From: Isaac Job, Uyo
Doctors under the affiliate bodies of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State chapter have commenced two weeks warning strike over alleged refusal of management of University of Uyo to migrate them to Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) as obtainable in other federal universities .
The aggrieved doctors include members of Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) and the Association of Specialists Medical and Dental Academics (ASMEDA).
Others who have joined the strike after the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum earlier issued to UNIUYO management are members of Nigerian Association of Dental and Hospital University Staff (NADHUS).
In a statement made available to Journalists in Uyo to update the public on the strike, the state Public Relations Officer of NMA Dr. Gabriel Eyo said the strike action is in line with the resolution empowering the State Officers Committee (SOC) to declare a strike if the University fails to initiate negotiations within the stipulated period.
Eyo explained that during the strike, there would be no examinations for students, no ward rounds, and no lectures on campus .
He said after two weeks, ASMEDA and NADHUS would proceed to withdraw clinical services, as directed by congress.
The statement reads in parts:
“Following the failure of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo to reach out to NMA-AKS as at the close of business on Wednesday, 23rd April 2025, the strike action earlier approved by Congress has officially commenced.
“This is in line with the resolution empowering the State Officers Committee to declare a strike if the University failed to initiate negotiations. All medical lecturers, MDCAN, and ASMEDA members are to remain on strike. During this period, there shall be no lectures, no ward rounds, and no examinations by members for students.
“After two weeks, MDCAN, ASMEDA, and NADHUS shall proceed to withdraw clinical services, as directed by Congress,”
Eyo disclosed that an emergency meeting will be held this weekend to brief members on progress regarding negotiations.
He called on members to stay united and resolute, affirming that the welfare of members remains a top priority for the State Officers Committee.
The Nigeria Medical Association ( NBA) in the state, had during an emergency general meeting last month issued UNIUYO management a 21-day ultimatum starting from 2nd April 2025 to resolve all issues affecting the welfare of the affected members.
The contentious issues, according to the communique signed by the State Chairman of the Association, Dr. Aniekan Peter, include non-migration to CONMESS, protracted delay in the promotion of medical lecturers, three months’ salary arrears owed to medical lecturers, and inadequate staffing of medical lecturers and officers at the University health centres.
The association had resolved that if its demands were not implemented at the end of the 21 days, it would, without further notice, commence an indefinite strike to press home its demands.