Resident doctors at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, have returned to work following a month-long nationwide strike declared by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The industrial action, which began on November 1, was called after the Federal Government failed to meet key demands, including a 200% increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), full implementation of new allowances introduced in July 2022, immediate recruitment of clinical personnel and the removal of bureaucratic delays affecting the replacement of exited doctors.
Speaking on the development, President of UCH’s NARD chapter, Dr. Gboyega Ajibola, confirmed that the association’s National Executive Council met on November 29 to reassess the situation. According to him, the government has now met most of the doctors’ immediate and short-term demands.
Ajibola added that a memorandum of understanding had been signed with the government, clearly outlining all demands and agreed execution processes.
“Based on the satisfactory terms of the MoU, the NARD NEC resolved to suspend the industrial action and allow a four-week window to assess the government’s compliance,” he said.
Following NARD’s directive, all centres held a congress on December 1 to brief members and issue resumption instructions. At UCH, the congress was held at 8 a.m. on Monday, after which all resident doctors were directed to resume duties immediately.
Ajibola confirmed that all members complied and fully resumed work the same day.
