Health workers at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) have called off their industrial action following negotiations involving the hospital management and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which culminated in a formal apology by the anti-graft agency.
The resolution was reached after a high-level meeting convened by the Akwa Ibom State Government at the Old EXCO Chambers in Uyo. The meeting was held on the directive of Governor Umo Eno and chaired by the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi.
The meeting brought together representatives of the state government, the EFCC, security agencies, UUTH management, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and other healthcare unions.
The dispute arose after an EFCC operation at UUTH triggered tension within the hospital, prompting health workers to embark on strike action.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, participants described the incident as “unfortunate and entirely avoidable”, while strongly condemning the confrontation that followed the operation.
Representatives of the EFCC expressed regret over the incident and apologised to those affected, including the UUTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Eyo Ekpe; the JOHESU Chairman, Akanubong Asuquo; the NMA Chairman, Prof. Aniekan Peter; and members of NANNM. The Commission acknowledged that the conduct of its operatives during the operation was unruly.
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, also directed that a formal apology be conveyed to Prof. Ekpe and members of the NMA over the May 12, 2026, incident. The Commission stated that the decision followed a review of a preliminary report on the clash between its personnel and hospital staff.
Olukoyede specifically ordered that apologies be extended to Prof. Ekpe, the Deputy Chairman of UUTH’s Medical Advisory Committee, and members of the NMA for the distress caused by the operation.
In a related development, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) condemned a recent assault on doctors and other healthcare workers at the Emergency Department of the University College Hospital (UCH).
In a statement, the association said: “These are not just statistics. These are human beings. These are doctors, nurses, and health workers who dedicate their lives every day to saving Nigerians, yet they are being beaten, humiliated, threatened, traumatised, and treated like criminals in the very hospitals where they sacrifice sleepless nights to preserve lives.”
NARD noted that many of the victims were resident doctors and lamented that, despite sustaining injuries, suffering emotional trauma, and losing personal belongings, several affected workers received only apology letters.
The association called for a presidential directive mandating the strict prosecution of individuals who attack healthcare workers or invade medical facilities, warning that continued violence against medical personnel could further weaken morale within Nigeria’s health sector workforce.
