More Labour Strikes hit Benue As Medical Lecturers Give 21-Day ultimatum, Threaten Indefinite Strike Over Unpaid Allowances, Salary Disputes

Medical lecturers and consultants at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) and the College of Health Sciences, Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM), have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the university management to address lingering salary and welfare concerns or face an indefinite industrial action.

The ultimatum followed an emergency joint 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 June 29, 2026.

In 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)—the unions said the ultimatum took effect on June 29 and will expire on July 19, 2026.

The associations accused the university management of discontinuing the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) to medically qualified academics, describing the move as unfair and detrimental to staff welfare.

They also alleged that the approved Revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) has not been implemented since January 2026 despite receiving the necessary approval. According to the unions, the delay has denied members their legitimate earnings and benefits.

The lecturers further raised concerns over the alleged payment of CONMESS-related allowances to lecturers who are not medically qualified and are on the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS). They also complained about the non-remittance of statutory pension deductions to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and the staggered payment of promotion arrears rather than full settlement.

Among their demands are the immediate implementation of the Revised CONMESS salary structure, payment of 24 months of accumulated CONMESS arrears, suspension of CONMESS allowance payments to ineligible staff, remittance of all outstanding pension deductions, and full payment of promotion arrears owed to affected members.

The associations warned that failure to address the issues before the expiration of the ultimatum would leave them with no option but to embark on a total and indefinite strike action.

They maintained that the notice was issued in the interest of industrial harmony, improved staff welfare and the sustenance of quality medical education and healthcare services in the state.