Clinical lecturers at the University of Calabar, operating under the aegis of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), have commenced an indefinite strike, demanding a more inclusive advertisement for the institution’s Vice Chancellor position. The lecturers are protesting what they describe as their deliberate exclusion from the ongoing selection process for the university's top leadership role.

The industrial action stems from the University Governing Council’s alleged refusal to amend a job advertisement that the clinical faculty claims is discriminatory against them. A memo, dated June 13, 2025, and addressed to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, formally notified the university management of the "withdrawal of services."

Signed by MDCAN Chairman, Dr. Patience Odusolu, and Secretary, Dr. Ehiosun Aigbomian, the memo highlights the association’s growing frustration over the perceived lack of response to their concerns. Despite multiple engagements with the Vice Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellor, and the Governing Council, their grievances reportedly remain unaddressed.

The MDCAN's memo explicitly states that the clinical lecturers view the "resounding inaction and sustenance of the unjust advertorial as a breach of their fundamental rights to equitably aspire for the post of Vice Chancellor of the institution." They point out that the advert, published on May 27, 2025, for a six-week period, has already disenfranchised their members for three weeks.

The striking lecturers have laid out clear demands:

  • Immediate withdrawal of the discriminatory advert for the Vice Chancellor position.
  • Re-publication of an inclusive advertorial that ensures all qualified clinical faculty can apply.
  • Immediate suspension of the ongoing selection process for the Vice Chancellor post until the inclusive advert is published.
  • Extension of the timeline for the submission of applications to accommodate all interested candidates, particularly those previously excluded.

The memo concludes with a strong message: "In view of the prevailing circumstances and non-response from the Governing Council of the University of Calabar to our earlier legitimate demand of an inclusive advertorial for the position of Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, the Clinical lecturers of the University of Calabar hereby notify the University Management of the immediate commencement of a total and indefinite withdrawal of our services and activities from the University of Calabar until our demands for the withdrawal of the discriminatory advert and re-publication of an inclusive advertorial [are met]."

The association insists that unless these conditions are met, their "total and indefinite withdrawal of services" from the University of Calabar will continue, potentially impacting medical education and clinical services within the institution.