Resident doctors at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, have suspended their 10-day warning strike following assurances from the Ogun State Government that outstanding professional allowances will be paid on or before July 31, 2026.
The decision was announced in a statement issued by the President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Dr John Omotoso, after an emergency congress held on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the suspension followed discussions between the association and senior state government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, and the Head of Service, Olanrewaju Saka. The leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ogun State also participated in the meeting.
After reviewing the government’s commitments, the association resolved to end the industrial action and instructed its members to resume work from 8:00 a.m. on Thursday.
Dr Omotoso said the suspension was based on the expectation that the promised professional allowances would be paid and reflected in members’ accounts by the agreed deadline. He added that the association would hold another emergency congress on August 1 to assess the government’s compliance and determine its next line of action.
The doctors also cautioned against any form of victimisation, intimidation, or harassment of members over their participation in the strike, urging affected individuals to report such incidents to the association for appropriate action.
The ARD commended the Ogun State Government, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, for intervening promptly to prevent a prolonged disruption of healthcare services and residency training at the teaching hospital.
The warning strike began on Tuesday over the non-payment of revised professional and specialist allowances, delays in the release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, and concerns over deteriorating welfare conditions.
The association had earlier complained that despite issuing a 14-day ultimatum, the government had yet to sign a Memorandum of Understanding or make a firm commitment to implementing the revised allowances and settling outstanding arrears.
Resident doctors also raised concerns about persistent manpower shortages, which they said had resulted in excessive workloads, burnout, and extended working hours.
Other issues highlighted included repeated security breaches, theft and burglary within the hospital premises, poor conditions of doctors’ call rooms, and inadequate quality and supply of call meals.
OOUTH Doctors Call Off Warning Strike After Ogun Govt Assurances
19
