Medical lecturers issue fresh strike ultimatum
University of Ilorin medical lecturers have declared support for a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over welfare concerns and the poor prioritisation of medical education.
The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), University of Ilorin Branch, have declared support for the national body’s decision to give the Federal Government a fresh 21-day ultimatum. The branch declared its support in a communiqué issued on Saturday in Ilorin and signed by the Branch Chairman, Prof. Mohammed Abdulkadir, and Secretary, Dr Adebayo Oloko.
According to the communique, the decision was reached by Congress after it reviewed developments on the outstanding demands of its members and the resolutions of the Emergency National Executive Council of NAMDA. It said that the 21-day ultimatum was to address the long-standing concerns of medical and dental academics in the country and that the ultimatum would expire on Aug. 31.
The communique listed key demands of the association to include delays in concluding negotiations with NAMDA and implementing agreed resolutions. “There is poor prioritisation of medical and dental education, training and research in spite of Nigeria’s severe shortage of doctors and dentists. We also have brain drain of trained medical professionals and academics to other countries, with implications for undergraduate and postgraduate training and healthcare delivery,” it said.
The association also lamented the welfare and working conditions of medical and dental academics, which it said must be improved to retain staff and sustain the quality of medical education. “Members have demonstrated considerable patience and restraint in the interest of maintaining stability within the university system and protecting the education of students,” the communiqué stated.
The ultimatum is a reminder of the chronic underfunding of Nigeria’s education and health sectors. Medical lecturers have long complained about poor pay and working conditions, and the brain drain has only exacerbated the problem. The government must act to address the grievances or risk a strike that could disrupt medical education and healthcare delivery.
This echoes the 2022 medical lecturers’ strike, which also centred on welfare and funding concerns. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a government struggling to meet the demands of healthcare workers.
The winners: none, if a strike occurs. The losers: medical students, who will face disrupted education; patients, who may face reduced healthcare services; and the Nigerian government, which must address the grievances.
Bottom Line: Medical lecturers have issued a 21-day ultimatum. The government must act. The question is whether it will address the grievances or risk a strike.