Academic activities at the college of medicine, University of Lagos (UNILAG), have been thrown into uncertainty as medical and dental lecturers commenced an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare and policy-related grievances.
The action was announced by the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), UNILAG chapter, following the breakdown of talks with the university management.
In a notice issued to Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, the vice chancellor, the lecturers confirmed that the strike began on Monday, May 18, 2026, after the expiration of a three-week ultimatum previously issued to the institution.
According to the union, the decision followed a congress meeting held on May 15, where members resolved to down tools due to what they described as the failure of management to continue meaningful negotiations on their demands.
The association stated that its members would withdraw completely from teaching and academic duties, including lectures, tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions, clinical teaching, ward rounds, and supervision of student research.
Examinations and assessments, including end-of-posting and final professional exams, were also suspended for the duration of the strike.
NAMDA further directed members to abstain from attending meetings within the College of Medicine and related university committees until the dispute is resolved.
The union maintained that the strike would continue until earlier demands submitted in April 2026 are addressed and relevant government salary and university regulatory directives are fully implemented.
Although the specific demands were not detailed in the notice, the lecturers insisted that repeated attempts to resolve the issues had failed, making industrial action unavoidable.
NAMDA-UNILAG added that it remained open to further dialogue, stressing that it still preferred a negotiated resolution to prevent prolonged disruption of the academic calendar.
