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 embarked on industrial action on May 15, 2026, said that while many universities across the country have adopted the CONMESS salary scale instituted by the Federal Government, UNILAG has failed to comply, thereby creating distortions that have worsened the shortage of qualified medical and dental teachers.

President, NAMDA, UNILAG chapter, Prof. Ugburo Andrew Omotayo, stated this yesterday at a media briefing on the industrial action at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos.

Omotayo stressed that the strike is not about seeking higher pay but about equity, justice, and adherence to government policy.

The union, therefore, warned that failure to implement the CONMESS would lead to brain drain, declining quality of medical education, and departments dominated by ageing professors without younger replacements.

Omotayo, however, called for the full implementation of CONMESS for all medical and dental academics, including those above 65 years, with arrears paid from July 2024, and the immediate implementation and payment of CATA to all eligible academics, including accrued arrears, and the prompt introduction of the professor allowance.

He said the union also seeks alignment with the corrected CONMESS salary scale in line with Federal Government circulars, with payment of outstanding arrears, and the proper placement of newly employed academics on the CONMESS structure, with withdrawal and reissuance of appointment letters wrongly stipulating CONUASS.

Omotayo also called for the reversal of inappropriate designations, such as ‘Distinguished Consultants’, which are unknown in the federal public service and university system.

The president said the union stands firm in her commitment to fairness, justice, and the future of medical and dental education in Nigeria.