Benue Healthcare Crisis Deepens: Medical Lecturers Launch Indefinite Strike

Medical lecturers operating under the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) at the College of Health Sciences and Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) have initiated an indefinite strike. This significant industrial action, which commenced on August 10, 2026, is a direct response to a range of unresolved demands, primarily focusing on outstanding financial obligations and the implementation of agreed-upon remuneration structures.

The primary grievances driving the lecturers to strike include the non-payment of 25 months’ accrued arrears under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), alongside the demand for the full implementation of the revised CONMESS. Further critical demands involve the immediate remittance of outstanding pension deductions to their respective Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and the payment of all outstanding promotion arrears. Additionally, the striking lecturers are advocating for an end to the practice of extending CONMESS-specific allowances to non-medically qualified lecturers who are remunerated under the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS).

The decision to embark on this indefinite strike was reached following an emergency congress convened by NAMDA members. During this congress, there was a unanimous resolution to proceed with the industrial action after an ultimatum previously issued to the university management and other pertinent authorities had expired without satisfactory resolution. The strike is anticipated to have a profound impact on the academic and medical landscape, affecting essential teaching activities, student assessments, and examinations for both medical and allied health students across MOAUM and BSUTH. Furthermore, the lecturers will suspend the crucial supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students, attendance at official and statutory meetings, and all other academic activities integral to medical training.

The statement officially announcing the strike was co-signed by Dr. Innocent Abi, who serves as the Chairman of NAMDA MOAUM/BSUTH, and Dr. Paul Beega, Chairman of ASMeDA, College of Health Sciences, MOAUM. In their appeal, the lecturers have urged the management of the College of Health Sciences, MOAUM, BSUTH, and the Benue State Government to intervene urgently. Their objective is to resolve these pressing issues swiftly and amicably, thereby preventing a prolonged disruption of vital medical education and essential healthcare services at the teaching hospital.