Nurses and midwives at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, have declared an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of the new National Minimum Wage and long-standing welfare concerns.
The action, which commenced on Friday, followed the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum earlier issued to the hospital’s management.
In a joint statement on Saturday, the Unit Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Ojewumi Olutayo, and the Secretary, Adedokun Foluwake, said the workers were left with no choice after repeated engagements failed to yield results.
“LAUTECH Teaching Hospital nurses have suffered systemic neglect, as our welfare continues to be ignored compared to colleagues in other state-owned hospitals who already enjoy better packages,” the statement read.
According to the union, their demands include the “immediate implementation of the new National Minimum Wage with its consequential adjustments from January 2025, payment of promotion arrears between 2018 and 2024, recruitment of additional nurses to address staff shortages, and renovation of nurses’ stations and restrooms to improve working conditions.”
They warned that the prolonged neglect has led to financial hardship, low morale, and the exit of skilled personnel from the hospital.
“The teaching hospital is the only state-owned tertiary facility in Oyo State, and serves as a referral centre for patients from Oyo, Osun, Kwara, and neighbouring states. This strike, if prolonged, will disrupt care for thousands, including pregnant women, children, accident victims, and other emergency cases,” the statement added.
The association, while reaffirming its commitment to professional standards, called on Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently intervene to ensure fairness and equity.
“We urge the state government to act swiftly because industrial harmony is critical to sustaining quality healthcare delivery,” the union leaders said.
