Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday directly intervened in the ongoing industrial action at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, announcing several immediate measures to address workers’ welfare demands, a situation gaining urgency following the Nigerian Medical Association’s (NMA) recent declaration of a state of emergency over health sector issues.
The Governor’s unscheduled visit to Ogbomoso included a meeting with professional bodies at the hospital, where he emphasized his administration’s commitment to worker welfare and sustained development.
After hearing from representatives of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), Nurses and Midwives, and students, Governor Makinde announced several concrete steps to end the strike.
He promised the immediate constitution of a new Governing Council for the hospital before the end of the week, tasking it with addressing long-term structural and salary review issues.
Financially, the Governor announced an increase in the hospital’s monthly subvention by N35 million to alleviate operational difficulties.
He approved the payment of N219 million in accumulated promotion arrears, scheduled for disbursement in three equal installments in October, November, and December 2025. Furthermore, the arrears of the new minimum wage, covering January to August 2025, will also be offset in three tranches, payable from October to December 2025.
Additionally, the Governor approved a monthly stipend of ₦80,000 for the 65 non-staff security personnel, instructing that they be integrated into the hospital’s system as ad-hoc staff.
Governor Makinde acknowledged that while the industrial action centered on welfare, leaders and workers must also recognize the government’s responsibility to manage limited resources for both staff well-being and necessary state infrastructure development.
He reaffirmed his commitment to long-term solutions, including completing the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Annex in Oyo before the end of his term in 2027.
Later in the day, during a visit to the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, the Governor announced the impending commencement of the reconstruction of inner roads in the town, confirming that two contractors would handle the project to ensure speedy completion.
Oba Olaoye lauded the Governor’s administrative effectiveness, expressing gratitude for the intervention in the hospital crisis and the planned road projects.
The Acting Chief Medical Director, Professor Olawale Olakulehin, praised the Governor’s swift action, describing him as a listening leader committed to the institution.