on Wednesday. He said members had been directed to resume work by 8 a.m. on Thursday following a review of the government’s commitments.
According to Omotoso, the association resolved to halt the industrial action in anticipation that the revised Professional Allowance would be paid and reflected in members’ accounts by the agreed deadline.
He noted that the decision was reached after constructive engagements with state officials and the NMA leadership, adding that the association would closely monitor compliance with the agreement.
The doctors are expected to reconvene for an Emergency General Meeting on August 1, 2026, to assess the government’s level of compliance and determine further action if necessary.
The association also warned against any form of victimisation, intimidation, or harassment of its members over their participation in the strike, urging affected doctors to report such incidents to the leadership for intervention.
ARD commended the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun for its timely intervention in resolving issues capable of disrupting healthcare services and residency training at the state-owned teaching hospital.
The doctors had embarked on the warning strike on Tuesday over the non-payment of revised professional and specialist allowances, delayed residency training funds, and deteriorating welfare conditions.
They had expressed concern that despite the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum, the government had neither signed a Memorandum of Understanding nor provided firm commitments on the implementation and payment of the revised allowances and outstanding arrears.
Other grievances included delays in the release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, critical manpower shortages leading to excessive workloads and burnout, recurring security breaches within the hospital, poor accommodation and call-room facilities, and inadequate provision of call meals for resident doctors.
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