By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
A dispute between the University of Calabar and clinical lecturers has been resolved, ending an indefinite strike.
The lecturers, represented by the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), protested the University’s Vice Chancellor selection process, stating discriminatory criteria that excluded medical fellowship holders.
The lecturers argued that the University’s requirement for a PhD for the Vice Chancellor position was unfair, as clinical medicine follows a different academic pathway. Prof. Muhammad Muhammad, MDCAN National President said, “In clinical medicine, we don’t follow the conventional Master’s/PhD route. Our training is through a residency programme, which is both academic and clinical, lasting six to eight years and culminating in the award of a fellowship.”
After intervention by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the University issued an addendum to the initial advertisement, allowing applicants with either a PhD or a recognised medical fellowship to apply for the Vice Chancellor position.
With the dispute resolved, MDCAN members at the University of Calabar have resumed work. Prof. Muhammad confirmed that the issue has been settled, and the lecturers can now focus on their academic duties.
