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The UMAA said that it had identified significant legal and procedural discrepancies in the advertisement that warranted immediate attention and action.
The Medics Alumni Association (UMAA), of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Anambra State, has demanded immediate withdrawal and review of the Vice Chancellor position advertisement published by the governing council of the university.
On Monday it was reported that the advertisement has led to an ongoing indefinite strike embarked upon by the clinical lecturers of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi.
The UMAA said that it had identified significant legal and procedural discrepancies in the advertisement that warranted immediate attention and action.
The Association made the demand in a statement signed by its executives including the National President, Prof. Evaristus Afiadigwe; the National Secretary, Dr. Richard O. Egeonu; Dr. Chinenye Ekpeh, representing International Alumni for UNIZIK Medics Alumni Association Worldwide, and Prof Chukwudi Okani, Chairman, Tech Committee on the NAU VC Advert.
SaharaReporters had reported that medical students of NAUTH, particularly those in final year, might not be able to graduate this year following a sustained indefinite strike embarked upon by the clinical lecturers of the institution.
Sources from NAUTH told SaharaReporters on Monday that the indefinite strike started on September 25, 2024, following the Vice Chancellorship tussle between medical and clinical lecturers at the institution and the university’s governing council.
One of the sources said that the governing council included a requirement that disqualified them from contesting for the UNIZIK’s Vice-Chancellor position.
According to the source, one of the 11 requirements listed by the governing council in the advert published on September 12, where the announcement for the vacancy for the office of the institution’s Vice Chancellor, is that contestants must “have obtained a PhD at least 15 years prior to this advertisement and have supervised postgraduate students to completion.”
The clinical lecturers who are not comfortable with the requirement which they said was intentionally targeted at disqualifying them from contesting for the Vice-Chancellor position protested against the requirement but said the university management failed to attend to their complaint.
Following the disagreement, the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) in a letter dated September 17, 2025, and addressed to the Pro-chancellor/Chairman of Governing Council of the university, requested for withdrawal of the advert.
Reacting to the controversy, the Medics Alumni Association said that it observed legal violations in the advertisement, saying, “The advertisement contravenes multiple provisions of the NAU Act 1992 and its subsequent amendments, specifically regarding the proper procedure for advertising the Vice-Chancellor position.
“Notably, the Council is mandated to specify the qualities of candidates but instead has erroneously focused on minimum skills and personal achievements, which are not supported by law.”
The UMAA further stated that it observed discriminatory requirements in the advertisement, noting, “The stipulation of possessing a PhD, along with mandatory personal achievements, raises concerns about the exclusionary nature of the requirements, particularly towards clinical lecturers whose pathways differ.”
According to the Association, “This approach risks disenfranchising qualified candidates and undermines the diversity of leadership within the university.”
Other anomalies the Association noted include excessive pre-Conditions where it said, “The advertisement introduces undue preconditions, such as the necessity for candidates to have secured specific research funding, which is unprecedented and appears to skew the selection process toward a narrow field of applicants.
“Lack of Statutory Authority: The Council’s actions in modifying the requirements without the necessary approvals contravene established statutes, leading to a call for a legally compliant advertisement that aligns with NAU’s governing statutes.
“Stakeholder Concerns: The dissatisfaction expressed by the clinical faculty, including the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), reflects broader discontent that may impact the university’s operations.”
The UMAA therefore stressed that the ongoing strike was avoidable and constitutes a significant morale issue among faculty members, necessitating prompt rectification to avoid further disruption.
The UMAA therefore called for: “The immediate withdrawal of the current advertisement.
“The release of a new advertisement that accurately reflects the qualities required for the Vice-Chancellor position, devoid of non-statutory prerequisites.
“A review of the Council’s authority in setting candidate requirements, emphasising fairness and inclusivity.
“Assurance that any future advertisements or statutes developed will not exclude qualified medical professionals or impose unjust limitations.”
It noted that it advocated for a transparent and equitable selection process, emphasising that the focus should remain on the meritocratic evaluation of candidates based on their qualifications and experience.
