The National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA-UNILAG) has called for the full implementation of the CONMESS salary scale for medical and dental academics at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). The union, which began an industrial action on May 15, 2026, stated that while many universities across Nigeria have adopted the CONMESS salary scale instituted by the Federal Government, UNILAG has failed to comply. This non-compliance has created distortions that exacerbate the shortage of qualified medical and dental teachers.
Union's Stance on Equity and Justice
Prof. Ugburo Andrew Omotayo, President of NAMDA, UNILAG chapter, addressed the media yesterday at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos. He emphasized that the strike is not about seeking higher pay but about equity, justice, and adherence to government policy. Omotayo warned that failure to implement CONMESS would lead to brain drain, declining quality of medical education, and departments dominated by ageing professors without younger replacements.
Specific Demands of NAMDA-UNILAG
The union demands include:
- Full implementation of CONMESS for all medical and dental academics, including those above 65 years, with arrears paid from July 2024.
- Immediate implementation and payment of CATA (Consolidated Academic Salary Structure) to all eligible academics, including accrued arrears.
- Prompt introduction of the professor allowance.
- Alignment with the corrected CONMESS salary scale in line with Federal Government circulars, with payment of outstanding arrears.
- Proper placement of newly employed academics on the CONMESS structure, with withdrawal and reissuance of appointment letters wrongly stipulating CONUASS.
- Reversal of inappropriate designations, such as 'Distinguished Consultants', which are unknown in the federal public service and university system.
Omotayo reiterated the union's commitment to fairness, justice, and the future of medical and dental education in Nigeria.
