By Israel Adamu, Jos
The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has expressed concerns over the exclusion of Medical and Dental lecturers from the recent advert for the selection process of the vacant office of the Vice Chancellor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State.
In a statement issued to newsmen in Jos, MDCAN warned that this exclusion is not only unjust but also undermines the critical role these professionals play in the academic and administrative leadership of the institution.
The statement, jointly signed by MDCAN President Prof. Mohammad Aminu and Secretary Prof. Daiyabu Ibrahim, emphasized that Medical and Dental education is a vital part of the university’s mission to produce competent healthcare professionals who contribute to national and global health systems.
According to the duo, it is imperative that Medical and Dental lecturers are adequately represented in matters concerning the governance and future of the institution. They pointed out that excluding distinguished scholars and administrators with vast experience in both academic and clinical fields sends a message that their contributions to the university’s growth and development are undervalued.
“Such a move could lead to a breakdown in academic collaboration, reduce morale among members, and ultimately affect the quality of Medical and Dental education at UNIZIK,” they stated.
The association called on the Governing Council of UNIZIK and other relevant stakeholders to withdraw the earlier advert for the selection of the Vice Chancellor and ensure that all academic disciplines, particularly Medical and Dental lecturers, are well represented.
MDCAN further explained that this call is in the best interest of maintaining the university’s status as a center of excellence in Medical and Dental education and ensuring a balanced and inclusive leadership selection process.
The association reiterated its commitment to supporting academic excellence and leadership in Nigerian universities and urged for a swift resolution to the impasse. They stressed that MDCAN is monitoring the situation at UNIZIK and hopes it will not escalate into a national crisis.
It is worth noting that MDCAN serves as the umbrella body for all Medical and Dental Consultants working in government hospitals and universities, providing specialized medical and dental services. They are the primary educators of undergraduate Medical and Dental students across various Colleges of Medicine (or Colleges of Health Sciences) in Nigeria, teaching in the fields of Basic Clinical Sciences and Dentistry. Graduates are awarded MBBS, MBBCh, or BDS degrees.
Additionally, Medical and Dental doctors are responsible for the postgraduate training of Resident Doctors specializing in various fields of Medicine and Dentistry, culminating in the award of fellowships by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) or its equivalents from the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons (WACP/WACS) and other postgraduate Medical and Dental programs worldwide.
