Medical Lecturers Give FG August 31 Deadline to Avert Strike
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Medical and dental lecturers across Nigeria have given the Federal Government until August 31, 2026, to resolve lingering welfare and professional issues or face a nationwide three-day warning strike.
The ultimatum was issued after the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) concluded its Emergency National Executive Council meeting on Friday.
In a communiqué jointly signed by NAMDA President, Dr Nosa Lancy Orhue, and Acting Secretary-General, Prof Aniekan Peter, the association said the three-week extension represents a final opportunity for the government to conclude ongoing negotiations.
It warned that failure to make meaningful progress before the deadline would trigger a nationwide warning strike.
NAMDA directed all branches to convene congresses and awareness meetings during the extension period while preparing members for possible industrial action. Branches are also expected to submit mobilisation reports to the national secretariat.
While acknowledging the intervention of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other stakeholders facilitating discussions, the association criticised what it described as the slow pace of negotiations.
NAMDA also expressed concern over what it called the continued neglect of medical education, warning that poor welfare and the migration of healthcare professionals abroad were worsening the shortage of qualified medical and dental lecturers in Nigerian universities.
The association renewed its demand for the full implementation of approved welfare packages and professional entitlements for its members, urging lecturers nationwide to remain united pending the outcome of negotiations.
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