By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), has suspended its four-month strike following an emergency congress meeting held on Monday, December 1.
A press statement made available on Wednesday, December 3, and signed by the Interim Chairman, Professor Michael Olamoyegun, and the Interim Secretary, Dr Ayobami Alabi, stated that all academic activities resumed on Tuesday, December 2.
According to the statement, the suspension of the strike, which began on July 31 over the delayed implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), was aimed at enabling constructive, good-faith engagement with the university management to secure full CONMESS, covering both allowances and arrears.
The lecturers noted that only the basic salary component of CONMESS had been paid so far, while all associated allowances and arrears accruing from January 2025 remain outstanding.
The association had earlier rejected the proposed implementation and deferred it to July 2026, nearly 19 months after negotiations began.
The statement read: “Following an exhaustive and comprehensive deliberation at the Emergency Congress of our Association held, the NAMDA, LAUTECH chapter, reviewed the progress made so far on our demand for the full implementation of CONMESS for all medically qualified lecturers.
“Congress noted that only the Basic component of CONMESS has been received so far, while all associated allowances under full CONMESS remain outstanding, together with the arrears accruing from January 2025. These unresolved components form the core of our continued negotiation with the university management.
“After careful consideration, the congress unanimously resolved as follows: The ongoing industrial action which commenced July 31, is hereby suspended, to allow for further constructive and good-faith engagement with the university management toward securing the full CONMESS package, including allowances and arrears.”
The statement further noted that the congress also approved a framework for periodic review of progress on the implementation of CONMESS.
The association stated that its future actions, including the possibility of escalation, would depend strictly on the university management’s actions or inactions at a time.
“This resolution is taken in good faith, in recognition of the appeals from the general public and various stakeholders; in trust that the university management will speed up the payment of the outstanding allowances and arrears; and in our commitment to safeguarding the training and progression of our medical students.
“Our desire to prevent further strain on the medical programme, and our trust in the ongoing efforts of the Governing Council and the Commissioner for Education (Oyo State), whose appeals and assurances were duly acknowledged by the congress,” according to the statement.
