The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) has debunked rumor’s suggesting that its members are on strike.
The association made this clarification in a statement jointly signed by its President, Dr. Nosa Lancy-Orhue; Secretary-General, Dr. Abdulrahman Shehu; and National Liaison Officer/Organizing Secretary, Dr. Muhammad Askira, on Wednesday in Abuja.
NAMDA, the trade union representing medical lecturers in universities, tertiary hospitals, and research institutions, is responsible for undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, including the training of doctors and dentists across Nigeria.
The association reaffirmed its status as an independent union with the capacity to negotiate its interests while maintaining mutual respect with relevant stakeholders.
“NAMDA is not on strike, and we will not be blackmailed, coaxed, or lured away from the interests of our members,” the statement read.
It said the clarification became necessary following persistent enquiries from members of the public regarding its stance on the ongoing withdrawal of services by another academic union in the university system.
NAMDA acknowledged that its members had long faced neglect but pledged to continue supporting legitimate demands that do not undermine their welfare.
The association also noted that its engagements with the Federal Government through the Ministries of Labour and Education have been “very encouraging.”
It added that the Minister of Education, in a meeting facilitated by the Minister of Labour and Employment, had promised to address key issues affecting medical lecturers.
Among the major demands, the association listed the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Workers Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the withdrawal of the compulsory PhD requirement for medical lecturers with postgraduate fellowships seeking academic promotion or vying for the position of Vice-Chancellor.
NAMDA further urged the Federal Executive Council to approve the scheme of service outlined in memorandum CM(90)92, adopted at its 11th meeting in 1990, based on recommendations from a committee chaired by the late Chief Justice Atanda Fatai Williams.
The statement also addressed the issue of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), revealing that the Minister apologized for an error in a letter from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), which appeared to restrict the benefit to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
NAMDA alleged that some university administrations, backed by a sister union, had tried to exclude its members from EAA payments, citing the case of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, where the Governing Council claimed medical lecturers were not entitled to the allowances.
The association disclosed that it had petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate how two conflicting letters on the matter emanated from the AGF’s office.
NAMDA reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing negotiations with the Federal Government through the committee set up to interface with university unions, insisting that:
“The conditions of service for medical and dental lecturers cannot be satisfactorily negotiated by anyone but medical academics under NAMDA.”
The association urged the government to expedite the circularization of CONMESS and direct the National Universities Commission (NUC) to reaffirm the withdrawal of the circular mandating a PhD for medical academics who already possess postgraduate fellowships.
NAMDA emphasized that it reserved the right to adopt legitimate measures, including legal action, in pursuing its demands. It added that any future withdrawal of service would be done in accordance with its constitution and warned that such action could have serious implications for both the education and health sectors.
