MEDICAL FELLOWSHIPS HOLDERS ARE MORE THAN ELIGIBLE TO BE APPOINTED VICE CHANCELLORS: A RESPONSE OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ON THE INCITING DISCRIMINATING STATEMENT CREDITED TO DR. NASIR FAGGAE AGAINST HOLDERS OF MEDICAL FELLOWSHIPS

The attention of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has been drawn to the news media report credited to the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Nasir Faggae, calling for the discrimination of non-PhD degree holders from being appointed as Vice Chancellors in the nation’s universities. The statements read in parts, “The national president of ASUU threw his weight behind the ongoing struggle… urging the local congress of the union to insist that only those with PhD degree becoming the Vice Chancellor.”

The NMA considers this unwholesome affront by the President of ASUU as unfortunate, as the context borders on holders of post-graduate Medical Fellowships. While not joining issue with anyone as every citizen is entitled to an opinion, NMA wishes to condemn in strong terms, the open inciting nature and unveiled hatred leveled against the eminently qualified Nigerians whose eligibility to equally aspire to lead the Universities, has been proved beyond all reasonable doubt.

While advising ASUU to abide by the regulations and conventions in the education industry, NMA refers the entire public to the recommendation of the National Universities Commission (NUC) – the statutory regulatory body of University education in the country, that the fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) and its equivalent is a suitable alternative to PhDs in relation to appointment of Vice Chancellors.

For the purpose of education and enlightenment to those who do not know, it is worth stating the following:

The medical postgraduate fellowships far outweigh any PhD, both in content and context.

Entrance requirement into the University for the same people being maligned against demands comparatively higher JAMB cut off scores/points.

The Calendar year of study for MBBS is 11 Months, others 8 months.

Unlike the PhD, entrance into the fellowship programme is via a very competitive international common entrance selection process.

Whereas the contents of the medical postgraduate fellowship studies and training programmes require at least 6 years to complete, those of PhD need only 3 years on whole; a 100% difference.medicalworldnigeria.com

The credit units for fellowship have been calculated by authorities in education metrics and curriculum studies and have been adjudged to be at least thrice (3x) that of PhD

The Association is most appalled that at such a time as now when every hand should be on the deck to drive the nation’s university systems from the present doldrums to international standards, Faggae chose to play over the nation’s intelligence by inciting and attempting to use the platform of divide and rule tactics to achieve anticipated cheap popularity. While describing these feeble antics mischievous but laughable, NMA wonders why this clamour to discriminate against Medical Professors is resurfacing at a time as now, despite the efforts the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) made at educating the leaders of ASUU following the crises the same issue generated at the University of Jos few years ago.

Faggae further incited the congress of the ASUU to insist that only those with PhD degree become the Vice Chancellor, as according to him ‘’you cannot preside over the award of a PhD degree that you do not possess yourself.’’ This nude demonstration of ignorance is most unfortunate. Perhaps at this juncture, Faggae needs to be told and perhaps appreciate that the Vice Chancellors with Medical background (holders of medical postgraduate fellowships) have comparatively demonstrated impeccable and track record efficiency, capability and meritorious achievements in University governance in the country. University of Ibadan (which awards the highest number of PhDs in the country), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, etc, are a few handy references.

Perhaps, it is pertinent here to invite Mr. Faggea and his cronies to consider taking over the job of teaching medical students in the nation’s universities since, “only those in possession of Master’s degree and PhD should be allowed to teach in Nigerian universities.”

Finally, the NMA strongly admonishes Dr. Faggae to stop his antics and desist from further embarrassing ASUU and the entire Nigerian academic community. The NMA wishes to restate her commitment to partnering with all progressive organizations and agencies, as well as liberated minds, towards finding lasting solutions to the deep-rooted challenges confronting the education sector in the country today.medicalworldnigeria.com

Its our considered opinion that rather than dissipating energy needlessly on frivolities, ASUU under the leadership of Faggae should seek to partner with the Federal Government in her resolve to reposition the nation’s universities with the view to improving the present poor indices in the education sector in this era of change in the country.

(Signed):

DR. Kayode OBEMBE

NMA President