LAUTECH Health Workers Strike Over Minimum Wage, Welfare Demands

Ogbomoso, Oyo State — Nurses, midwives, and resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital have escalated their industrial action, demanding implementation of the new national minimum wage and improved welfare conditions.

What’s Going On

• The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) at LAUTECH issued a 15-day ultimatum (from September 4, 2025) over non-implementation of welfare and workplace issues. Key among them: inclusion in new minimum wage, uniform allowance, regularisation of certain cadres, and burnout from overwork. 

• The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at LAUTECH began an indefinite strike starting July 29, 2025, citing unresolved issues such as non-payment of the new minimum wage, delays in allowances (e.g. accoutrement, upgrade arrears), non-payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and poorly maintained call-rooms. 

• Nurses and midwives further lament that while some health workers in Oyo State are benefiting from the new national minimum wage and associated packages, LAUTECH staff remain excluded. 

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Impacts & Concerns

• Healthcare delivery is under threat: With resident doctors and other staff down tools, critical services are disrupted. Patients may experience delays or cancellations for diagnostic services, surgeries, wards may be understaffed, etc.

• Morale & burnout: Nurses have cited frustration, overwork and the financial strain caused by exclusion from welfare improvements. 

• Staff shortage worsening: Resident doctors say that many have left (or are leaving) due to poor conditions, leading to very few hands to do the work. 

Key Demands

1. Immediate implementation of the new national minimum wage at LAUTECH, with arrears from its effective date. 

2. Payment of promotion/upgrade arrears (2018-2024) that have been delayed. 

3. Payment of allowances such as uniform allowance, accoutrement allowance, and Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF). Recruitment of additional staff to handle shortages. Renovation and proper maintenance of work facilities, especially call rooms, nurses’ stations. 

Government / Management Response & Next Steps

• So far, LAUTECH management & Oyo State government have been under pressure. Some meetings have been held; but staff say little concrete progress has been made. 

• Unions have warned that if demands are not met within the ultimata, the strikes will continue indefinitely. 

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Why It Matters

• It reflects a broader problem in many Nigerian states: delay or non-implementation of welfare packages passed in law or policy.

• It raises questions about equity in the public health system — when some staff receive benefits, others in same institutions don’t.

• Poor working conditions not only harm staff, but also reduce the quality of patient care, potentially increasing health risks for vulnerable populations.

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