Medical academics issue 21-day ultimatum to FG over outstanding demands

The University of Ilorin branch of the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) has declared its support for a new 21-day ultimatum issued to the federal government by its national body. The ultimatum, set to expire on August 31, aims to address long-standing concerns of medical and dental academics across Nigeria.

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There is poor prioritisation of medical and dental education, training and research in spite of Nigeria’s severe shortage of doctors and dentists.

NAMDA's branch chairman, Mohammed Abdulkadir, and secretary, Adebayo Oloko, stated in a communiqué that the decision was made after a review of developments regarding the association's outstanding demands. The union expressed significant dissatisfaction with the government's perceived slow pace and lack of urgency in concluding negotiations and resolving critical issues affecting medical and dental academics in tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals.

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We also have brain drain of trained medical professionals and academics to other countries, with implications for undergraduate and postgraduate training and healthcare delivery.

Key demands highlighted by NAMDA include delays in finalizing negotiations and implementing agreed resolutions. The association also pointed to the poor prioritization of medical and dental education, training, and research, despite Nigeria's severe shortage of doctors and dentists. This situation, coupled with the ongoing brain drain of trained medical professionals and academics to other countries, has serious implications for both education and healthcare delivery.

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Members have demonstrated considerable patience and restraint in the interest of maintaining stability within the university system and protecting the education of students.

While acknowledging interventions from the Department of State Services and other stakeholders, NAMDA insists that these efforts must now yield concrete, measurable, and time-bound outcomes. The union urged the federal government to use the 21-day window to conclude negotiations and resolve these matters. Failure to do so, they warned, would compel the association to act in line with directives from its national leadership, potentially disrupting medical education, research, and healthcare services.

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We call on students, parents, members of the public and other stakeholders to prevail upon the government to urgently address these matters and avert avoidable disruption to medical education, research and healthcare services.