The medical and dental lecturers in the South-West zone have insisted that they would not return to work unless they are paid the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.
The South-West Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria had, in February, declared an indefinite industrial action by clinical lecturers in universities across the region over the non-payment of CONMESS.
Our correspondent gathered that out of the 28 federal institutions in the country, only the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, are yet to pay the salary structure.
The state institutions yet to commence the payment of CONMESS in the region are Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo State, and Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State.
According to the MDCAN, the strike action followed the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum on February 2.
A statement by South-West MDCAN Chairman, Dr AbdulKareem Salawu, and Secretary, Dr Omotola Obajowolo, said the association agreed on the industrial action, having reviewed the expiration of an earlier ultimatum issued on January 13.
Speaking with our correspondent on Saturday, Salawu said the region was in talks with political groups and federal government officials to address the issue.
He stated that the non-payment of CONMESS was causing a significant drain on the region’s medical education system.
He said, “Medical lecturers are leaving for better-paying opportunities in other regions, and students trained in the South-West are choosing to work in hospitals rather than becoming lecturers due to lower pay.
“Some universities have promised to start paying lecturers, but progress has been slow. There are hopes that the issue will be resolved by the end of April, although the South-West region is facing a significant challenge compared to other zones.
“If there’s no payment by the end of April, the strike continues. We don’t have a choice. We can’t sit back and watch South-West medical education being destroyed, because if we do nothing about it, medical lecturers who are committed to upholding medical education in the region will have no choice but to go abroad or go to where others will appreciate them. Why can’t our vice-chancellors or university management think outside the box to keep their manpower? It’s actually sad.
“The Ministry of Labour and Employment has weighed in. They met with us and the vice-chancellors, but we have not heard anything since.”
Salawu expressed frustration with the current state of universities and healthcare institutions in the region, particularly in terms of staffing.
He also said that while some vice-chancellors or university management may boast about having enough manpower, the reality is that many institutions are struggling with a lack of staff.