Nurses Protest Exclusion from 2023 Promotions at Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba

Nurses at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, staged a protest against their alleged exclusion from the 2023 promotions conducted within the institution. The nurses, affiliated with the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), also voiced concerns about harsh working conditions. They called on the hospital’s management to address issues related to promotion arrears, staff shortages, and other labor rights.

The peaceful protest took place on the hospital premises, with the aggrieved nurses singing and carrying placards expressing their grievances. Some of the placards had messages such as “Stop selective promotion,” “Nurses’ workload is enough for promotion,” and “Give us our promotion.”

The NANNM Chairman for FMC Abeokuta chapter, Olufimilola Adekunle, explained that the protest aimed to demand the release of the promotional examination papers, which the hospital claimed the nurses had failed. Adekunle emphasized the exhaustion and overwork experienced by many nurses due to acute manpower shortages in the hospital.

“We are tired, we are really tired. Before we used to do three shifts but because of the shortage, we have to collapse it to two shifts,” Adekunle stated. She highlighted the nurses’ previous attempts to seek remuneration for the extended working hours but received no response from the management.

In response, the Head of Clinical Services at the hospital, Dr. Kunle Adediran, clarified that the issue of promotions went beyond the hospital’s management, as the decision was made by the Federal Ministry of Health. He assured the nurses that the hospital would write to the Federal Government to review certain decisions and address the concerns raised by the protesting nurses.

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