Nigerian Medical Association Issues Federal Government Three-Week Ultimatum, Warns of Potential Industrial Action

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The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics has issued the Federal Government a three-week extension to conclude negotiations over its outstanding demands.

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The association, in a communiqué issued to newsmen in Uyo on Friday, threatened that failure by the government to conclude the negotiations within the period ending on August 31, 2026, would result in the declaration of a strike.

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According to the communiqué, which was endorsed by the President, Dr Nosa Lancy Orhue, and the Acting Secretary-General, Prof. Aniekan Peter, the three-week extension was adopted at the end of the association’s Emergency National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting.

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It read, “A three-week timeline extension was adopted for a possible further consideration. E-NEC further resolved that the extension period should be utilised by government to resolve all outstanding issues.

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“Failure to achieve meaningful resolution at the expiration of the period ending on the 31st of August 2026 shall result in the declaration of a three-day warning strike to be announced by NOC,” the communiqué read in part.

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It further mandated all branches across the country to engage their members by organising congresses and sensitisation programmes at least twice within the timeframe and send evidence or reports of the mobilisation activities to the NEC through the secretariat.

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It added that the reports should indicate the level of preparedness and mobilisation for the strike action.

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While decrying the alleged reluctance of the government to conclude negotiations with NAMDA, the communiqué applauded the Directorate of State Services (DSS) and some friends of the association for their ongoing interventions in the negotiations, as well as members’ patience and cooperation in ensuring stability within the university system.

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The association further decried the non-prioritisation of medical education and training despite the dearth of medical and dental doctors and the Japa syndrome in Nigeria.

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It also reaffirmed the need to pursue the full implementation of all approved benefits for medical and dental lecturers, even as it urged members to ensure compliance with all directives and decisions reached at the meeting.

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