UNIZIK VC RACE: Plot to disqualify Prof Ikechebelu, others over MSC, PhD degrees thickens, MDCAN protests

By Our correspondent

The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Vice Chancellor race has taken a dramatic turn as Professor Joseph Ikechebelu, who served as Acting Vice Chancellor after Professor Charles Esimone’s tenure ended in June, may be disqualified from contesting for the substantive Vice Chancellor position.

Ikechebelu, a medical doctor, was previously removed from office in a dramatic fashion, with over three truckloads of security personnel, and replaced by Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi as Acting Vice Chancellor for six months.

The Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) revealed that Ikechebelu and other medical doctors may be excluded from the race due to certain criteria outlined in the advertisement for the VC position.

In the association’s statement, signed by Dr. Victor Modekwe and Dr. Sunday Oriji, Chairman and Secretary of MDCAN-NAUTH respectively, made available to journalists in Awka on Friday, MDCAN condemned the insertion of these criteria, which require applicants to possess a first degree, Master’s degree, and PhD, stating that they overlook the unique career progression of its members.

However, it was gathered that Ikechebelu recently obtained a PhD degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, potentially qualifying him for the VC position.

According to MDCAN, the academic pathway for clinical lecturers, both at UNIZIK and globally, includes a first degree (MBBS/BDS), Primary Fellowship Examination, Part I Fellowship Examination, and Part II/Final Fellowship Examination, culminating in a Medical Fellowship.

The association argued that the requirement for a PhD of 15 years, without acknowledging the equivalent postgraduate Medical Fellowship of 15 years, deviates from a similar advertisement for the position in 2019 and is detrimental to the medical profession in Nigeria.

MDCAN claimed that these requirements were designed to exclude qualified lecturers from the faculties of Medicine, Basic Clinical Sciences, and Basic Medical Sciences.

In a letter to the office of the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the Governing Council on August 2, MDCAN alleged a sinister plan to insert injurious requirements into the proposed advertisement for the VC position.

The association urged the university council to reconsider these requirements, stating that they are not only strange to Nnamdi Azikiwe University but to all universities in Nigeria.

MDCAN-UNIZIK unequivocally condemned the conditions outlined in the advertisement as unfair and called for its withdrawal within seven days to prevent a total shutdown of medical education sectors within the university.

If the advertisement is not withdrawn, MDCAN threatened to embark on indefinite industrial action, involving the withdrawal of all medical and clinical lecturers from academic functions.

The association called on the university council and all concerned Nigerians to avert this unnecessary situation and protect the university’s integrity.

MDCAN advocated for the subsequent advertisement to reflect the academic pathway of Medical/Clinical lecturers by including Post-Graduate Medical Fellowship wherever PhD is mentioned and excluding the Master’s degree requirement, in light of their longstanding educational pathway.

The controversy surrounding Ikechebelu’s eligibility and MDCAN’s demands threatens to disrupt the university’s integrity.

As the UNIZIK VC race unfolds, the outcome remains uncertain, leaving the academic community and stakeholders eagerly awaiting the university council’s response to MDCAN’s demands.