The Medical and Dental Specialists Association in Basic Medical Sciences (MeDSABAMS) has raised alarm over what it describes as a looming collapse in Nigeria’s health and medical education sectors, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene. This call follows the 21-day ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on July 2, 2025, demanding the reversal of a controversial circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), dated June 27.
MeDSABAMS, a key affiliate of the NMA, represents specialist medical and dental doctors in basic and clinical sciences in Nigerian universities. In a press statement jointly signed by its National President, Professor Abdulgafar O. Jimoh, and National Secretary-General, Dr. John C. Anionye, the Association expressed deep concern over the new wage directive, calling it “misguided, unilateral, and counterproductive.”
The group stated that Nigeria is already grappling with a growing exodus of medical professionals, both clinical and academic, due to poor remuneration, inadequate working conditions, and a lack of incentives to stay in the country. According to MeDSABAMS, medical academics in universities face a double burden of the loss of professional allowances and an increased workload due to rising medical school admissions.
