The Association of Resident Doctors at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, has called off 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 Punch reported that the decision was reached following discussions between representatives of the doctors and top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, and the Head of Service, Mr Olanrewaju Saka. Leaders of the Nigeria Medical Association in Ogun State also attended the meeting.
The ARD President, Dr John Omotoso, disclosed the development in a statement issued after an emergency congress held at the association’s lounge on Wednesday. The statement was made available to journalists on Thursday.
According to Omotoso, members agreed to suspend the industrial action after reviewing the government’s commitments and the progress made during negotiations.
He stated, “Following a thorough appraisal of the association’s demands and the progress made thus far, Congress resolved to suspend the ongoing industrial action, with the expectation that payment of the Professional Allowance will be effected and reflected in members’ accounts on or before 31st July, 2026
“This follows meetings and dialogue with the Ogun state government (The Secretary to the state Government SSG, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi) and the Head of Service Mr. Olanrewaju Iskeel Saka in the presence of NMA Ogun leadership.
“We hereby directed that our members should resume work by 8:00 am on Thursday, 25th June, 2026.”
The association consequently directed all resident doctors to return to their duty posts from 8 a.m. on Thursday.
Omotoso further revealed that an Emergency General Meeting has been scheduled for August 1, 2026, to assess the government’s compliance with its commitments and determine the association’s next steps.
The doctors also cautioned against any victimisation, intimidation or harassment of members arising from their participation in the strike, urging affected individuals to promptly report such incidents to the association’s leadership for necessary action.
The ARD commended the intervention of the Ogun State Government under Governor Dapo Abiodun, noting that the move helped avert disruptions to healthcare delivery and residency training programmes at the state-owned teaching hospital.
The resident doctors had embarked on the warning strike on Tuesday, citing the non-payment of revised professional and specialist allowances, delays in the release of training funds, and deteriorating welfare conditions.
They had argued that despite the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the government, no Memorandum of Understanding had been signed and there was no firm commitment on the implementation and payment of revised Professional and Specialist Allowances, including accumulated arrears.
Among other grievances raised were delays in the disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund despite its adoption by the government, as well as acute manpower shortages that have led to excessive workload, burnout and prolonged working hours for doctors.
The association also highlighted security concerns within the hospital, including incidents of theft and burglary, poor condition of doctors’ call rooms, inadequate accommodation facilities, and the persistent provision of substandard call meals for resident doctors.
