Gov Seyi Makinde increases salary of security guards at LAUTECH hospital from N18, 800 to N80, 000 after one of them had the courage to complain at a public forum

-FULL COVERAGE-

Governor Seyi Makinde's Bold Intervention: LAUTECH Hospital Security Guards Receive Life-Changing Salary Increase

In a remarkable display of responsive leadership, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has dramatically increased the monthly salary of security guards at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso from a meager ₦18,800 to a substantial ₦80,000.

This decision followed an emotional public appeal made by one of the guards during the governor’s visit to the hospital on September 30, 2025.

The turning point came when a middle-aged security guard, visibly distressed, courageously voiced the plight of his colleagues at a public forum attended by the governor.

With tears in his eyes, he recounted how the guards had staged a protest as far back as June 2021, pleading for better wages and recognition.

Despite being indigenes of Oyo State and serving the hospital diligently for years, they remained contract workers with no benefits or job security. The guard’s heartfelt plea included a vivid description of his personal struggles, including raising three children on a salary that barely covered basic needs. He implored Governor Makinde to intervene, stating, “We are not staff but indigenes of Oyo State, please help us, we are suffering. I have a family and three children; my age is fast running out. Please help us, Your Excellency”.

Moved by the testimony, Governor Makinde inquired about their earnings and was told they received ₦18,800 monthly, while the outsourcing firm managing their employment collected ₦27,000 per guard.

This revelation highlighted a systemic exploitation where the firm profited while the workers languished in poverty. In response, Governor Makinde announced an immediate and sweeping reform: all 67 security guards would be converted to ad-hoc staff under the hospital’s direct employment, with a new monthly salary of ₦80,000 starting from October 1, 2025.

The announcement was met with jubilation from the guards and hospital staff, many of whom applauded the governor’s swift and empathetic action. Beyond the salary increase, Governor Makinde pledged broader reforms at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, including the constitution of a Governing Council, increased monthly subvention, and the completion of the hospital’s annex in Oyo town before the end of his administration. He also committed to settling promotion arrears from 2018 to 2024 and minimum wage arrears from January to August 2025 in three installments between October and December 2025.

This intervention not only transformed the lives of the affected security guards but also sent a powerful message about the impact of courageous advocacy and the importance of compassionate governance.

Governor Makinde’s decision stands as a testament to the value of listening to the marginalized and acting decisively to correct systemic injustices.