Nigeria: UNTH Chief Threatens Interns with Termination for Protesting 25% Pay Cut Since January

Professor Obinna Onoduogo, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, has threatened to terminate the appointments of medical interns protesting a 25 per cent pay cut that has been in effect for the past six months.

According to a source who spoke to West Africa Weekly, the CMD, who had previously warned that he would “mark the faces” of protesting interns, went on record stating that most of the interns would be dismissed for demanding their full salaries.

Despite the threat, hundreds of interns proceeded with the protest on July 24, carrying placards and calling for the immediate restoration of their full wages.

Since January 2025, the interns have reportedly been receiving only 75 per cent of their official N217,000 monthly salary. The hospital management has offered no clear explanation for the 25 per cent deduction. In response to growing frustration, the interns officially consulted UNTH management on July 9 to address the matter of underpayment.

A letter obtained by West Africa Weekly, issued by the Office of the Council of Intern Chiefs and acknowledged by the hospital, stated that the reason for the 25 per cent cut is that “the Federal Government has yet to release the 2025 Appropriation for Non-Regular Allowances fully.”

When that engagement yielded no resolution, the interns proceeded with the protest. Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Ali Pate, who witnessed the demonstration, addressed the protesters and assured them that the issue would be followed up starting Monday to resolve it.

In addition to salary cuts, the interns are reportedly facing poor living conditions. According to the same source, the UNTH management has suspended electricity supply to the intern quarters and installed prepaid meters, forcing the interns to bear the cost themselves.

The management installed prepaid meters in the intern quarters and said we’ll be responsible for light bills, despite the cost of electricity and the salary cuts. We pay to cut the grasses around the quarters or do it ourselves, all while being overworked in our various units,” the source explained.

“We want our full salary, either from the government or the hospital management, whoever is holding it. We’ve worked diligently and even exceeded work hours at times. It is only fair that we are paid our dues.”

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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