Posted on: Wed 08-07-2026

The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) has issued the Federal Government a 21 days ultimatum to resolve salary and welfare disputes or face an indefinite nationwide strike that could disrupt medical education in federal universities.

Speaking after the association's National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, NAMDA President, Dr. Nosa Orhue, said the decision followed more than two years of unsuccessful negotiations over the remuneration and welfare of medical academics. He expressed hope that discussions would be concluded before the ultimatum expires, warning that the union would decide its next action if no agreement is reached.

Orhue said the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement has remained stalled since April 9. He alleged that medical lecturers have been excluded from earned academic allowances, professorial allowances and other benefits enjoyed by other university-based unions, widening the pay gap between medical academics and hospital consultants performing similar clinical duties.

He maintained that the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) is the only acceptable salary framework for medical and dental academics. He warned that any attempt to replace it with the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS) or transfer members above 65 years to CONUASS would result in industrial action.

NAMDA also called for special pension benefits for retired hospital-based academics and opposed the National Universities Commission's requirement for medical lecturers to obtain PhD qualifications.

Despite the dispute, the association commended President Bola Tinubu's administration for efforts to improve university education. It also praised the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for supporting salary parity for medical academics. NAMDA further lauded the Federal Government's preparedness for a possible Ebola outbreak and pledged its support for strengthening Nigeria's public health response.

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