UNIZIK Medical School Shutdown As Lecturers Protest Exclusion From Vice-Chancellor Race
The medical school of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Nnewi Campus, which includes the faculties of Medicine and Basic Clinical Sciences, has been non-operational for 12 days due to a strike by clinical lecturers. These lecturers, who are members of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), have withdrawn their services to protest their exclusion from the ongoing selection process for the position of Vice-Chancellor at the university.
The Secretary of MDCAN, Dr. Sunday Oriji, speaking to journalists in Nnewi on Tuesday, stated that the lecturers are protesting an advertisement from the university’s management that outlined the requirements for the vice-chancellorship position. The advertisement listed specific qualifications, including a first degree, a Master’s degree, and a PhD, which exclude medical professors from being eligible. Oriji noted that this move deviated from past practices and deliberately disqualified members of the faculties of Medicine and Basic Clinical Sciences.
According to Dr. Oriji, the clinical lecturers will continue their strike until the university’s management rectifies the issue. He expressed confidence in the acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umeobi, a seasoned lawyer, to take the necessary steps. “We duly notified them of our moves before we embarked on the strike, and we believe the management will do what is right,” he said.
The MDCAN had initially given the university a seven-day ultimatum to address their concerns, but after receiving no favorable response, they proceeded with the strike. The withdrawal of services has severely impacted the training and teaching of undergraduate medical students in clinics and classrooms, causing a major disruption in the medical school.
The strike has now lasted nearly two weeks, and there are no signs of a resolution in sight as the university’s management has yet to respond to the demands of the clinical lecturers. The ongoing crisis has raised concerns about the future of medical education at the institution.
