OOUTH Resident Doctors End Strike Following Ogun State Allowance Assurance

The Association of Resident Doctors at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), located in Sagamu, Ogun State, has officially called off its ten-day warning strike. This development follows a pledge from the state government to disburse professional allowances owed to its members by July 31, 2026.

According to a statement released by Dr. John Omotoso, the President of the association, the commitment was secured during a crucial meeting. Key attendees included Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, the Secretary to the State Government, and Mr. Olanrewaju Saka, the Head of Service, with the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ogun State also present.

Dr. Omotoso’s statement, issued on Thursday after an emergency meeting held on Wednesday, confirmed the suspension of the industrial action. Members were directed to resume their duties by 8 a.m. on Thursday. He elaborated: “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, Mr Tokunbo Talabi) and the Head of Service, Mr Olanrewaju Iskeel Saka, in the presence of the NMA Ogun leadership. We hereby direct that our members should resume work by 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, 25th June, 2026.”

Looking ahead, the association plans to convene another emergency general meeting on August 1, 2026, to assess the situation and plan future actions. The doctors also issued a strong caution against any acts of victimisation, intimidation, or harassment linked to the recent strike, urging members to promptly report such incidents for intervention.

The resident doctors praised the Ogun State government, under Governor Dapo Abiodun, for its swift intervention in resolving issues that could have significantly impacted healthcare delivery and residency training at the state-owned teaching hospital.

The industrial action, which began on Tuesday, was a warning strike protesting several grievances. These included the outstanding payment of revised professional and specialist allowances, delays in the disbursement of training funds, and a general deterioration of welfare conditions. The doctors had previously issued a 14-day ultimatum, which expired without a signed Memorandum of Understanding or a firm commitment regarding the implementation and payment of the revised allowances and their arrears.

Further concerns highlighted by the doctors included persistent delays in the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, despite its domestication by the state government, and severe manpower shortages leading to excessive workloads, burnout, and extended working hours. Other issues raised encompassed recurring security breaches, theft, and burglary within the hospital premises, the poor state of call rooms, and insufficient or substandard quality of meals provided for resident doctors on call.