Strike Looms As Unical, Uniuyo Medical Lecturers Reject 'phd-only' Vc Criteria
Clinical lecturers affiliated with the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have commenced an indefinite strike, protesting what they describe as their intentional exclusion from the ongoing Vice Chancellor (VC) selection process.
The MDCAN chapters at UNICAL and the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) argue that a recent job advertisement for the VC role, published on May 27, 2025, in The Daily Sun, unjustly mandates that applicants must possess a PhD. The group insists this requirement discriminates against clinical lecturers who hold Medical Fellowships—globally recognised terminal qualifications in the field of clinical academia.
In a formal petition addressed to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, MDCAN expressed deep disappointment, stating that the PhD-only criterion constitutes a “premeditated and intentional disenfranchisement” of qualified medical and dental professionals. They argue that the requirement contradicts Federal Ministry of Education guidelines, which advocate for inclusive recruitment policies for Vice Chancellors in federal universities.
MDCAN also cited similar controversies at other institutions, including Nnamdi Azikiwe University, where exclusionary selection processes led to unrest and eventually required intervention from the presidency. They pointed to inclusive practices adopted by institutions like Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Benin as models that uphold fairness and best practice.
Despite engagements with the Pro-Chancellor on June 3 and formal follow-ups on June 2 and 9, MDCAN said the Governing Council has neither responded nor amended the contested advert.
Following an emergency meeting held on June 13, the association declared a total and indefinite withdrawal of clinical services. A communiqué signed by Dr Patience Odusolu (Chairman) and Dr Ehiosun Aigbomian (Secretary) outlined their key demands:
Immediate withdrawal of the current advert
Re-publication of a revised, inclusive advert that recognises both PhD and Fellowship qualifications
Extension of the application deadline to allow equitable participation
Suspension of the current selection process pending these adjustments
The strike is expected to significantly impact academic activities at UNICAL’s College of Medical Sciences and clinical operations at the teaching hospital, where affected lecturers serve as both educators and consultants.
As of press time, the university administration had not officially responded to MDCAN’s demands or addressed the strike.
Meanwhile, at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), tension is also escalating. Clinical lecturers under MDCAN at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) have voiced similar grievances, alleging exclusion from the VC selection process due to the same PhD-only requirement.
In a petition to the newly appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, MDCAN condemned the selection criteria detailed in a May 29, 2025 vacancy notice. The letter, co-signed by Dr Ibiok Uendiah (Chairman) and Dr Solomon Bassey (Secretary), described the advertisement as deliberately crafted to sideline medical academics and favor a narrow pool of candidates.
The situation at UNIUYO is further complicated by a leadership vacuum. Major General Ike Nwachukwu (Rtd.), initially appointed Pro-Chancellor, reportedly declined the role, leaving Prof Hauwa Biu to temporarily chair the Governing Council and oversee the release of the controversial advert.
MDCAN maintains that medical professionals generally do not pursue PhDs, as their training involves rigorous postgraduate medical fellowships that span six to seven years and serve as terminal academic qualifications globally.
They also objected to other provisions in the advert—such as the requirement for ten scholarly publications within two years and a record of 20 years of uninterrupted teaching—arguing that these standards are unrealistic and inconsistent with ethical research practices and federal academic policies. The group contends that such stipulations penalise lecturers who have taken government-approved leave or international assignments.
The association drew parallels with the ongoing strike at UNICAL and recalled the crisis at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, warning of similar consequences if their concerns are not addressed.
UNIUYO’s MDCAN members are demanding:
Immediate withdrawal of the current advert
Issuance of an inclusive call for applications accommodating both PhD and Fellowship qualifications
Removal of impractical publication and uninterrupted teaching clauses
Assurance that all qualified professors, including clinical academics, are fairly considered
The Governing Council has been given until July 1, 2025, to act on these demands. Failure to comply, they warned, could trigger a complete shutdown of academic and medical activities.
As at the time of reporting, the Governing Council of the University of Uyo had not issued any official response.