LAUTECH Resident Doctors Begin Indefinite Strike Over Unmet Demands

Resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH-TH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, have commenced an indefinite strike, citing the failure of both the hospital management and the state government to address critical demands.

The industrial action follows a three-week ultimatum issued by the doctors in early July, three months after they had suspended a previous strike action on April 8. The earlier suspension was intended to give room for the authorities to resolve longstanding issues.

In a letter dated July 8, addressed to the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Olawale Olakulehin, the doctors acknowledged partial progress—such as the payment of upgrade arrears and refund of examination/update course fees—but lamented the lack of action on more pressing matters.

“The congress acknowledges and appreciates the management’s efforts in addressing parts 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,” the letter read in part.

Among the unresolved demands are the payment of the new minimum wage with arrears dating back to January 2025, the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund, the release of accoutrement allowance, the recruitment of more resident doctors, and the renovation of on-call rooms.

The association stated that a final deadline of July 29 was issued to the hospital and state authorities. “After thorough deliberations and by majority resolution, the congress has agreed to grant a grace period of three weeks… to encourage prompt action on these unresolved issues,” the letter added. “Kindly note that failure to meet the outlined demands by the 29th of July, 2025 will result in the commencement of total and indefinite industrial action.”

True to their warning, the doctors submitted a follow-up letter on July 28, signed by the association’s President, Dr. Stephen Adedokun, and General Secretary, Dr. Adedapo Mustapha, confirming their decision to proceed with the strike beginning July 29.

“Despite an ample window of 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 from 12:00am, Tuesday 29th July 2025,” the letter titled “Notice of indefinite industrial action effective 12:00am, 29th July, 2025” stated.

“This decision comes after extensive internal consultations and exhausting all peaceful means of resolution. The lack of meaningful response and commitment from the management leaves us with no viable alternative but to activate this action in defence of the welfare and professional dignity of our members.”

The letter further urged the hospital management to engage seriously with the doctors’ concerns to avoid prolonged service disruption. “We remain committed to dialogue and resolution, but will not resume duty until tangible and acceptable steps have been taken to address our demands.”

Speaking with our correspondent, Dr. Adedokun said the strike resumed because the government failed to honour commitments made during the previous negotiation.

Just weeks before the strike, on July 4, the doctors had written an open letter to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, warning of a looming collapse of the hospital. In that letter, they revealed that the number of resident doctors at LAUTECH-TH had plunged from nearly 270 to under 65, attributing the decline to poor remuneration, lack of recruitment, and inadequate government support.