The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, has suspended its ongoing 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 reached during an emergency congress of the association held on Wednesday at the ARD Lounge within the teaching hospital. The development brings temporary relief to patients and healthcare administrators concerned about potential disruptions to medical services and residency training programmes.
Announcing the decision, ARD President Dr. John Omotoso said the suspension of the OOUTH doctors strike followed extensive discussions involving government officials and the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ogun State.
According to him, the government provided commitments during a meeting attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, the Head of Service, Mr. Olanrewaju Iskeel Saka, and representatives of the NMA.
Omotoso said members carefully assessed the progress made on their demands before agreeing to suspend the industrial action.
“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 July 31, 2026,” he stated.
He added that members were directed to return to duty immediately. “We hereby direct that our members should resume work by 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026,” he said.
The association also announced plans to convene an Emergency General Meeting on August 1, 2026, to review the government’s compliance with the agreement and determine any further action if necessary.
While suspending the OOUTH doctors strike, the association maintained that several issues raised during the dispute remain important to members. The resident doctors had commenced the warning strike on Tuesday over the non-payment of revised professional and specialist allowances, delayed release of training funds, and worsening welfare conditions.
The association argued that despite the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum previously issued to the government, no Memorandum of Understanding had been signed and no concrete implementation plan had been presented regarding outstanding allowances and arrears. Doctors also expressed concern over delays in the payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund despite its domestication by the state government.
Additional grievances included manpower shortages, excessive workloads, staff burnout, prolonged working hours, inadequate accommodation facilities, poor call rooms, security concerns within the hospital environment, and insufficient provision of call meals.
Omotoso urged members to report any cases of victimisation, intimidation, or harassment arising from their participation in the industrial action. The association also commended the intervention of the Ogun State Government under Governor Dapo Abiodun, noting that the resolution would help restore normal healthcare services and residency training activities.
The suspension of the OOUTH doctors strike is expected to ease pressure on patients seeking medical care at the state-owned teaching hospital while providing an opportunity for both parties to implement agreed commitments and address outstanding welfare concerns within the healthcare system.
