Resident doctors at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, have commenced a 10-day warning strike, citing years of unpaid allowances and severe staffing shortages that they say have pushed healthcare workers to breaking point.
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) said the industrial action was approved during its second-quarter congress held at Adebola Adegunwa Hall on Monday.
According to the association, its primary grievance centres on the Ogun State Government’s failure to implement and pay the revised Professional Allowance and Specialist Allowance, including outstanding arrears.
“Congress expressed serious concerns regarding the non-implementation and non-payment of the revised Professional Allowance and Specialist Allowance, including outstanding arrears,” the association said in a communiqué signed by its President, Dr. John Omotoso.
The doctors noted that the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum had failed to produce any concrete commitment from the authorities.
“Congress noted that despite the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum, no Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed and no firm commitment to payment has been received from the relevant authorities,” the communiqué stated.
Beyond remuneration, the doctors highlighted several workplace and welfare concerns affecting service delivery and employee wellbeing. These include delays in the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund, critical manpower shortages, recurrent security breaches, poor call-room facilities, and inadequate call meals.
Following deliberations, the congress unanimously resolved to embark on a 10-day warning strike and demanded the immediate release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund. It also insisted that the revised Professional Allowance and Specialist Allowance be reflected in the July 2026 salary payments.
“The congress unanimously decided to proceed on a 10-day warning strike, demand the immediate payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, and ensure that the revised Professional Allowance and Specialist Allowance are reflected in the July 2026 salary payment,” the association stated.
To ensure compliance with the industrial action, the association announced sanctions for members who disregard the directive.
“Any doctor found disobeying the directive of the association during the 10-day warning strike would pay a fine of N50,000,” it warned, adding that an emergency meeting would be convened at the end of the strike to assess developments and determine the next course of action.
