The Oyo State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has threatened to embark on strike action if the state government fails to address its demands by October 2, 2025.
Speaking at a press conference held at the NMA House, Total Garden, Ibadan, the state chairman, Dr. Happy Adedapo, said doctors across Oyo State could no longer guarantee industrial harmony unless urgent steps were taken by the government to resolve lingering issues affecting the health sector.
Dr. Adedapo stated that members of the association would embark on a seven-day warning strike immediately after the ultimatum lapses. He added that if the government remains unresponsive after the warning strike, doctors would proceed on an indefinite strike.
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Appealing to stakeholders to intervene, he urged traditional rulers, civil society organisations, opinion leaders and other well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on Governor Seyi Makinde to avert a total shutdown of healthcare facilities in the state.
According to him, “Let it also be known that our Association has exhausted all avenues of dialogue and consultation in the interest of peace and stability within the health sector of Oyo State, but it is rather unfortunate that the Oyo State Government has deliberately chosen to rebuff all our patriotic gestures with indifference to the plight of our members in her employment.”
He explained that the association issued a 15-day ultimatum to the state government effective from September 18, 2025, noting that industrial harmony would no longer be guaranteed at the expiration of the deadline if their minimum demands were not met.
The NMA chairman further highlighted the plight of resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, who have been on strike since July 29, 2025. He described the situation as regrettable and warned that the institution risked total collapse due to the government’s lack of commitment towards resolving the crisis.
Dr. Adedapo outlined the association’s key demands, which include the immediate implementation of the latest CONMESS salary structure for doctors, prompt payment of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), immediate disbursement of accoutrement allowance, fair and competitive wages for clinical lecturers, and swift implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage, already being enjoyed by other categories of workers in the state.
On infrastructure, the NMA called for urgent investment in hospital facilities, replacement of obsolete medical equipment, and improved funding to strengthen service delivery across Oyo State health institutions.
The association also demanded the employment of more resident doctors to address the workforce shortage as well as the urgent inauguration of a governing board for LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
