Medical and dental officers in Oyo State have given the state government 21 days to address a number of outstanding welfare and remuneration issues, warning that failure to meet their demands could lead to industrial action.
The Association of Medical and Dental Officers of Oyo State (AMDO) issued the warning following a resolution reached at its Annual General Meeting held on September 17, 2026.
According to the association, the proposed warning strike is scheduled to run from October 12 to October 18, 2026, if the issues raised are not satisfactorily resolved and concrete steps are taken to implement agreed measures.
In a letter dated September 21 and addressed to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the doctors said they had repeatedly engaged the government through meetings, correspondence and discussions with relevant officials in an effort to resolve the concerns.
AMDO acknowledged that government officials, including representatives of the Office of the Head of Service and the Ministry of Health, had taken steps towards addressing some of the issues.
The association also recognised the partial payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) made on September 14.
However, the doctors said several important matters remained unresolved despite previous discussions and government approvals.
One of their major demands is the approval and payment of Professional Allowance and Accoutrement Allowance for medical and dental officers in the state.
They are also asking the government to settle the outstanding portion of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.
Doctors demand implementation of skipping policy
Another major issue raised by the association concerns the implementation of a career progression policy approved by the governor in December 2023.
The policy, commonly referred to as the Skipping Policy, provides for Medical Officers to commence at Grade Level 13 rather than Grade Level 12.
For Consultants, the approved arrangement provides for placement at Grade Level 15, Step 4, together with consequential adjustments and relevant arrears for eligible officers.
AMDO is demanding that the policy be formally communicated through an official circular and implemented without further delay.
The doctors also want the state government to implement the approved 10 per cent Responsibility Allowance for non-specialist Medical Officers who head government-owned health institutions.
Another concern relates to the salaries of doctors transferred to ministries, boards, agencies and other government establishments.
According to the association, some affected doctors experienced reductions in their earnings following such transfers. It is therefore asking the government to restore their salaries.
Recruitment demand
The medical officers are also calling for fresh recruitment into the Oyo State Hospitals Management Board.
They said additional doctors are needed to address staffing shortages and reduce pressure on the existing workforce.
AMDO is further seeking approval for 100 per cent of the basic salary as Inducement and Retention Allowances for Medical Officers working under the Hospitals Management Board.
The association said the continued departure of doctors without adequate replacement was increasing the burden on those remaining in the health system.
It warned that unresolved welfare and career issues could make it increasingly difficult for the state to retain medical professionals and maintain effective healthcare services.
Strike may be avoided
Despite issuing the 21-day warning, the doctors said they remained willing to engage with the government.
The association expressed hope that the Makinde administration would intervene during the notice period and address the outstanding matters before the proposed industrial action begins.
The warning therefore gives the Oyo State Government a limited window to negotiate with the medical and dental officers and implement measures capable of preventing the planned strike.
For patients and healthcare facilities across the state, a strike by medical officers could potentially disrupt routine medical services if an agreement is not reached.
The association’s demands largely centre on remuneration, career progression, staffing and incentives designed to retain doctors within the state health system.
For now, AMDO has maintained that the proposed action can still be avoided if the government responds positively to its concerns and demonstrates progress before the October deadline.
The development adds to broader concerns over the retention of medical professionals in Nigeria, where health-sector workers have repeatedly raised concerns about pay, working conditions, career opportunities and staffing levels.
In Oyo State, however, the immediate focus remains on whether the government and the doctors can reach an agreement before the proposed October 12–18 strike window.
