Alumni fault exclusion of clinical lecturers from contesting for UNIZIK’s VC position

Medical graduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, under the aegis of Unizik Medics Alumni Association (UMAA), have faulted the exclusion of clinical lecturers and other qualified candidates from contesting for the position of vice-chancellor of the university.

They argued that the mandatory requirement for a PhD and evidence of securing specific research funding is discriminatory and a breach of the University Act.

Briefing journalists on Monday in Abuja, President of the UNIZIK Medics Alumni Association, Prof Evaristus Afiadigwe, alleged that the newspaper advertisement for the position focused on minimum skills and personal achievements rather than the qualities specified by the University Act.

He observed that this effectively excludes clinical lecturers and other qualified candidates, undermining diversity in the institution’s leadership and without considering that medical fellowship surpasses PhD in academic standing.

Afiadigwe contended that the Governing Council’s modification of the selection criteria without proper statutory approval contradicts the university’s legal framework.

He said, “The advert stipulated a first degree, Master’s degree, and PhD as a mandatory requirement for candidates who want to apply for the position of Vice-Chancellor of NAU, when there is no such mandatory and limiting requirement in the NAU Act or NAU Statute jointly made by the Council and Senate.”

Afiadigwe pointed out that the advert ignored the fact that the clinical science lecturers of the university do not follow the PhD pathway stated above but instead follow the pathway of MBBS/BDS through Postgraduate Medical Fellowship.

He added: “This approach risks disenfranchising competent candidates, particularly from clinical fields, whose professional pathways differ. There is no evidence to show that the Visitor to the school approved these requirements. The Council did not, in the advert, specify the qualities of the persons who may apply for the post of Vice-Chancellor.”

Afiadigwe lamented that instead of specifying the qualities as statutorily required, the Council made a U-turn and listed the minimum skills and personal achievements of prospective candidates.

He added: “Neither the NAU Act nor any NAU Statute provides for personal achievements as requirements to be included in the advert for Vice-Chancellor. Neither the NAU Act and its three Schedules, nor any NAU Statute, empowered the Council to add achievements, Master’s or PhD as compulsory requirements in the advert for Vice-Chancellor.”

Afiadigwe called for the immediate withdrawal of the advertisement for the position of Vice-Chancellor of the university, citing breaches of the University Act and discriminatory requirements.

He said, “We urge the university authorities to withdraw the advertisement and release a revised version that reflects the qualities and requirements for the Vice-Chancellor position, devoid of discrimination.”

Afiadigwe observed that the call for action is not driven by personal interests but by a deep-seated desire to protect the integrity and excellence of their alma mater, and he called for a transparent and equitable selection process.

He also criticised the requirement that stipulated that candidates vying for the position must have attracted grants totaling 400 million, describing it as “unrealistic and unprecedented.”

“We urge the university authorities to withdraw the advertisement and release a revised version that reflects the qualities and requirements for the Vice-Chancellor position, devoid of discrimination. The association has written a letter to the governing council, but the council has not taken any significant step to address the issue,” Afiadigwe added.