The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan chapter, has suspended its five-day warning strike, bringing relief to patients and the medical community in Oyo State.
Speaking to journalists in Ibadan on Sunday, the UCH NARD president, Dr. Gboyega Ajibola, confirmed that the suspension followed a resolution of the national leadership of the association after an extraordinary NEC meeting held over the weekend.
“Following the resolution of the NARD Extraordinary NEC meeting held yesterday into the early hours of today, members of ARD UCH have now resumed their duty posts at 8:00 a.m. today, Sunday. We are fully back to work, ready to attend to patients and Nigerians in need of quality healthcare,” Dr. Ajibola said.
The doctors embarked on the warning strike last week to push for the settlement of outstanding demands. Among the key issues were the payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), salary arrears under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and the long-delayed 2024 equipment allowance.
Ajibola explained that the decision to suspend the strike was based on commitments made by the federal government, including the commencement of MRTF payments to members who were previously left out. He added that the government has been given a two-week window to fully implement the demands outlined in the association’s communiqué.
While suspending the strike, NARD issued a strong appeal to the Oyo State government to heed the 15-day ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the state. The ultimatum concerns unresolved welfare issues at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
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“Failure to comply will leave us with no option but to embark on an indefinite solidarity strike across the state,” Ajibola warned.
NARD further empowered its members in state tertiary hospitals across Nigeria to continue their respective industrial actions until state governments show genuine commitment to resolving welfare challenges.
The doctors reiterated their resolve to work with all levels of government to build a more effective healthcare system but maintained that poor working conditions and delayed entitlements continue to undermine service delivery.
The suspension of the strike is seen as a temporary reprieve for patients in Ibadan and beyond, but the association made it clear that the clock is ticking for the government to act decisively on its promises.
