On September 17th, 2024, the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) requested the withdrawal of a job advert for the position of Vice-Chancellor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka.
In a letter addressed to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, MDCAN expressed their disapproval of the advert, which they claim excludes qualified candidates from the medical and clinical faculties.
MDCAN, which represents medical and dental specialists and lecturers, noted that they had previously written to the council on August 2nd, 2024, to warn against adding “injurious” requirements in the advert. The group argued that the conditions for applying, such as requiring a PhD and excluding medical fellowships, unfairly block clinical lecturers from applying.
The group expressed shock after seeing the advert, published in the *Vanguard* on September 12th, 2024, which they claimed was authorized by the Pro-Chancellor and signed by the Registrar. MDCAN labeled the advert as “unprecedented and unacceptable” and claimed it maliciously excludes their members from the Faculties of Medicine and Basic Clinical Sciences.
The association held an emergency meeting on September 14th and made several observations, including that the advert requires applicants to have a PhD, without considering the medical fellowship path. They also objected to the advert mentioning a requirement of securing a grant of N400 million, calling it a strange condition.
MDCAN outlined the following resolutions:
1. The association rejects the advert and demands it be withdrawn.
2. The next advert should recognize the academic pathway of medical/clinical lecturers by including the Post-Graduate Medical Fellowship instead of a PhD and excluding the Master’s degree requirement.
3. If the advert is not withdrawn within seven days, MDCAN will begin an indefinite industrial action, halting all academic activities in the medical school.
They concluded by urging the university to avoid such a situation and maintain harmony.
The letter was signed by Dr. VI Modekwe, Chairman, and Dr. SO Oriji, Secretary, with copies sent to various government officials and university leaders.
