UNICAL clinical lecturers begin indefinite strike over VC selection

Clinical lecturers at the University of Calabar, UNICAL, have commenced an indefinite strike in protest against what they describe as discriminatory requirements in the ongoing selection process for a new Vice Chancellor.

The strike, led by the University of Calabar and University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, chapter of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, is centred on a recent vacancy advertisement which stipulates that candidates must hold a PhD to qualify for the position.

MDCAN argues that the PhD-only requirement effectively excludes medical academics, most of whom possess the Fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College, a globally recognised terminal qualification for clinical academic staff.

In a letter dated June 13 and addressed to the current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, MDCAN notified UNICAL management of the indefinite withdrawal of services. The letter, signed by MDCAN Chairperson Dr. Patience Odusolu and Secretary Dr. Ehiosun Aigbomian, expressed disappointment over the governing council’s failure to address their concerns despite repeated petitions and meetings.

“Our members have suffered disenfranchisement for up to three weeks already,” the letter noted, adding that formal memos dated June 2 and 9, as well as a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor on June 3, had yielded no positive response.

MDCAN is demanding:

• The immediate withdrawal of the current advertisement,

• A new inclusive advert that recognises both PhD and Fellowship qualifications,

• An extension of the application deadline, and

• Suspension of the selection process pending the release of a revised advert.

The association insists that the current advert contravenes federal guidelines on inclusive academic recruitment, and cited institutions such as Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Benin, which recognise both academic and clinical qualification routes in similar recruitment exercises.