…Wants FG to offset doctors’ outstanding demands
The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), University of Ilorin Branch, has declared its support for the national body’s decision to issue the Federal Government a fresh 21-day ultimatum to address its outstanding demands.
In a communiqué issued at the weekend and signed by Mohammed Abdulkadir, Professor and Branch Chairman, as well as Adebayo Oloko, Secretary, the Association said its Congress reviewed developments concerning the outstanding demands of its members, as well as resolutions reached at the Emergency National Executive Council meeting of NAMDA.
The Association said the 21-day ultimatum, which expires on Aug. 31, 2026, was aimed at compelling the Federal Government to address the long-standing concerns of medical and dental academics across the country.
The decision was taken at a Congress meeting of the University of Ilorin branch held in Ilorin.
The branch expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as the government’s slow pace and lack of urgency in concluding negotiations and resolving issues affecting medical and dental academics in tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals.
According to the communiqué, the association’s key demands include the conclusion of negotiations with NAMDA and the implementation of agreements already reached.
It also expressed concern over what it described as the poor prioritisation of medical and dental education, training and research despite the country’s severe shortage of doctors and dentists.
The Association further lamented the continued brain drain of trained medical professionals and academics to other countries, warning that the trend was undermining undergraduate and postgraduate training as well as healthcare delivery.
It also called for improved welfare and working conditions for medical and dental academics to facilitate staff retention and sustain the quality of medical education and research.
“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 branch acknowledged interventions by the Department of State Services (DSS) and other stakeholders, but insisted that such interventions must now produce “concrete, measurable and time-bound outcomes.”
It therefore urged the Federal Government and relevant authorities to utilise the 21-day window to conclude negotiations and resolve all outstanding issues.
The branch warned that failure to address the demands within the stipulated period would leave the association with no option but to act in line with directives from its national leadership.
“We call on students, parents, members of the public and other stakeholders to prevail upon the Government to urgently address these matters and avert avoidable disruption to medical education, research and healthcare services,” the association stated.
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