BSUTH, MOAUM Lecturers Give Management July 19 Deadline to Resolve Pay Disputes

Medical lecturers and consultants at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) and the College of Health Sciences, Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM), have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the university management, demanding the resolution of longstanding salary and welfare concerns or risk an indefinite industrial action.

The ultimatum followed an emergency joint congress of the Nigerian Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and the Association of Specialist Medical and Dental Academics (ASMeDA), held on June 29, 2026.
In a notice jointly signed by the chairmen of the three associations—Dr. Innocent Abi (NAMDA, MOAUM/BSUTH), Dr. Emmanuel Iwuozo (MDCAN, BSUTH), and Dr. Paul Beega (ASMeDA, CHS-MOAUM)—the unions stated that the ultimatum took effect on June 29 and will expire on July 19, 2026.
The associations accused the university management of stopping the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) to medically qualified academics, describing the action as unfair and harmful to staff welfare.
They also alleged that the approved Revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) has not been implemented since January 2026 despite receiving the required approval. According to the unions, the delay has deprived members of their rightful salaries and benefits.
The lecturers further expressed concern over the alleged payment of CONMESS-related allowances to lecturers who are not medically qualified and are on the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS). They also decried the non-remittance of statutory pension deductions to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) as well as the staggered payment of promotion arrears instead of full settlement.
Among their demands are the immediate implementation of the Revised CONMESS salary structure, payment of 24 months of accumulated CONMESS arrears, suspension of CONMESS allowance payments to ineligible staff, remittance of all outstanding pension deductions, and full payment of promotion arrears owed to affected members.
The associations warned that if the issues are not addressed before the expiration of the ultimatum, they would have no option but to embark on a total and indefinite strike.
They maintained that the notice was issued in the interest of industrial harmony, improved staff welfare, and the continued delivery of quality medical education and healthcare services in Benue State.