The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Akwa Ibom State has escalated its ongoing dispute with the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), threatening a 21-day strike unless immediate action is taken to address its members’ welfare concerns.
Following an emergency meeting at the Doctors’ Mess in Uyo, the NMA’s chairman, Dr. Aniekan Peter, revealed that multiple attempts to resolve the issues with UNIUYO’s administration, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, had failed. Dr. Peter emphasized that the strike was being considered as a last resort, after numerous unaddressed appeals.
“We are left with no choice but to take this drastic step after exhausting all avenues of dialogue,” Dr. Peter stated.
The NMA’s communiqué, signed by Dr. Peter and assistant secretary Dr. Unyime Ndoh, outlined several contentious issues, particularly regarding the welfare of medical lecturers and doctors at the university. Among the most pressing grievances was the failure to migrate medical staff to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), a decision already approved by the university’s Governing Council. The association also pointed out the university’s delay in paying arrears dating back to 2016, despite similar institutions having met their obligations.
Further concerns included the critical shortage of medical lecturers and staff at the UNIUYO Health Centre, leading to overburdened workers and diminishing service quality. “There is grossly inadequate medical staff at the Health Centre,” said Dr. Peter. “This has caused immense stress and unnecessary workload on our members.”
The NMA also highlighted the prolonged delay in promoting deserving lecturers, a situation made worse by the withholding of salaries during the 2022 Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike. “Medical lecturers are still owed three and a half months’ salary,” Dr. Peter lamented, accusing the university management of hindering the payment process by refusing to sign necessary documents for ministerial approval.
As a result, the NMA has issued a 21-day ultimatum for UNIUYO to meet several key demands:
– The immediate migration of medical lecturers to CONMESS with full arrears.
– Urgent recruitment of medical lecturers and doctors for the university’s health center.
– Promotion of overdue medical lecturers with payment of outstanding promotion arrears.
– Immediate payment of withheld three and a half months’ salaries.
The association made it clear that failure to meet these demands will result in a strike, further underscoring the urgency of the situation for the university’s medical faculty.
