Medical Association Takes Nnamdi Azikiwe University, NUC to Court Over VC Position Dispute

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) has been petitioned to issue a restraining order against Prof. Carol Umobi and any other individual from holding the office of Vice Chancellor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The lawsuit, initiated by the Incorporated Trustees of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) alongside Dr. Victor Modekwe, seeks to prevent the university, the National University Commission (NUC), and the Federal Ministry of Education from recognizing any individual as the duly elected Vice Chancellor.

In the case, marked NICN/ABJ/383/2024, the claimants argue that the university acted in a discriminatory manner against medical professionals in the process of appointing a new Vice Chancellor. A letter dated October 25, 2024, from their counsel, J.I. Ekeoma, urged the acting Vice Chancellor and university authorities to maintain the status quo in light of the ongoing legal proceedings.

The legal dispute stems from a September 12, 2024, newspaper advertisement by the university's council that outlined criteria perceived as excluding candidates from the faculties of Medicine and Basic Clinical Sciences. The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria expressed its concerns to various university officials and the NUC, challenging the exclusion of holders of the Medical Fellowship qualification.

The claimants contend that the Medical Fellowship should be considered equivalent to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) for the purpose of the Vice Chancellor selection process. Following a resolution passed during the university's Senate meeting on October 16, 2024, it was decided that future publications should reflect the inclusion of “Ph.D or its equivalent.”

Despite repeated demands for a correction, the university has continued with the selection process based on the original publication, prompting the claimants to seek judicial intervention. They are asking the court to declare the September 12, 2024, advertisement as discriminatory and unlawful, and to order its cancellation.

Additionally, the suit calls for the court to affirm Dr. Victor Modekwe's eligibility for the Vice Chancellor position based on his Medical Fellowship. The claimants warn that they will pursue contempt proceedings if the university disregards the pending lawsuit.

The court is being urged to rule that any Vice Chancellor appointment arising from the contentious advertisement would be null and void, thereby invalidating the ongoing selection process.