Aggrieved nurses under the aegis of Concerned Nurses of 2022 HMB Conversion Exercise in Ondo State, on Tuesday, staged a peaceful protest in Akure, the state capital, over the “unresolved issues stemming from the 2022 conversion exercise.”
The protest followed years of appeals via formal letters and several engagements that have failed to yield positive results.
Some of the protesting nurses who spoke on condition of anonymity, called for the outright replacement of the controversial “conversion” policy with a more appropriate system of “upgrading”, especially for those who have acquired additional qualifications such as a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Science.
According to them, “the conversion process, as implemented in 2022, has brought untold hardship and professional stagnation upon them.
“In many cases, nurses who obtained higher qualifications — which should have been a career advantage — were instead unjustifiably demoted. This has left a significant number of dedicated professionals stranded on the same grade levels for over 12 to 16 years due to the policy.
“The question is: what exactly is the government converting someone who is already a nurse to?” We went back to school to get better and serve better, only to be punished for it.”
“More disturbing, the letter given to those affected, states that their next promotion will only be due in 2027, despite having fulfilled all requirements for the regular 2025 promotion cycle,” one of the protesters lamented.
They argued that the development had further affected their morale, leading to gale of resignations from the Ondo State health service, as affected professionals move to other states or federal institutions where their qualifications are duly recognized.
The group appealed to the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene swiftly and decisively.
They, however, demanded the:
Immediate replacement of conversion with upgrading for nurses with additional qualifications, backed by a state circular.
Reclassification of those affected by the 2022 conversion as upgraded, with an effective date of January 2022.
Compassionate upgrading of long-serving officers on GL.14 to GL.15.
Proper adjustment of Degree nurses who are still below GL.10 to the correct entry point of GL.10 with steps adjustment, in recognition of their degree qualification.
The nurses reaffirmed their commitment to excellent patient care but emphasized that fair treatment, recognition, and proper career progression are crucial to retaining experienced professionals in the state.
“We have exhausted all avenues for dialogue since 2022, and now we must confront injustice with the voice of truth.
“We believe our governor will not allow this injustice to stand,” the group said.
