Key Points
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UCH resident doctors strike ends after month-long work stoppage.
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Hospital management pledges phased payment of arrears and allowances.
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Resumption improves patient care and reduces healthcare disruptions.
Resident doctors at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, resumed work on Monday, bringing an end to a nationwide, month-long industrial action that began on November 1. The strike was initiated by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) after the federal government failed to meet several critical demands affecting medical staff.
During the strike, hospital operations were disrupted, with elective procedures postponed and emergency care stretched as doctors withdrew their services.
The doctors had demanded a 200 percent increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), full implementation of new allowances proposed since July 2022, the immediate recruitment of additional clinical staff, and the removal of bureaucratic hurdles delaying replacement of existing doctors.
Agreement with government secures resumption
Dr. Gboyega Ajibola, President of UCH NARD, said the NARD National Executive Council (NEC) met on November 29 to reassess the strike situation. Following negotiations, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the federal government, outlining the association’s demands and the timeline for implementation.
“Based on the satisfactory terms of the MoU, the NARD NEC decided to suspend the industrial action and allow the government four weeks to execute the agreed points,” Ajibola said.
In keeping with NARD tradition, each centre held a congress on December 1 to brief members on the developments. After the briefing, centre presidents instructed all resident doctors to return to their duty posts, ensuring a smooth and coordinated resumption of services at UCH and other affected centres nationwide.
Resumption restores hospital operations
With the resumption of duties, UCH administrators expressed relief at the return of resident doctors, noting that patient care and hospital operations could now proceed without disruption. The hospital management also pledged to collaborate with the doctors and ensure timely implementation of the agreed MoU points.
The strike highlighted persistent challenges within Nigeria’s healthcare system, including delayed salaries, inadequate staffing, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Analysts say that resolving these issues is critical to preventing future industrial actions and maintaining service delivery in public hospitals.
Dr. Ajibola confirmed that all resident doctors at UCH had resumed work as of Monday, marking the end of a disruptive four-week period. Hospital officials and patients welcomed the resolution, emphasizing the importance of consistent medical services for both routine care and emergency treatment.
