Academic and clinical activities at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, ground to a halt on Monday after medical and dental lecturers under the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics, UNILAG chapter, commenced an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare and regulatory demands.

The industrial action, which took effect on 18 May 2026, followed the expiration of a three week ultimatum issued to university management and a congress of the association held on 15 May 2026, which resolved to proceed with the strike after what the union described as the "failure of management to engage in further negotiations concerning our demands."

In a formal notice addressed to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, and signed by NAMDA UNILAG Chairman Dr Ugburo Andrew Omotayo, the union announced the withdrawal of its members from all academic, clinical and research functions with immediate effect.

The scope of the action is wide ranging. Suspended activities include lectures, tutorials, seminars, case based learning, ward rounds, theatre sessions and clinical teaching. The notice further confirmed the suspension of laboratory demonstrations, research supervision and all examinations, including end of posting assessments and final written and clinical examinations.

"Our members will not be involved in lectures of medical students, tutorial teaching, seminar teaching, case based learning, clinical teaching in the clinics, the wards and theatres," the notice stated.

Members also announced a boycott of all meetings involving the university, the College of Medicine and associated faculties and departments for the duration of the strike.

The union traced the dispute to an April 22, 2026, demand letter sent to management, listing grievances tied to welfare concerns and the failure to implement circulars issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and the National Universities Commission. Specific details of the demands were not disclosed in the notice.

NAMDA UNILAG maintained that the strike became unavoidable after negotiations broke down, but signalled its openness to dialogue. "NAMDA UNILAG members remain committed to negotiations in good faith and are available on any day, any time to meet with the management to find a resolution of the dispute," Omotayo stated.

The chairman added that the decision was taken "with all sense of responsibility" and that the union did not wish to disrupt the academic calendar unnecessarily.

Medical students at the College of Medicine now face an uncertain academic outlook as the strike continues with no resolution timeline in sight.