By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

There are indications that Medical students at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU or UNIZIK) in Anambra State may embark on a mega protest following academic disruptions and graduation delays.

This is coming on the heels of an ongoing strike by members of the Medical and Dental Consultants? Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) at the school over Vice Chancellorship contest.

MDCAN embarked on the strike on September 24, 2024, to protest the governing council?s decision to include requirements that allegedly disqualify medical and dental lecturers from contesting the university?s vice-chancellor position.

The association claims these requirements contain discrepancies and discriminatory contents.

Some students, who spoke with our correspondent, said their studies and examinations to progress to the next academic level have been stalled due to the ongoing strike.

The students urged the university and MDCAN to prioritize their education, even as they also called for a swift end to the strike.

According to the President of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Medical Students Association, Emmanuel Ikefuna, stated that exams for 500 and 600-level students have been stalled, preventing them from progressing to the next class and graduating due to the strike.

He said: "We are planning on staging a mega protest at the main campus in Awka because learning activities are being cut short. Though we don?t have a date fixed for that yet; we had actually protested in Nnewi on October 3rd, but we are now planning a mega protest in Awka.

?When students go to the hospital to learn, they get chased away from the clinics and the ward.

?The final year students were supposed to start their exams to graduate immediately, but the strike has stalled the whole thing, and this is adding to the fact that medical students have stayed so long in school because after the strike, not even an hour was removed from our calendar.

?We had an extra one year plus, everybody had extra 16 months. There is nobody in this school that is our mate, because whenever they call off a strike, they finish immediately, but not for medical schools. So, this is the problem we?ve been facing.?

On her part, Sarah, another medical student of the institution ?We?ve invested so much time and effort preparing for our exams, and now everything is just on hold.

?It?s incredibly disheartening because our future is left hanging in the balance. We just want to return to our classes and continue our education without this uncertainty hanging over us,? she stated

While expressing deep frustration over the situation, a final-year medical student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: ?This strike has thrown our entire future into limbo. We?ve spent years studying and preparing for our exams, which are crucial for us to graduate and start our careers.

?The strike has disrupted our final preparations. After countless hours of studying and hands-on training, it?s heartbreaking to see our exams put on hold, and it?s frustrating.?

On his part, the Chairman of MDCAN at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Dr. Victor Modekwe, said the strike is for the good of students: ?If we arrive at the conclusion with the council, school starts.

?Like we said, a terrible injustice is being done to the medical profession; students also will suffer because if they graduate and if we allow this to happen, then their future is bleak and the future of medical education in Nigeria is bleak.?

MDCAN further alleged a deliberate plot to exclude their members from the ongoing vice-chancellor race, citing an advert requiring a PhD. They argue that their medical fellowship is equivalent to a PhD.

In response, Unizik management called on MDCAN to approach the Nigeria University Commission (NUC) to ascertain if medical fellowship is equivalent to a PhD.

The Special Adviser to Vice Chancellor on Public Relations, Emma Ojukwu, said: ?The Governing Council insists that if NUC writes to confirm medical fellowship as equivalent to PhD, it will be considered for the purpose of appointing the substantive Vice-Chancellor.?

?The Council restates its commitment to creating a level playing ground for all staff to aspire to any position, including the office of the Vice-Chancellor.?

?The authorities assure all staff of inclusion and urge MDCAN to resume work in the interest of the students, promising to resolve the contending issue amicably.?