The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) has given the Federal Government a three-week extension to conclude negotiations over its outstanding demands, warning that it will embark on a warning strike if no meaningful progress is made by August 31, 2026.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after the association’s Emergency National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting in Uyo on Friday.
The communiqué, signed by NAMDA President, Dr. Nosa Lancy Orhue, and Acting Secretary-General, Prof. Aniekan Peter, said the extension would provide the government with another opportunity to address the unresolved issues.
According to the association, failure to reach a satisfactory resolution by the deadline would trigger a three-day warning strike.
“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.
“Failure to achieve meaningful resolution at the expiration of the period ending on August 31, 2026, shall result in the declaration of a three-day warning strike to be announced by the National Officers Committee (NOC),” the communiqué stated.
NAMDA also directed all its branches nationwide to organise at least two congresses and sensitisation programmes within the extension period to mobilise members ahead of the proposed industrial action.
The branches were instructed to submit reports and evidence of their mobilisation efforts to the association’s National Executive Council through the secretariat, indicating their level of preparedness for the strike.
The association expressed disappointment over what it described as the Federal Government’s reluctance to conclude negotiations on its demands.
It, however, commended the Department of State Services (DSS) and other stakeholders for their ongoing efforts to facilitate dialogue, while also appreciating members for their patience and commitment to maintaining stability in Nigeria’s university system.
NAMDA further lamented what it described as the government’s failure to prioritise medical education and training despite the shortage of medical and dental professionals and the increasing migration of healthcare workers abroad.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the full implementation of all approved benefits for medical and dental lecturers and urged members to comply with all resolutions reached at the meeting.
