Medical lecturers at the University of Uyo, under the aegis of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital chapter, have commenced an indefinite strike following a dispute over the criteria for the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor.
According to a statement made available to our correspondent in Uyo on Sunday, the industrial action began at midnight on Thursday, 26th June 2025, following resolutions reached during an Extraordinary General Meeting held between Friday, 20th and Wednesday, 25th June.
“Please kindly note that in line with the resolutions of our Extraordinary General Meeting held between Friday 20th and Wednesday 25th of June 2025, an indefinite strike has been declared by MDCAN UUTH beginning from 12 am of Thursday 26th of June 2025.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the strike began about 12 minutes ago,” the association said.
They further clarified that the strike is total and initially affects all academic activities carried out by clinical lecturers at the university.
“The strike, which is total, will initially involve all activities of clinical lecturers with the University of Uyo.
“These activities include classroom lectures, seminar presentations, teaching rounds, practicals, symposia, research supervision as well as the conduct of tests and examinations,” the statement noted.
The protest stems from the alleged exclusion of medical academics from the application process for the Vice-Chancellorship, as advertised by the institution.
The current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nyaudo Ndaeyo, is expected to complete his tenure in December.
In a letter dated 25th June 2025 and addressed to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr Muiz Banire (SAN), the lecturers expressed their displeasure over what they described as a dismissive response to their call for a fair process.
“If anybody feels it is ambiguous, let him go back to school. It is clear enough for our purpose and whoever is desirous should go and apply,” the pro-chancellor had reportedly said in response to their concerns.
The letter, titled “Notice of Withdrawal of Service”, was signed by the association’s Chairman, Dr Ibiok Usendiah, and Secretary, Dr Solomon Bassey.
It was also copied to the Minister of Education, the Minister of Health, the Minister of State for Education, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, and several other relevant authorities.
The association said, “We had pursued alternative measures of resolution of these issues when the addendum was received and had sent an email to you to use your good offices to rectify the addendum.
“We were however rather shocked to receive your reply to what was a civil plea from our association for you to do the right thing.”
They expressed dismay at the tone of the pro-chancellor’s response.
“We are understandably mortified at the presumption that we, an association of medical doctors in academics and at the highest level of our professional practice, could be labeled as unschooled.
“We believe that this is rather unbecoming of a highly-placed individual as yourself being a practising lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria! This is a highly demeaning and unwarranted insult.”
The association outlined its conditions for ending the strike, demanding public correction and an apology from the pro-chancellor.
“The association demanded the following before the strike can be called off: That a rejoinder be published in a minimum of two national dailies with immediate effect stating clearly that the Postgraduate Medical Fellowship will be accepted in place of the PhD for Professors in Clinical Medicine.
“We would also request that this be entered into the official proceedings of the Governing Council of the University for posterity’s sake.
“That you tender a written and signed full and unreserved apology to the members of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria for the insult contained in your email reply to the association’s request for a modification of the addendum published by the university,” the statement concluded.
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