LAUTECH nurses strike over wage and welfare neglect, demanding minimum wage implementation, promotion arrears, and better working conditions

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Unit, announced the strike in a statement signed by Unit Chairman, Ojewumi Olutayo, and Secretary, Adedokun Foluwake, after the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum to management.

Also read: Nurses Strike in Oyo State Begins July 30 Over Poor Welfare, Staffing Crisis

According to the union, the hospital workforce has suffered years of neglect compared with counterparts in other state-owned health facilities. The strike, which began on Friday, follows repeated but fruitless engagements with management over unmet demands.

The nurses are demanding the immediate implementation of the new National Minimum Wage and consequential adjustments effective from January 2025, payment of promotion arrears dating from 2018 to 2024, and recruitment of additional staff to address severe shortages.

They also called for renovation and proper furnishing of nurses’ stations and restrooms to improve working conditions.

Union leaders warned that the prolonged delay has triggered financial strain, attrition of skilled staff, and low morale within the hospital.

They cautioned that services for thousands of patients, including pregnant women, children, accident victims, and emergency cases, could be severely disrupted if the strike continues.

As the only state-owned tertiary health facility, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital serves as a critical referral centre for patients from Oyo, Osun, Kwara, and neighbouring communities.

The union, therefore, urged Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently intervene, stressing that fairness in staff welfare is essential to maintaining industrial harmony and quality healthcare delivery.

While reaffirming their commitment to professional excellence, the striking nurses and midwives insisted the industrial action would persist until all demands were fully met.

Also read: Nigerian Nurses Crisis Deepens Amid Poor Pay, Staff Shortage

The unrest at LAUTECH reflects wider tension in Nigeria’s health sector. Only recently, resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory suspended a separate strike after Senate intervention, despite unresolved grievances over unpaid salary arrears, hazard allowances, residency training funds, and poor working conditions.