UNICAL, UNIUYO Clinical Lecturers Protest Vice Chancellor Selection Criteria, Demand Inclusion

Medical and dental consultants at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) and the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) have raised the alarm over what they described as discriminatory and exclusionary criteria in the ongoing selection process for new vice-chancellors.

Acting under the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) umbrella, the clinical lecturers have called for the immediate withdrawal and revision of vacancy adverts that mandate possession of a PhD, a requirement they argue excludes qualified medical academics.

At UNICAL, clinical lecturers began an indefinite strike on June 13, following the university’s refusal to revise a May 27 vacancy notice published in the Daily Sun, which specified a PhD as a prerequisite for applicants vying for the vice chancellor position.

MDCAN leaders at the university say this clause disqualifies clinical academics. Most hold the fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College or the West African College, terminal qualifications globally recognised for medical educators and researchers.

In a series of petitions and memos to the Governing Council, MDCAN described the PhD-only requirement as a “premeditated disenfranchisement” and a violation of Federal Ministry of Education guidelines, which recommend inclusive qualification criteria. They also cited precedents at other federal universities like Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Benin, where similar positions were advertised with provisions for both PhD and Fellowship qualifications.

Despite engaging with the pro-chancellor and submitting memos on June 2 and 9, MDCAN said the Governing Council has failed to respond or take corrective action. In a communiqué signed by MDCAN UNICAL chairman Dr Patience Odusolu and secretary Dr Ehiosun Aigbomian, the association announced the indefinite suspension of clinical teaching and hospital services until their demands are met.

The demands include immediate withdrawal of the current advert, re-publication of an inclusive vacancy notice, application deadline extension, and suspension of the ongoing selection process pending revision.

The strike is expected to severely disrupt academic activities at the College of Medical Sciences and affect healthcare delivery at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where many clinical lecturers double as consultants.

Meanwhile, tension is also building at the University of Uyo, where the MDCAN chapter at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Governing Council to revise its May 29 vice chancellor vacancy notice.

In a petition signed by Dr Ibiok Uendiah and Dr Solomon Bassey, the group condemned the PhD-only requirement as discriminatory and disconnected from the professional reality of medical academics.

UNIUYO’s MDCAN further decried a lack of transparency surrounding the advert’s publication, noting that the leadership transition in the Governing Council may have affected due process.