ONDO WORKERS ACCUSE STATE GOVERNMENT OF REMOVING THEIR NAMES FROM PAYROLL AFTER UNIMED FACILITY TRANSFER

Hundreds of workers formerly attached to the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) facility in Akure, Ondo State, have accused the state government of removing their names from its payroll following the transfer of the facility to the Federal Government, leaving them without regular salaries and clarity about their employment status.

The affected workers alleged that between 500 and 600 existing staff members were excluded from the federal payroll enrolment exercise after the facility was transferred for use as a clinical training centre for the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). They said the situation had left many employees struggling to meet their financial obligations after months without regular pay.

Speaking about the dispute, some of the workers claimed they had continued working at the facility before and during the transition but were later excluded from the federal payroll process, despite undergoing screening and submitting their credentials for verification.

One of the affected employees said approximately 1,390 workers were initially included in the handover arrangements. However, the employee alleged that hundreds later discovered their names were missing from the list used for the federal payroll capture exercise.

According to the worker, the affected employees were surprised to discover that some existing staff members had been left out while new personnel were reportedly recruited and captured under the new arrangement.

The worker said the situation became more troubling when employees were allegedly informed that those aged 50 and above would not be eligible to continue working under the new system. The affected staff members said they had initially accepted the explanation but were subsequently left uncertain about their employment and sources of income.

The workers further alleged that their names were removed from the Ondo State Government payroll in July 2026. They said that following protests and meetings with labour unions and government representatives, they eventually received their July salaries but had not received further payments at the time of the report.

One employee claimed that some personnel captured under the federal payroll had already received their August and September salaries, even as existing workers remained unpaid. The claim has not been independently verified, and the workers are demanding an official explanation for the differing payroll outcomes.

The dispute has also centred on whether the affected employees were given a choice about their future employment. Some workers alleged that, unlike an earlier arrangement involving UNIMED, they were not offered the option of returning to the state health system or remaining with the institution under the new structure.

One of the employees said workers had previously been given forms to indicate whether they wanted to return to the Hospital Management Board or remain with UNIMED. The worker argued that a similar opportunity should have been provided during the latest transition, rather than leaving employees uncertain about where they would work or receive their salaries.

The affected staff members said they did not want to be compelled to move to FUTA without clear assurances about their employment conditions and financial entitlements. They called on the Ondo State Government to take them back into the state health system if they could not be accommodated under the federal arrangement.

The prolonged salary dispute has reportedly caused serious hardship for some employees. One worker said the absence of regular income had made it difficult to afford medication and other basic necessities, forcing the individual to borrow money to meet personal needs.

The employees maintained that they had served the institution before the transition and should not be left without salaries or employment security because of administrative changes involving the transfer of the facility. They want the relevant authorities to clarify which government is responsible for their outstanding payments and future employment.

The workers also said they were preparing another protest to press their demands and draw attention to what they described as an unresolved payroll crisis. They expressed frustration that previous demonstrations and meetings with government representatives had not produced a lasting solution.

The controversy follows the transition of the former state-owned teaching hospital facility into the federal healthcare system. The process involved arrangements between the Ondo State Government and the Federal Government concerning the transfer of the institution and the screening and absorption of eligible personnel.

The broader transition has generated disagreements over staff eligibility, payroll responsibilities and the treatment of employees who were not absorbed into the federal establishment. The Federal Government’s staff verification and absorption process has been a central point of contention, particularly for workers whose names did not appear on the final payroll lists.

The affected employees are demanding explanations for their exclusion from the federal payroll, the subsequent removal of their names from the state payroll and the reported application of age-related restrictions. They are also seeking clarity on what provisions were made for workers who were not selected for federal employment.

The allegations underscore the importance of transparent transition arrangements when public institutions change ownership or administrative control. Workers and labour representatives have called for clear communication on eligibility criteria, salary obligations and redeployment options to prevent employees from being left without income during institutional restructuring.

As of the time of the report, the affected workers’ claims remained allegations, and the available account did not include a direct response from the Ondo State Government addressing the specific complaints. An official explanation from the state government and the relevant federal authorities would be necessary to clarify the payroll decisions and the status of the affected employees.

Street News Reporters will continue to monitor the dispute, including any response from the Ondo State Government, the Federal Government, FUTA and the relevant hospital authorities, as the workers seek payment of outstanding salaries and a clear resolution of their employment status.