Clinical lecturers at the University of Calabar have returned to work following the resolution of a dispute over eligibility requirements in the ongoing search for a new Vice-Chancellor.
The lecturers, under the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), had embarked on an indefinite strike on June 13. They protested the university’s advertisement for the Vice-Chancellor position, which required applicants to possess a PhD—effectively excluding qualified medical professionals whose academic training follows a fellowship route.
In a memo issued at the onset of the strike, MDCAN’s UNICAL chapter, led by Dr. Patience Odusolu and Dr. Ehiosun Aigbomian, demanded that the university withdraw the initial notice and reissue it to include fellowship qualifications as acceptable criteria. The union argued that the original job posting undermined the career progression and rights of clinical academics.
National President of MDCAN, Prof. Muhammad Muhammad, confirmed on Monday that the strike had been suspended. He credited the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for brokering a resolution between the union and the university’s governing council.
“In medicine, academic progression doesn’t follow the traditional PhD path. Our training is through a rigorous residency program culminating in a fellowship, which qualifies individuals for consultancy roles in hospitals and academic positions in universities,” Prof. Muhammad explained.
He further noted that several past Vice-Chancellors across Nigerian universities have held fellowships rather than PhDs and have served with distinction.
The Ministry of Education, he said, reminded the university of federal guidelines, which accommodate both academic and professional pathways in leadership appointments. Following the ministry’s intervention, the University of Calabar issued an addendum to the original advertisement, stating that both PhD holders and fellowship-qualified individuals are now eligible to apply.
“This resolution aligns with fairness and acknowledges the unique structure of medical education. Our members have resumed their duties accordingly,” Prof. Muhammad added.
The development is expected to restore normalcy at the institution and re-open the field of contenders in the ongoing selection process for a new Vice-Chancellor.