Medical academics give FG 21-day ultimatum, threaten indefinite strike

The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the federal government, threatening a nationwide indefinite strike if outstanding salary and welfare issues are not addressed.

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The association had engaged government through dialogue for more than 24 months without meaningful progress.

NAMDA President Nosa Orhue announced the ultimatum in Abuja, stating that the union would reconvene after the deadline to determine its next course of action if no meaningful progress is made. The association has been engaged in dialogue with the government for over 24 months without significant headway. Orhue expressed dissatisfaction that negotiations on the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement have stalled since April 9, despite repeated engagements.

Orhue alleged that while other university unions have received improved welfare packages, NAMDA members remain excluded. This has led to the non-payment of earned academic and professorial allowances, exacerbating the brain drain among medical academics. A primary point of contention is the salary disparity between university-based medical lecturers and hospital consultants who perform identical professional duties. Medical academics, who combine teaching, research, and clinical responsibilities, earn less than their hospital-based counterparts despite possessing the same qualifications and licenses.

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While improved welfare packages had been implemented for other university unions, NAMDA members remained excluded, resulting in non-payment of earned academic and professorial allowances and worsening brain drain among medical academics.

The association is demanding the implementation of special pension benefits for retired hospital-based academics and opposes the National Universities Commission's requirement for medical academics to obtain PhD qualifications. Orhue reaffirmed that the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) remains the only acceptable framework for medical and dental academics, warning that any attempt to replace it could trigger industrial action. He also rejected the "forced migration" of members over 65 from CONMESS to the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS), deeming it a demotion that results in financial losses.

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CONMESS remained the only acceptable salary framework for medical and dental academics.