From Taiye Joseph,
Clinical lecturers at the University of Ilorin, have embarked on an indefinite strike, citing unresolved salary discrepancies that have lingered for years.
Represented by the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) and the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), the lecturers announced the strike in a joint statement on Tuesday.
The statement, signed by Prof. Olatunde Ibrahim, MDCAN Chairman at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), and Prof. Mohammad Abdulkadir, NAMDA Chairman, highlighted a full withdrawal from academic and clinical responsibilities, including lectures, practical sessions, exams, and official meetings.
“The strike action will continue until our members are migrated and paid using the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) as enshrined in relevant government circulars and implemented by most federal universities, with payment of arrears from July 2023,” the statement read.
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The lecturers revealed that Unilorin’s clinical lecturers currently earn about half of what their counterparts at other federal universities receive, despite numerous efforts to resolve the issue.
“This discrepancy has persisted for more than five years,” they stated, noting that similar pay issues also affect clinical lecturers at other Southwestern universities, including the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, and Obafemi Awolowo University.
After issuing a 21-day notice on October 7, the lecturers expressed disappointment in the university’s administration for not forwarding their requests to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) of the Accountant General’s Office.
They further noted that the inadequate pay has led many colleagues to seek opportunities abroad or at other institutions.
While the lecturers have suspended academic activities, they reassured the public that clinical duties at UITH will remain unaffected.
