By Israel Adamu, Jos
The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) and the Medical and Dental Specialist Association in Basic Medical Sciences (MEDSABAMS) have raised concerns over the ongoing withdrawal of services by medical lecturers in medical schools across South-West universities.
The associations lamented the failure of universities in the South-West and Ilorin to implement the migration of medical lecturers to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), despite the structure being applied in other geopolitical zones.
In a joint statement issued in Jos, MDCAN President Prof. Mohammad Aminu and MEDSABAMS President Prof. AbdulGafar Jimoh expressed frustration over the lack of progress on the issue.
It will be recalled that clinical lecturers in tertiary institutions across the South-West have been on strike since February 3, 2025, demanding full payment under the CONMESS salary structure.
The statement called on the Federal Government, the Minister of Education, and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to intervene and urge Vice Chancellors of the affected universities to resolve the issue. The associations warned that continued strike action would lead to major disruptions in medical education and healthcare delivery.
According to MDCAN and MEDSABAMS, the ongoing strike could prevent the addition of nearly 1,000 doctors to Nigeria’s already depleted healthcare workforce, worsening the doctor-patient ratio and further compromising healthcare outcomes.
The associations also cautioned that unresolved salary issues could lead to:
- Increased emigration of medical professionals (Japa Syndrome).
- Inadequate personnel to handle future health crises.
- Loss of experienced medical lecturers to better-paying opportunities abroad.
They urged the Minister of Labour and Employment, as well as the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission, to implement the resolutions reached with the Federal Government on November 22, 2024. This agreement includes the migration of all medical lecturers to CONMESS, which would address salary disparities, improve pension schemes, and enhance monthly take-home pay.
The statement further stressed that resolving these issues would support the government’s plan to double medical school enrolment by encouraging young medical professionals to take up academic positions. It would also promote industrial harmony in medical education and ensure the sustainability of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
