Medical lecturers at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso have launched strong criticism against the university management, accusing them of deceptive practices and unfair treatment regarding the non-implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
Broken Promises and Empty Rhetoric
The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), LAUTECH chapter, released a strongly worded statement on Friday condemning what they describe as management's failure to honor commitments made over a year ago. The statement was signed by Professor M. A. Olamoyegun, the Acting Chairman, and Dr. A. O. Alabi, the Acting Secretary.
According to the medical academics, the university management's recent press statement on the CONMESS issue was dismissed as "a defensive public-relations document" filled with "vague promises and empty rhetoric" rather than a genuine effort to resolve the long-standing salary disparity.
Eleven Months of Waiting
The association revealed that their struggle for CONMESS implementation has persisted for over a year, noting that virtually all other medical schools across Nigeria - both federal and state-owned institutions - have already implemented the approved salary structure for their medical lecturers.
The lecturers recalled that in January 2025, the Vice Chancellor, Professor R. O. Rom Kalilu, personally assured the union that CONMESS would be implemented without delay. Acting in good faith, NAMDA suspended its strike at that time.
However, the association expressed deep disappointment that eleven months later, no concrete action has been taken. "No council approval, no payroll adjustment, and no arrears have been paid," the statement emphasized.
Management's Response Deemed Unacceptable
NAMDA firmly rejected management's proposal that CONMESS implementation would begin in November 2025 and become fully operational by July 2026, describing this timeline as an "attempt to push medical lecturers into another nine-month period of suffering and cheating."
The association particularly criticized the clause to 'consider payment of arrears thereafter' as "not a commitment; it is a deliberate evasion of responsibility." They asserted that "no one considers paying what is legally due; one pays it."
The medical academics argue that the continued delay amounts to discrimination and violates constitutional and labor laws, specifically citing:
- Sections 17(3a & e) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)
- Section 42(1) of the 1999 Constitution
- The Labour Act
- The Trade Union Act
The association also denied management's attempt to link recent student protests to their rejection of the CONMESS offer, insisting that the campus unrest resulted directly from the university's failure to honor its promises to various stakeholders.
NAMDA warned that continued neglect of their legitimate demands could lead to significant disruption of both academic and clinical activities at the institution, affecting medical education and healthcare services in the region.
