By Julian Osamoto
The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to conclude negotiations on the welfare and conditions of service of its members, warning that failure to act could trigger industrial action across Nigerian universities.
They gave the ultimatum while briefing Journalists in Abuja, at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association held on July 6, where members reviewed the progress of negotiations with the Federal Government over the renegotiation of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The association said negotiations had remained stalled since April 9, 2026, accusing the government of failing to respond to its minimum demands despite repeated efforts to resume dialogue.
According to Dr. Nosa Orhue, president of NAMDA, the prolonged delay has denied medical and dental academics improved remuneration, academic allowances and other welfare benefits, while worsening low staff morale and encouraging the continued migration of skilled professionals abroad.
“The continued delay has caused non-implementation and loss of payment of academic and professorial allowances, including Earned Academic Allowances and Excess Workload Allowance, thereby damaging the morale of members and increasing the risk of brain drain,” He stated.
Dr. Orhue warned that the situation could undermine the training of future medical doctors at a time when the government is seeking to expand Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.
The association expressed concern that while agreements had been concluded with other university-based unions, negotiations involving medical and dental academics had remained unresolved.
NAMDA urges the Federal Government to immediately conclude negotiations to prevent disruptions to medical education and safeguard industrial harmony.
“NEC resolved to issue a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to conclude negotiations with NAMDA and address the association’s demands, after which industrial harmony will no longer be guaranteed.”
Among its demands, NAMDA insisted that medical and dental academics in Nigerian universities should continue to be remunerated under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), arguing that it reflects the unique nature of their profession and aligns with the Federal Executive Council’s 1990 approval on the remuneration of medical academics.
The association rejected attempts by some universities to migrate members above the age of 65 from CONMESS to the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS), describing the move as unlawful and detrimental to members’ earnings, career progression and pension benefits.
“NEC rejected the forceful retirement or migration of members above the age of 65 years from CONMESS to CONUASS, saying the action amounts to demotion, loss of pay, status and pension benefits.”
NAMDA also criticised its exclusion from key decision-making processes affecting its members, including membership of the Implementation Monitoring Committee overseeing the Presidential Needs Assessment intervention for universities.
The association further rejected the National Universities Commission’s requirement that medical academics must possess a PhD for career progression, maintaining that medical fellowship qualifications already provide the research and academic competence required for teaching and postgraduate training.
It calls on the National Medical College of Nigeria to begin awarding PhD degrees and expand fellowship programmes in medical physiology, medical biochemistry, human anatomy and pharmacology.
Despite its grievances, NAMDA acknowledged efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to improve welfare across the university system and commended the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for supporting improved remuneration for medical and dental academics.
The association also praised the Federal Government’s preparedness against a possible Ebola outbreak and pledged the support of its members in strengthening public health response if required.
However, NAMDA maintained that unless negotiations are concluded within the 21-day deadline, it will deploy all lawful trade union mechanisms to protect the rights and welfare of its members.
The association called on the Federal Government to urgently conclude negotiations in the interest of uninterrupted medical education, improved healthcare training and industrial peace across Nigeria’s universities.
