Benue: Medical lecturers threaten indefinite strike over unpaid allowances

Three medical academic associations at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) and the College of Health Sciences, Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM), have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if their outstanding salary and welfare concerns are not addressed within 21 days.

The ultimatum was announced after a joint emergency congress of the Nigerian Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and the Association of Specialist Medical and Dental Academics (ASMeDA), held on Monday, June 29, 2026.

A notice jointly signed by the Chairmen of the three associations—Dr. Innocent Abi (NAMDA, MOAUM/BSUTH), Dr. Emmanuel Iwuozo (MDCAN, BSUTH), and Dr. Paul Beega (ASMeDA, CHS-MOAUM)—stated that the ultimatum commenced on June 29 and will expire at 11:59 p.m. on July 19, 2026.

The unions accused the university management of discontinuing the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) to medically qualified lecturers, describing the action as unfair and detrimental to their welfare.

They also alleged that the management had failed to implement the approved Revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) since January 2026 despite receiving approval for its enforcement.

Other issues raised by the associations include the alleged payment of CONMESS-related allowances to lecturers who are not medically qualified and are on the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS), the non-remittance of statutory pension deductions to employees’ Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), and the payment of promotion arrears in instalments rather than in full.

The medical lecturers are demanding the immediate implementation of the Revised CONMESS salary structure, payment of 24 months of outstanding CONMESS arrears, an end to the payment of CONMESS allowances to ineligible staff, immediate remittance of all outstanding pension deductions to the appropriate PFAs, and full settlement of promotion arrears in a lump sum.

The associations warned that failure to meet their demands before the expiration of the ultimatum would trigger a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action.”

They noted that the notice was issued in the interest of industrial harmony, improved staff welfare, and the protection of quality medical education and healthcare training in the institution.