Medical and dental lecturers in the South-West region have reaffirmed their decision to continue their indefinite strike until they are fully paid under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
The industrial action, which began in February, was declared by the South-West zone of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) following the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued on February 2, after an earlier warning notice on January 13.
According to findings, only a few federal institutions — the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Ilorin — have yet to implement the CONMESS. Among state institutions in the South-West, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Oyo State and Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun State are also yet to begin payment.
In a joint statement, MDCAN South-West Chairman, Dr AbdulKareem Salawu, and Secretary, Dr Omotola Obajowolo, maintained that the strike would persist until the salary structure is implemented. Speaking further on Saturday, Dr Salawu told reporters that discussions were ongoing with political stakeholders and federal officials to resolve the matter.
He warned that the non-payment of CONMESS is affecting medical education in the region, leading to an exodus of lecturers and a shift in career preference among medical students who now opt for hospital jobs over academic roles.
“Some institutions have promised to pay, but progress is slow. If the matter is not resolved by the end of April, the strike continues. We don’t have a choice,” he said. “If nothing is done, the South-West risks losing its medical academic workforce to other regions or even abroad.”
Salawu also expressed concern about the staffing crisis affecting universities and teaching hospitals in the region, stating that many institutions were struggling to maintain adequate personnel despite public claims to the contrary.
He confirmed that the Ministry of Labour and Employment had intervened and held meetings with both MDCAN and university management, but there had been no substantial follow-up.
