Nurses and midwives at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso begin an indefinite strike over unpaid wages and welfare issues.
The union warns the action will disrupt services until their demands are fully addressed.
Nurses and midwives at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, have embarked on an indefinite strike, citing the non-implementation of the new National Minimum Wage and unresolved welfare concerns.
The industrial action, which commenced on Friday, followed the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued to hospital management, according to a statement signed by the unit chairman, Ojewumi Olutayo, and secretary, Adedokun Foluwake, of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), LAUTECH Unit.
The striking health workers outlined their core demands as the Immediate implementation of the new minimum wage and consequential adjustments, effective January 2025. Payment of promotion arrears dating from 2018 to 2024. Recruitment of additional nurses to address acute manpower shortages. Renovation and proper furnishing of nurses’ stations and restrooms.
The union argued that their welfare had been consistently neglected compared to colleagues in other state-owned health institutions who already enjoy improved packages.
LAUTECH Teaching Hospital is the only state-owned tertiary health facility in Oyo State and serves as a referral centre for patients from Oyo, Osun, Kwara, and neighbouring communities.
Union leaders warned that the strike could significantly disrupt services for pregnant women, children, accident victims, and emergency cases, stressing that patient care would suffer unless urgent interventions were made.
The union appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene, noting that industrial harmony is crucial to sustaining quality healthcare delivery.
“Our members have suffered systemic neglect, creating financial strain, low morale, and attrition of skilled personnel. We cannot continue under these conditions,” the statement read.
The action at LAUTECH comes amid broader agitation in Nigeria’s health sector. Just days earlier, resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory suspended their strike following Senate intervention, though most of their demands, ranging from unpaid salary arrears to hazard allowances remain unresolved.
The LAUTECH nurses and midwives, however, stressed that their strike would continue until all demands are met, reaffirming their commitment to professional excellence and patient care once their grievances are addressed.
