OGUN RESIDENT DOCTORS GIVE FMC 21-DAY ULTIMATUM OVER UNPAID SALARIES, ALLOWANCES

Resident doctors at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the hospital’s management to settle outstanding salaries, allowances and other welfare-related entitlements owed to members of the association.

The doctors, under the Association of Resident Doctors, said failure by the management to satisfactorily address the outstanding issues within the stipulated period could lead to industrial action, raising concerns over the possible impact of the dispute on healthcare delivery at the tertiary institution.

The demands were contained in a communique issued after the association’s August 2026 congress meeting and signed by its President, Dr Olanipekun Quadri, and Secretary, Dr Olorunfemi Solomon.

Among the issues raised by the doctors are outstanding salary shortfalls, the restoration of professional allowances that were omitted, and payment of arrears resulting from discrepancies in members’ salaries. The association also demanded that the hospital expedite the payment of outstanding burial rights and other entitlements due to deceased members and their families.

The resident doctors said the 21-day ultimatum followed a detailed review of the various complaints and unresolved welfare concerns affecting their members. They urged the management to use the period to address the outstanding matters and prevent the dispute from escalating into a strike.

The association also called for compensation for members whose valuables were reportedly stolen, adding that welfare issues affecting doctors should be given adequate attention by the hospital authorities.

The development comes amid another dispute involving resident doctors in neighbouring Oyo State, where members of the Association of Resident Doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, have embarked on an indefinite strike.

The LAUTECH doctors have complained about increased workload and poor remuneration, while also expressing frustration over what they described as a lack of official communication from the Oyo State Government since the commencement of their industrial action.

The President of the LAUTECH association, Dr Adedapo Mustapha, said the doctors had not received any official communication from the state government or relevant ministries since the strike began.

According to him, representatives of the Ministry of Health had only provided verbal assurances, while the doctors continued to deal with what he described as increasing workload and inadequate remuneration.

Mustapha said the association remained willing to engage with the relevant stakeholders to resolve the dispute and appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene.

The doctors maintained that their concerns extend beyond personal welfare, arguing that better working conditions, adequate remuneration and improved staffing arrangements are also necessary to protect patients and maintain quality healthcare services.

The Ogun development therefore places renewed attention on the welfare of resident doctors and the need for hospital authorities to resolve outstanding financial and professional issues before they develop into wider disruptions in healthcare delivery.