Medical, Dental Academics Debunk Strike Rumour

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The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) has denied reports that its members are currently on strike.

In a statement jointly signed by its President, Dr. Nosa Lancy-Orhue; Secretary-General, Dr. Abdulrahman Shehu; and National Liaison Officer/Organising Secretary, Dr. Muhammad Askira, the association described the reports as false and misleading.

NAMDA, the trade union representing medical lecturers in universities, tertiary health, and research institutions, said it remains committed to maintaining stability in medical education while engaging constructively with the Federal Government.

“NAMDA is not on strike, and we will not be blackmailed, coaxed, or lured away from the interest of our members,” the statement read.

The association said the clarification followed persistent enquiries from its members, the media, and the public over its position on the ongoing industrial action by another academic union in the university system.

While acknowledging that medical academics have long been neglected, NAMDA said it continues to support legitimate demands that do not jeopardize its members’ welfare or the nation’s health and education systems.

The statement noted that the association has been in productive discussions with the Federal Government through the Ministries of Labour and Education. It commended the Minister of Education for promising to address key issues affecting medical lecturers, following a meeting facilitated by the Minister of Labour and Employment.

Among NAMDA’s major demands are:

Implementation of the Consolidated Medical Workers Salary Structure (CONMESS);
Withdrawal of the compulsory PhD requirement for medical lecturers with postgraduate fellowships to qualify for promotion or the position of Vice-Chancellor; and
Approval of the scheme of service recommended by the late Chief Justice Atanda Fatai Williams’ committee and contained in memorandum CM(90)92 of 1990.

NAMDA also discussed the Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) issue with the government, saying the Minister of Education apologised for a recent letter from the Office of the Accountant-General that erroneously restricted the allowances to members of another academic union.

The association alleged that some university managements, with the support of a sister union, attempted to exclude its members from receiving the EAA. It cited an instance at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, where the Governing Council reportedly claimed medical lecturers were not entitled to the allowance.

NAMDA said it had petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate how two conflicting letters on the same subject were issued from the Accountant-General’s office.

Reaffirming its independence, the association stressed that the conditions of service for medical and dental lecturers must be negotiated solely by NAMDA, which understands the unique challenges of the profession.

“The conditions of service for medical and dental lecturers cannot be satisfactorily negotiated by anyone but medical academics under NAMDA,” the statement added.

NAMDA urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the circularisation of CONMESS and direct the National Universities Commission (NUC) to reaffirm the withdrawal of the circular mandating PhDs for medical academics with postgraduate fellowships.

While reserving the right to adopt legitimate measures, including legal action, in pursuing its demands, the union emphasised that any withdrawal of services by its members would be constitutional and carefully considered.