The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, 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 President of the association, Dr. John Omotoso, disclosed the development in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday.
According to him, the suspension followed productive engagements between the association, the Ogun State Government, and the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the state.
The government’s commitment was reportedly made 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 explained that members carefully reviewed the progress made on their demands before deciding 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 said.
He noted that the decision was based on assurances received from government officials and the intervention of the state NMA leadership.
The association also directed all resident doctors to return to work immediately.
“We hereby direct that our members should resume work by 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026,” Omotoso stated.
To monitor compliance with the agreement, the association announced plans to hold an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) on August 1, 2026.
The meeting, according to the ARD president, will assess the level of implementation of the government’s commitments and determine the association’s next line of action if necessary.
Omotoso further cautioned against any form of victimisation, intimidation or harassment of members who participated in the industrial action.
“Members are advised to promptly report any act of victimisation, intimidation or harassment to the leadership of the association for appropriate intervention,” he said.
The association commended the intervention of the Ogun State Government under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun, noting that the resolution would help prevent disruptions to healthcare services and residency training programmes at the teaching hospital.
The warning strike, which commenced on Tuesday, was triggered by several unresolved issues affecting resident doctors.
Among the grievances were the non-payment of revised professional and specialist allowances, delayed release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and concerns over poor welfare conditions.
The doctors had argued that despite the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum previously issued to the government, no Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed and no concrete commitment had been made regarding the implementation and payment of the revised allowances and outstanding arrears.
Other concerns raised by the association included severe manpower shortages, excessive workload, staff burnout, prolonged working hours, security challenges within the hospital environment, poor condition of call rooms, inadequate accommodation facilities, and insufficient provision of quality meals for doctors on call.
The suspension of the strike is expected to restore normal medical services at OOUTH while stakeholders await the fulfilment of the government’s commitments.
