Doctors Extend Deadline for FG Talks, Threaten Nationwide Warning Strike.
The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) has granted the Federal Government an additional three weeks to conclude negotiations over outstanding welfare and professional issues, warning that failure to reach a satisfactory agreement by August 31, 2026, could trigger a nationwide warning strike.
The decision was reached during the association’s Emergency National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting and communicated in a statement jointly signed by NAMDA President, Dr. Nosa Lancy Orhue, and Acting Secretary-General, Prof. Aniekan Peter, on Friday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
According to the communique, the association resolved to extend its earlier 21-day strike ultimatum to allow more time for discussions and possible compromise between both parties.
NAMDA urged the Federal Government to make effective use of the extension period to address all unresolved concerns affecting medical and dental academics across the country.
The association warned that if meaningful progress is not achieved by the expiration of the deadline on August 31, it will proceed with a three-day warning strike.
“A three-week timeline extension was adopted for further consideration. 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,” the communique stated.
As part of its mobilisation strategy, NAMDA directed its branches nationwide to hold congress meetings and sensitisation programmes at least twice within the extension period. Branches are also expected to submit reports detailing members’ level of preparedness and mobilisation efforts to the National Executive Council through the association’s secretariat.
The association expressed concern over what it described as the government’s slow pace in concluding negotiations, despite repeated engagements on issues affecting medical education and training in Nigeria.
However, NAMDA commended the Department of State Services (DSS) and other stakeholders for their intervention efforts aimed at facilitating dialogue between the association and the government.
The medical academics also lamented the continued neglect of medical education, warning that inadequate attention to the sector could worsen the shortage of doctors in the country, particularly amid the growing wave of emigration by healthcare professionals, popularly known as the “Japa” phenomenon.
Reaffirming its commitment to improving conditions for medical and dental lecturers, the association called for the full implementation of all approved benefits and urged members to remain united and compliant with decisions reached by its leadership.
The latest development raises concerns about potential disruptions in medical education and training programmes in federal universities if negotiations fail to produce a breakthrough before the end of August.