LAUTECH Teaching Hospital on the Verge of Collapse as Doctors Embark on Indefinite Strike
The doctors cited the failure of both the hospital management and the state government to address their long-standing demands as the reason for this industrial action
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has embarked on an indefinite strike.
The doctors cited the failure of both the hospital management and the state government to address their long-standing demands as the reason for this industrial action.
On April 8, the doctors had previously suspended a month-long strike, allowing time for the hospital management and the state government to meet their demands. However, three months later, they issued a letter to the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Olawale Olakulehin, providing a three-week ultimatum for management to address their outstanding concerns.
The letter, dated July 8, 2025, and titled “Re: Notice of Industrial Action,” stated that the doctors granted a grace period of three weeks. During this time, they planned to send formal notifications to relevant stakeholders, including the Oyo State Government and the hospital management, to prompt action on the unresolved issues.
The letter read: “The congress acknowledges and appreciates the management’s efforts in addressing some of its demands, particularly the payment of upgrade arrears and the refund of examination/update course fees. However, it regrets to note the continued non-implementation of critical outstanding demands. These include the payment of the new minimum wage along with accrued arrears from January 2025; disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund; payment of accoutrement allowances; recruitment of resident doctors across all departments; and renovation of call rooms.
“After thorough deliberations and by majority resolution, the congress has agreed to grant a grace period of three weeks, during which formal notifications will be sent to relevant stakeholders, including the Oyo State Government and the hospital management, to encourage prompt action on these unresolved issues. Kindly note that failure to meet the outlined demands by July 29, 2025, will result in the commencement of total and indefinite industrial action. We trust in your responsiveness and look forward to swift, positive outcomes.”
On July 28, the doctors sent a follow-up letter, signed by the association’s President, Dr. Stephen Adedokun, and General Secretary, Dr. Adedapo Mustapha, notifying the Chief Medical Director that they would commence an indefinite strike the following day, July 29, due to the management’s and government’s failure to meet their demands.
The major demands of the doctors include the implementation of a minimum wage for LAUTECH Teaching Hospital staff, which has already been implemented for other healthcare workers in the state. This discrepancy has led to significant pay disparities, resulting in resignations and difficulty attracting new personnel. The doctors expressed that this situation has placed an additional burden on the remaining staff.
They also lamented the non-implementation of the Medical Residency Training Act/Fund and the non-payment of accoutrement allowances, among other issues.
In the letter titled “Notice of Indefinite Industrial Action Effective 12:00 AM, July 29, 2025,” the doctors stated: “Despite an ample window for engagement granted over the past three months and three weeks, it is with deep concern that we hereby declare a total and indefinite industrial action commencing at 12:00 AM on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.”
The association urged the hospital management to treat this notice with the seriousness it deserved and to respond promptly to avert a prolonged disruption of services. “We remain committed to dialogue and resolution but will not resume duty until tangible and acceptable steps have been taken to address our demands,” the letter concluded.
In an interview, Dr. Adedokun explained that the doctors resumed their suspended industrial action on July 29 due to the government’s failure to fulfil promises made during the previous suspension.
Last month, the doctors warned that the hospital was on the brink of collapse, citing a massive staff exodus, poor remuneration, and lack of government support as significant threats to its continued operation.
In an open letter dated July 4, 2025, addressed to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the doctors described the situation at the hospital as alarming, revealing that the number of resident doctors had decreased from nearly 270 to fewer than 65.
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