 have commenced an indefinite withdrawal of their academic services in protest){kind=link}
Clinical lecturers at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have commenced an indefinite withdrawal of their academic services in protest against their exclusion from the ongoing selection process for the university’s next Vice Chancellor.
The decision, formally conveyed in a letter dated June 13, 2025, was made under the banner of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), University of Calabar Teaching Hospital chapter.
The letter, signed by MDCAN Chairman Dr. Patience Odusolu and Secretary Dr. Ehiosun Aigbomian, was addressed to the Vice Chancellor and copied to several education authorities, including the Minister of Education, the National Assembly Education Committees, and professional medical bodies.
The lecturers claim they have been unjustly barred from contesting for the top job due to a vacancy advertisement published in a national newspaper on May 27, 2025. According to MDCAN, the advert effectively disqualifies clinical academics by mandating criteria that exclude those without a PhD.
Clinical lecturers typically possess postgraduate medical fellowships, which involve six to seven years of specialist training and are recognized by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Federal Ministry of Education.
MDCAN had earlier submitted petitions to the University Governing Council on June 2 and June 9, demanding the retraction of the advert and its replacement with a more inclusive notice.
The failure of the Council to respond prompted the lecturers to embark on an indefinite strike. They also called for the suspension of the current selection process, the publication of a revised advert that allows fellowship holders to apply, and an extension of the application deadline to ensure fair participation.
“The silence from the Council violates our fundamental rights to aspire to leadership positions,” the group stated, highlighting that the delay had already consumed half of the six-week application window, thereby denying qualified clinical lecturers the opportunity to apply.
The strike at UNICAL is mirrored by rising tensions at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), where the MDCAN chapter similarly opposed a vacancy announcement issued on May 29.
The UNIUYO advert also requires a PhD, alongside a minimum of ten scholarly publications within the past two years and 20 years of uninterrupted teaching experience—conditions MDCAN described as excessive, unrealistic, and punitive, especially for clinicians who may have taken research leave, sabbaticals, or secondments.
In their letter, signed by Dr. Ibiok Usendiah (Chairman) and Dr. Solomon Bassey (Secretary), the UNIUYO branch issued a two-week ultimatum expiring July 1, 2025, warning that failure to address their concerns would lead to the resumption of suspended industrial action.
MDCAN also raised concerns over irregularities in UNIUYO’s selection process, noting that the originally designated Pro-Chancellor, Major General Ike Nwachukwu (Rtd.), declined to oversee the proceedings. In his absence, Prof. Hauwa Biu served as Acting Chairperson and supervised the release of the controversial advert.
The association expressed fears that these developments reflect a wider trend of systematic exclusion of medical academics across several institutions. They cited similar controversies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University that reportedly led to national unrest and presidential intervention, while commending universities like Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Benin for adopting more inclusive policies.
The letter also warned that continued marginalisation could fuel calls for the separation of Colleges of Health Sciences from traditional universities to create autonomous Universities of Health Sciences with clinical academics at the helm.
They referenced the emergence of the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) as a response to what they see as ASUU’s failure to protect the interests of medical lecturers.
MDCAN concluded by appealing to the authorities to act within two weeks to reverse what they called “discriminatory policies.” The association stated it would reconvene on July 1, 2025, to assess progress and determine further action.
“If these injustices are not addressed, we cannot guarantee industrial peace. Our suspended strike, brokered by the Nigerian Medical Association, remains in force and may be fully reactivated,” the letter warned.