Doctors and consultants at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO) in Benue State have withdrawn their services indefinitely due to the non-payment of eight months’ salary.
The strike has brought all activities at the university’s teaching hospital to a halt.
Staff within the institution have linked the ongoing crisis to long-standing leadership failures, pointing fingers at former Vice Chancellor, Professor Innocent Ujah, and ex-Chief Medical Director, Professor Silas Ochejile.
Accusations against both men, who are from the Idoma ethnic group, include financial misconduct, job racketeering, and inflation of contracts.
“This university has been in shambles from the very foundation. And ironically, it is our own people, Idoma professors, who are destroying it,” said a staff member who asked not to be named.
The staffer went on to describe what they see as a history of mismanagement: “From Professor Ujah’s alleged lacklustre and corrupt leadership to Professor Silas Ochejile’s tenure marked by job racketeering, inflated contracts, and unpaid salaries, the rot runs deep.”
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Staff also recalled severe shortages of basic medical supplies under Professor Ochejile.
They said the hospital pharmacy often lacked even common drugs like paracetamol. Offices for doctors were reportedly ill-equipped, with no proper furniture or suitable working environment, despite the institution getting annual funding in the billions.
Although a new Chief Medical Director, Professor Teddy Agida, is now in charge, insiders believe he has inherited a deeply troubled system and limited resources to work with.
“He met an empty treasury and is struggling to find funds to settle outstanding debts and begin much-needed renovations,” said another staff member.