The leadership crisis within the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has escalated, following a vote of no confidence passed by state chairmen against the association’s national president, Professor Bala Audu, and the National Officers Committee (NOC).
In a letter dated October 29 and titled “A Call to Action Following a Breach of the Constitution of the Nigerian Medical Association,” the chairmen accused the national leadership of failing to convene an Emergency Delegates Meeting (EDM) within 14 days, despite fulfilling all constitutional requirements.
The group, led by Dr. Oreyemi Ifedayo, Chairman of NMA Ekiti State, expressed frustration over stalled negotiations on doctors’ welfare and unpaid salaries, noting that 120 days had passed since the president’s last public statement without any tangible progress.
All state chairmen, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) representative, signed the resolution and pledged support for the planned nationwide strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) scheduled for November 1, 2025.
However, the embattled national leadership rejected claims of division within the association. In a statement signed by the NMA Secretary-General, Dr. Benjamin Egbo, the leadership insisted that the association “remains united, functional, and committed to the welfare of all medical and dental practitioners.”
Dr. Egbo dismissed the group of state chairmen as an “unrecognized body” under the NMA constitution, stressing that any request for an emergency meeting must undergo due verification of signatories in collaboration with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
He added that the current leadership had already held two Emergency Delegates Meetings this year and would convene another once all constitutional conditions were met.
“Only communications and decisions emanating from constitutionally recognized organs of the association represent its official position. No informal group or ad hoc platform has the authority to speak or act on behalf of the NMA,” Dr. Egbo stated.
He further reaffirmed the NMA’s solidarity with NARD, describing resident doctors’ welfare concerns as “shared concerns.”
“Under this administration, NARD has embarked on two strikes, both of which received full NMA support. Any suggestion that we undermine our affiliates is completely unfounded,” he said.
Meanwhile, former World Medical Association Communications Director and Convener of the Doctors Timeout Family, Dr. Anthony Chukwunonso Ude, urged the NMA National Executive Council (NEC) to intervene.
In a memo titled “Constitutional Next Steps Following the Vote of No Confidence and Established Breach by the NMA President and National Officers Committee,” Dr. Ude called on the NEC to mandate the Secretary-General or a designated officer to convene the Emergency Delegates Meeting within 14 days.
He cited Articles 7(2), 7(3), 11(3), and 12(1)(b) of the NMA constitution, emphasizing that no officer or organ of the association is above the constitution.
“The President’s failure to convene the meeting within the stipulated period constitutes a breach. The NEC must now act to uphold constitutional integrity and restore confidence in the association’s leadership,” he declared.
As tensions persist, stakeholders across the country are urging dialogue and constitutional adherence to prevent further division within Nigeria’s foremost medical body.
