State health workers threaten strike over 72 months’ salary arrears

Pensioners of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI), have appealed to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to urgently intervene in the payment of their outstanding pensions and other entitlements.

The retirees, under the aegis of the BOUESTI Pensioners Association, appealed in a letter dated September 7, 2026, and addressed to Governor Oyebanji in his capacity as visitor to the institution.

The letter was signed by the association’s Chairman, Dr Kola Ajaja, and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Alao Odeyemi.

The association said its members were facing severe hardship following the non-payment of their August 2026 pension, while only 50 per cent of the July pension had been paid.

According to the pensioners, the delay had subjected members to financial hardship, ill-health and, in some cases, untimely deaths, particularly as many depend on their monthly pensions for medication and basic welfare.

The association also alleged that the university’s management was heavily indebted to pensioners over outstanding gratuities, arrears arising from the new minimum wage and the 20–28 per cent pension increase.

It further accused the institution of failing to implement the 2019 consequential adjustment in pension for its retired workers.

The pensioners, therefore, urged the governor to use his office to ensure the immediate payment of their outstanding entitlements.

RELATEDLY, Ekiti State health workers have threatened to go on strike over 72 months salary arrears.

The health workers, under the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Ekiti State chapter, also threatened a three-day protest over alleged outstanding salary arrears and other financial obligations at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti.

The union appealed to Oyebanji to intervene in the matter, saying that several payments and deductions allegedly owed to workers remained unresolved despite repeated engagements with the hospital management.

Chairman of MHWUN at EKSUTH, Kumuyi Oluwatimilehin, alleged that workers had been receiving half salaries for the past 72 months.

She, however, listed the outstanding issues to include salary arrears, COVID-19 allowances, special levies, cooperative deductions and union dues.

Oluwatimilehin said the union had refrained from embarking on industrial action because of its support for the governor, but warned that the situation could lead to a three-day protest and possibly an indefinite strike if the grievances were not addressed.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) in Ekiti State and state Chairman of MHWUN, Femi Ajoloko, questioned the management of the hospital’s finances and handling of workers’ welfare.

But reacting to the allegations, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of EKSUTH, Prof. Kayode Olabanji, denied that the hospital was indebted to its workers.

Olabanji said the controversy was largely linked to the implementation of the new tax law and adjustments to workers’ salaries.

He said that the hospital had implemented the new salary structure in line with a government-approved circular, which he said was vetted by the unions.

The CMD added that the hospital had also paid an additional award to doctors undergoing training.