OAUTHC Clinical Staff Set to Commence Strike on Feb 3 Over Unpaid Salaries
This decision is based on a directive from the southwest branch of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN).
In a statement co-signed by its chairman, Dr. Olufemi Ogundipe, and its general secretary, Dr. Tajudin Adetunji, MDCAN explained that the strike notice follows a 21-day ultimatum given to university vice-chancellors in the southwest region.
MDCAN further clarified that its demand is for the inclusion of clinical lecturers in the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS), a structure that has already been adopted by other medical colleges in Nigerian universities.
According to the association, the lack of implementation of the CONMESS salary structure has led to significant income gaps for clinical lecturers at OAU.
The union emphasized that years of financial losses and wage inconsistencies have made the current situation unsustainable for its members.
MDCAN maintained that the urgent adoption of the CONMESS salary scale is essential to resolving the issues faced by clinical staff and stressed that the planned strike will go forward unless their requests are fulfilled.
The strike is likely to affect medical services at OAUTHC, which could lead to disruptions in healthcare delivery within the area.
“We are demanding the immediate payment of CONMESS to all clinical lecturers in OAU to save the future of medical education in the foremost citadel of learning.”
While urging OAU management to take prompt action, the association expressed concern over the shortage of clinical lecturers and the declining state of medical education in Nigeria, attributing these challenges to the authorities’ indifferent approach toward issues affecting the nation’s health sector.
MDCAN insisted that the unwillingness of the authorities to address these pressing concerns has worsened the situation.
As the strike looms, the academic future of final-year dental students at OAU is now uncertain.
A clinical lecturer at the university, who requested anonymity to avoid retaliation, spoke to journalists about the potential consequences of the strike.
He stated: “The Dental final-year examination commenced on Monday and will be badly affected by the strike if urgent measures are not taken to avert it.”
He further explained that other professional examinations scheduled for February could also be at risk.
“Our resolve as an association is to go ahead with the strike. And with that position, the effects on students’ examinations and other academic activities are better imagined than experienced.”
