‘Our Future Is At Stake’: OAU Medical Students Cry Out As MDCAN Strike Exceeds 90 Days
Students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, have expressed deep frustration over the prolonged strike by the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), lamenting the devastating impact on their education and future careers.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the strike, which has now exceeded 90 days, has brought academic activities in the university’s medical college to a grinding halt, with many students facing uncertainty about their professional aspirations.
In a statement issued by the OAU Students’ Union and signed by its President, Omoboriowo Isaac, and General Secretary, Babatimehin Kinfeosi, the students decried the prolonged industrial action, which has disrupted clinical training and examinations.
They noted that the strike had left their dreams hanging in the balance, with little hope of timely graduation.
“For over two months, the education of medical and dental students has been held hostage by this strike. We are tired of being collateral damage in a dispute we did not start. Our lives, our futures, and our dreams of becoming medical professionals are wasting away,” the statement read.
While acknowledging the legitimate demands of the clinical lecturers, the students insisted that their education should not continue to suffer as a consequence of the deadlock.
OSUN DEFENDER recalls that the ongoing strike was triggered by the indefinite withdrawal of services by MDCAN in the South West zone over the non-payment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
According to a statement signed by MDCAN Southwest Chairman, Dr AbdulKareem Salawu, and Secretary, Dr Omotola Obajowolo, the decision followed the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum on February 2.
The association had earlier issued an ultimatum on January 13, demanding the full implementation of CONMESS for clinical lecturers in the region, warning that failure to comply would result in industrial action.
Despite the ultimatum, MDCAN lamented that no progress had been made.
The association criticised the disparity in the remuneration of clinical lecturers in the South West compared to other geopolitical zones, describing it as unfair.
It urged relevant authorities, including university Vice-Chancellors, to urgently address the issue to prevent a prolonged disruption in medical education and healthcare delivery.
Meanwhile, OAU students have called on the Federal Government and the university administration to resolve the crisis swiftly, warning that further delays could jeopardise not only their education but also the accreditation of the medical college.
“We have written letters, consulted stakeholders, and pleaded for dialogue, yet the silence from those in power grows louder each day. Over 90 days without clinical training is not just a delay; it is a theft of our time and a derailment of our careers. We demand an immediate resolution,” the students said.
The students emphasised the need for fairness and equity in the remuneration of clinical lecturers across the country, aligning with MDCAN’s call for a uniform salary structure.
They stressed that their future as medical professionals was at stake and appealed for urgent intervention to restore normalcy in the medical college.
Tijani Abdulkareem is a young talented and immensely creative journalist and content writer with an absolute commitment to high-quality research, writing and dedication to sound investigative research methods, with a strong desire to know the truth of every matter to promote journalism.
Related posts:
Only 6,000 Medical Consultants Left In Nigeria Amid ‘Japa’ Syndrome – MDCAN
We Cook With Sachet Water, Go To Class Without Bathing – OAU Students Cry Out Over Water Crisis
‘This Is Exploitation’: OAU Students Cry Out Over Rising House Rent In Ile-Ife
Fear Grips OAU Medical Students As Clinical Lecturers Embark On Strike
