Nurses at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, took to the streets on Wednesday, protesting their alleged exclusion from the 2023 promotion within the institution. Organized by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, the demonstrators expressed dissatisfaction with what they deemed as harsh working conditions, urging the hospital management to address issues such as promotion arrears, staff shortages, and other workplace rights.
During the peaceful protest, the aggrieved nurses were observed singing and carrying placards around the hospital premises. Some of the placards bore messages such as “Stop selective promotion,” “Nurses workload is enough for promotion,” “Nurses’ lives matter,” “Give us our promotion,” and “Healthy workplace, healing spaces, nurses demand both.” Another placard emphasized the need to “Improve nurses’ working environment.”
In an interview with our correspondent, Olufimilola Adekunle, the Chairman of the NANNM at FMC Abeokuta, stated that the protest aimed to demand the results of the promotional examination, which the hospital alleged the nurses had failed. Adekunle expressed concern over the exhaustion and overwork faced by many nurses due to the acute shortage of manpower in the hospital. The nurses are calling for a resolution to these issues to ensure a healthier and more supportive work environment.
