The industrial action involves members of the Kwara Doctors Forum, comprising the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), and the Association of Resident Doctors at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (ARD-KWASUTH).

MDCAN chairman in the state, Dr Adeola Olasinde, announced the strike during a news conference in Ilorin on Thursday, October 15, 2026. He said the decision followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the state government between October 1 and 14.

According to Olasinde, the doctors had expected the government to address their grievances within the period, but unresolved issues prompted them to begin the warning strike.

One of their major concerns is a two per cent deduction from their salaries for the Kwara Health Insurance Scheme, also known as KwaraCare. The doctors are demanding that the deduction be reversed and that the government provide satisfactory explanations regarding the arrangement.

They are also calling for the implementation of the 2025 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), the salary framework applicable to medical doctors and dental surgeons in government service.

Other demands include payment of outstanding accoutrement allowances approved for 2025 and 2026, recruitment of additional medical personnel and renovation of house officers’ quarters in teaching hospitals.

The doctors are further seeking the establishment of the governing board of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital in line with the institution’s enabling law.

Olasinde stressed that the doctors’ objection was not directed at the principle of health insurance or efforts to make healthcare more accessible to residents. Rather, he said, salary-based contributions should be managed transparently, with clear accountability and appropriate oversight.

The associations are urging the state government to address their concerns and engage with medical professionals and other relevant stakeholders to resolve the dispute.

The strike is expected to last seven days, from October 15 to October 22, unless an agreement or other arrangement changes the timeline.

The development raises concerns about possible disruptions to services at government-owned hospitals, particularly for patients requiring urgent treatment or ongoing medical attention.

The doctors have called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and relevant authorities to intervene and resolve the outstanding issues.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia