Medical doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) have threatened to embark on industrial action if the Federal Government fails to address their demands within a three-week extension of an ultimatum earlier issued by the association.
The doctors had issued an ultimatum to the Federal Government over what they described as the failure to prioritise medical education and training despite the shortage of medical and dental doctors in the country and the growing “Japa” syndrome among health professionals.
The ultimatum was extended following interventions by the Department of State Services (DSS) and other stakeholders seeking to resolve the dispute. However, NAMDA said the Federal Government failed to adequately respond to its demands at the expiration of the initial ultimatum.
In a communique issued after an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (E-NEC) on August 5, 2026, and signed by the National President, Dr Nosa Lancy Orhue, and Secretary, Prof. Aniekan Peter, the association said it had extended the deadline by three weeks to give the government another opportunity to resolve the outstanding issues.
The communique, made available to journalists in Uyo, said the E-NEC reviewed the association’s engagements with government and other stakeholders and resolved to consider strike action as the next step if no meaningful progress was made.
The association said it observed:
“The reluctance of government to conclude negotiations with NAMDA.”
It also acknowledged its own “patience and cooperation to ensure stability within the university system,” while expressing concern over the continued failure to prioritise medical education and training despite the shortage of medical and dental doctors and the Japa syndrome.
The association further noted the ongoing intervention by the DSS and appeals from other stakeholders.
Following its deliberations, the E-NEC adopted a three-week extension of the ultimatum.
“A three-week timeline extension was adopted and for a possible further consideration.”
NAMDA said the decision was influenced by branch-level engagements, ongoing discussions with the government, the level of government response, the intervention of the DSS and appeals from some of its supporters.
The association warned that the extension should be used by the Federal Government to resolve all outstanding issues.
“Failure to achieve meaningful resolution at the expiration of the period ending on the 31st of August 2026, shall result in the declaration of a three-day warning strike to be announced by National Organizing Committee (NOC).”
The doctors subsequently directed their branches to begin mobilisation ahead of the proposed industrial action.
“Branches were directed to engage their members by organising congress meetings and sensitization programmes.”
They were also instructed to submit evidence and reports of their mobilisation activities to the National Executive Council through the association’s secretariat.
The association’s position means that unless an agreement is reached with the Federal Government before the August 31 deadline, NAMDA could declare a three-day warning strike, potentially disrupting medical education and services in teaching hospitals and other university-based health institutions.
