The planned peace meeting between officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and workers of the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH) failed to hold on Friday after labour unions failed to attend. The meeting, called by the ministry, was aimed at resolving industrial disputes that have plagued the hospital since its transition from a state to a federal institution.
Absence of Union Leaders Halts Negotiations
Senior ministry officials, led by Deputy Director and Resident Labour Desk Officer Igbinosun Festus, arrived at the venue only to receive a letter from the unions. Dated 23 July, the letter announced the unions' inability to attend, citing “unavoidable engagements.” It was signed by Ondo State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Clement Fatuase, and copied to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health.
The labour leaders requested that the meeting be rescheduled to a date convenient for the minister’s representatives, to allow full participation by union leadership.
CMD Acknowledges Reforms but Appeals for Peace
Chief Medical Director of FUTATH, Olusegun Ojo, commended the federal government’s dedication to resolving the disputes. He disclosed that the crisis stemmed from implementing approved federal teaching hospital structures and administrative reforms following the transition from the former UNIMED Teaching Hospital to a federal institution. “Management has been implementing the approved Federal Teaching Hospital structure and administrative reforms as directed by the Federal Ministry of Health,” Ojo said. “While these reforms are essential to the development of the hospital, they have unfortunately generated disagreements between some labour union leaders and us.”
He assured stakeholders that management had consistently engaged union leadership through dialogue but lamented repeated industrial actions and disruptions before dispute resolution mechanisms were exhausted. Ojo emphasised that FUTATH is still in its formative stages and the government continues to invest substantial resources, including staff salaries. He appealed for sustained industrial peace to protect patients, staff, and the hospital’s mandate of healthcare delivery, teaching, and research.
Seven-Day Strike Ultimatum Issued
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and TUC in Ondo State had issued a seven-day strike ultimatum to hospital management over alleged breach of the transition agreement and violations of workers’ rights. In a letter jointly signed by Ondo State NLC Chairman Ademola Olapade and TUC Chairman Clement Fatuase, labour accused management of violating the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) governing the transition of the former State Specialist Hospital to FUTATH. The unions said the ultimatum followed resolutions from a strategic meeting on 16 July, warning that the alleged actions threaten industrial peace.
