FUTATH Recruitment Dispute Deepens as CMD Defends Staff Screening, Unions Demand Full Absorption

Space Constraints Persist Despite Federal Expansion Plans

The Chief Medical Director of the Federal University of Technology, Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH), Prof. Olusegun Ojo, has identified inadequate office accommodation and limited clinical space as major challenges confronting the institution.

However, he said the hospital continues to record steady progress. He noted that the Federal Government has approved a take-off establishment of 1,200 personnel to support the institution’s transition into a full-fledged federal teaching hospital.

Speaking with journalists in Akure on Monday, Ojo said management remains focused on strengthening hospital operations and improving service delivery.

Ojo said, “We still face many challenges. Office accommodation and clinical space remain inadequate, but we must continue settling staff into the federal service and strengthen our systems.

“I appeal to our patients and the general public to remain patient with us as we continue to stabilise the institution.”

The approval of the 1,200 personnel establishment is widely viewed as a significant step in the hospital’s federalisation process. Nevertheless, concerns over staff absorption continue to generate controversy.

Management, Labour Differ on MoU Interpretation

At the centre of the dispute is the interpretation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that guided the transition of the former University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Akure, into a federal institution.

While hospital management maintains that staff absorption was subject to federal screening requirements, organised labour insists that many eligible workers were unfairly excluded from the process.

Addressing the controversy, Ojo attributed the disagreement to misinformation regarding the provisions of the MoU.

He stressed that the agreement did not provide for automatic absorption of all existing workers into the federal establishment.

Ojo said, “You will recall that the former UNIMED Teaching Hospital, Akure, already had existing staff. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, we were to take over those staff, but only after the Federal Ministry of Health, through its Directorate of Human Resources, examined each individual, assessed their qualifications, biodata and suitability to serve as federal public servants.

“The MOU clearly states that every staff member would be examined based on qualifications, biodata and suitability before being appropriately placed. The MoU clearly states that only those found suitable would be selected. That is exactly what we have done with diligence and fairness. Some people were wrongly informed that everyone would automatically be absorbed into the new hospital, and that is completely untrue.”

According to the CMD, the approved take-off establishment refers to the workforce required for the hospital to commence operations under federal administration.

However, labour unions have challenged that position. Union representatives alleged that a substantial number of inherited workers were excluded from the absorption exercise. They also argued that the implementation process did not fully reflect the expectations created during the hospital’s transition to federal ownership.

The unions further called on relevant authorities to intervene and review the exercise. They maintain that the concerns raised by affected workers deserve transparent consideration.

Protest Reflects Growing Tension

The disagreement recently escalated into a protest that disrupted activities at the hospital. Demonstration was organised by aggrieved workers and labour groups seeking a review of the absorption process. The protest highlighted growing concerns among some employees regarding their future within the institution.

Reacting to the development, Ojo condemned the disruption of hospital activities. He stressed that hospitals must remain peaceful because of the critical services they provide.

Ojo said, “It is disappointing that educated people would disrupt the peace of a hospital. If there are concerns about the leadership, there are established channels for addressing them. Hospitals care for cancer patients, people with severe infections and patients awaiting surgery.

“To those who disagree with us, you have every right to disagree, but disagreements should never become violent. Raise your concerns, ask questions and engage us openly. No human being is perfect. We only need the humility to acknowledge our mistakes and correct them.”

The CMD urged workers and stakeholders to embrace dialogue rather than confrontation. He also reiterated management’s commitment to fairness and due process.

Future Growth Depends on Industrial Harmony

Despite the ongoing dispute, FUTATH continues its transition into a federal teaching hospital. Management is working to strengthen institutional systems, expand services and integrate approved personnel into the federal workforce. Nevertheless, the disagreement over staff absorption remains unresolved.

While hospital management insists it acted in line with the MoU and federal guidelines, labour unions continue to challenge that interpretation. As the institution expands, resolving the dispute may prove essential to maintaining industrial harmony, protecting staff morale and ensuring uninterrupted healthcare delivery.