The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Southeast caucus, has announced a five-day warning strike for universities in the Southeast and South-South regions in support of staff at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, who are protesting the exclusion of clinical lecturers from the eligibility criteria for the Vice-Chancellor position.
In a letter dated October 16, 2024, jointly signed by Dr. Iroro E. Yarhere, Chairman, and Dr. Stanley Ogbonna, Secretary of MDCAN South-East Caucus, the association expressed concern over the selection criteria for the Vice-Chancellor position at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, which includes the requirement for candidates to hold a PhD, thereby automatically excluding clinical lecturers who are employed as Fellows of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and the West African College of Physicians/Surgeons.
They faulted the stipulation that candidates must be supervising PhD students, which also unfairly disqualifies clinical lecturers who are primarily responsible for supervising medical residents and clinical fellows.
The lecturers warned that if the issue is not immediately resolved, it may lead to an escalation of the industrial action beyond the five-day warning strike.
They said, “This exclusion is unacceptable to us, as it sets a dangerous precedent. Should this be allowed to stand, it could encourage other universities to adopt similar exclusionary policies, effectively denigrating the Fellowship qualifications with which clinical lecturers were employed at the rank of Lecturer I or higher. This development also undermines the professional standing of clinical lecturers who have contributed immensely to the academic, research, and service delivery missions of their respective universities.”
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“Consequently, clinical lecturers across the South-East and South-South regions have resolved to initiate a five-day solidarity and warning strike starting Monday, October 21, 2024, to express their strong opposition to this unfair exclusion. Failure to address this issue will leave us with no choice but to escalate our industrial action beyond the five-day warning strike, in defence of the integrity and relevance of our Fellowship qualifications and professional contributions.”
The lecturers stated that it is troubling to advocate for a Vice-Chancellor who has not held significant roles, such as head of department or dean of faculty. Effective leadership requires proven experience in managing academic units.
The Senate warned that calling for President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to dissolve the council would be a last resort to avert serious consequences.
They urged the Committees of Vice Chancellors and Pro Chancellors to intervene promptly and review the discriminatory advertisement to ensure that clinical lecturers are included and equity in leadership selection is upheld.
