The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) has refuted claims that its members have initiated a strike.
In a communiqué released on Wednesday in Abuja and jointly endorsed by its President, Dr. Nosa Lancy-Orhue; Secretary-General, Dr. Abdulrahman Shehu; and National Liaison Officer/Organising Secretary, Dr. Muhammad Askira, the association affirmed its continued full operation and dedication to its core responsibilities.
NAMDA, representing medical educators across universities, tertiary health institutions, and research centers, plays a pivotal role in overseeing both undergraduate and postgraduate medical training nationwide.
“Our association is not engaged in any strike action and will not be pressured, intimidated, or lured into compromising the welfare of our members,” the statement emphasized.
This clarification was prompted by numerous inquiries from the public, media outlets, and other stakeholders concerning NAMDA’s stance amid the ongoing strike by another academic union within the university system.
While recognizing the persistent challenges faced, NAMDA reaffirmed its backing for rightful demands that safeguard its members’ interests. The association also expressed optimism about ongoing dialogues with the Federal Government through the Ministries of Labour and Education, describing these talks as “highly promising.”
The statement revealed that the Minister of Education, in a session coordinated by the Minister of Labour and Employment, committed to resolving key issues affecting medical lecturers. These include the full implementation of the Consolidated Medical Workers Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the removal of the mandatory PhD requirement for medical lecturers who already hold postgraduate fellowships, both for academic advancement and eligibility for Vice-Chancellor positions.
NAMDA called on the Federal Executive Council to approve the service scheme outlined in memorandum CM(90)92, adopted during its 11th meeting in 1990, which was based on recommendations from the committee led by the late Chief Justice Atanda Fatai-Williams.
Regarding the Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), the association noted that the Minister of Education had apologized for a miscommunication from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, which had erroneously limited the allowance to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The union accused certain university administrations, supported by a related union, of attempting to exclude NAMDA members from receiving the EAA. It highlighted the case of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, where the Governing Council asserted that medical lecturers were ineligible for the allowance.
To resolve this issue, NAMDA stated it had requested the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the dissemination of two contradictory letters from the Accountant-General’s office on the matter.
Reiterating its independence, NAMDA maintained that “only medical academics within NAMDA are qualified to negotiate the terms of service for medical and dental lecturers effectively.”
The association urged the Federal Government to promptly release the CONMESS circular and direct the National Universities Commission (NUC) to confirm the withdrawal of the directive requiring PhD qualifications for medical academics who possess postgraduate fellowships.
While reserving the right to pursue all lawful avenues, including litigation, to defend its members’ rights, NAMDA emphasized that any future decision to halt services would be made in strict accordance with its constitution.
The union warned that such a move, if ever undertaken, would have significant consequences for both the education and healthcare sectors.
