LAUTECH resident doctors suspend 50-day strike

Resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo, have suspended their 50-day industrial action for an initial period of eight weeks following the intervention of Governor Seyi Makinde.

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, said its members would resume full clinical duties on Saturday, October 17, 2026, to allow the state government and hospital management to implement agreements reached with the association.

The decision was contained in a letter of appreciation dated October 16, 2026, addressed to the Chief of Staff to the Governor through the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service and the commissioners for Health and Establishment and Training.

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The letter was signed by the President of the association, Dr Mustapha Adedapo; the Public Relations Officer, Dr Abdulrahman Fofie; and the Assistant General Secretary, Dr Oladayo Bada.

The association expressed appreciation to Makinde for his intervention in the dispute, particularly his visit to the hospital and the stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday, October 15, at the Gangway Hall under his chairmanship.

It said the meeting, attended by key government officials, members of the hospital’s governing board, state lawmakers and other stakeholders, demonstrated the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of healthcare workers.

The association presented three major demands at the meeting: the passage of the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) Bill, payment of the 2025 minimum wage arrears, and implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table (PAT).

According to the letter, the governor approved the payment of the 2025 minimum wage arrears on or before mid-November 2026.

The government also agreed to constitute a multi-stakeholder committee comprising representatives of the ARD, the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), the Ministry of Health and the Governor’s Office.

The committee is expected to develop modalities for implementing the revised Professional Allowance Table within six weeks.

On the Medical Residency Training Act Bill, the association said the governor committed to ensuring its passage on or before October 28, 2026, and assent to the bill within the first week of November.

The doctors said the commitments demonstrated the state government’s resolve to improve healthcare workers’ welfare, strengthen the health system and promote quality healthcare delivery.

Following the outcome of the meeting, the association convened an emergency general meeting on Friday, October 16, where members reviewed the agreements and resolved to suspend the strike for eight weeks to allow time for their implementation.

The association expressed optimism that the government would fulfil its commitments within the agreed timelines, adding that it remained committed to constructive engagement, industrial harmony and providing quality healthcare services to the people of Oyo.