- …the association expressed its disillusionment at the decision of the State Governor to order for a fresh selection process despite this process having been duly completed twice.
The Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has registered its displeasure at the manner in which the State Government has handled the ongoing Vice Chancellorship crisis at the Lagos State University, Ojo.
Recall that on January 8, 2021, Lagos State Governor and Visitor to Lagos State University, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had quashed the process set up for the appointment of a substantive ninth Vice-Chancellor of the University.
Sanwo-Olu’s intervention came on the heels of petitions by some quarters of the University, particularly the Academic Staff Union of Universities (LASU Chapter), who alleged that the process was marred by irregularities.
On Saturday, February 27th, 2021, the Governing Council of Lagos State University (LASU), announced that it has shortlisted nine professors considered eligible to succeed the vacant Vice Chancellorship of the institution.
After a rigorous interview process that saw the shortlisted candidates write a computer-based test, three professors emerged as the final contenders for the University’s apex seat of power. The shortlisted professors were, Prof. Olumuyiwa O. Odusanya, Prof. Mohammed T. Ibrahim and Prof. Abiodun O. Adewuya.
However, the confirmation of the University’s new Vice-Chancellor was subjected to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s ratification, which has since not been given.
In a statement signed by Dr. Adetunji Adenekan, Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, the association expressed its disillusionment at the decision of the State Governor to order for a fresh selection process despite this process having been duly completed twice.
The statement reads in part: “Following the expiration of the tenure of the former Vice-Chancellor, the Governing Council of the University advertised vacancy of the office of the Vice-Chancellor of LASU. Eligible academics from within and outside of LASU applied for the position, including some bonafide professors in the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM). The process of appointment of the University Vice-Chancellor, which often terminates at the university level with the selection of the three adjudged best candidates by the University Joint Senate and Council Selection Committee for consideration of the University Visitor (the State Governor), was completed twice. On each occasion, the University Council had presented names to the Governor for final selection of the Vice-Chancellor, but the Governor had ordered fresh selection process each time. The excuse that was given each time the process was scuttled at the last lap on the Governor’s table has always been some petitions from certain quarters within the University.”
The association noted with regret that, each time this process had been completed, at least one clinical professor had made it to the final three submitted to the Governor for consideration. As a matter of fact, during the second attempt at selecting the new VC, all three professors selected by the selection committee were medical doctors and professors of different areas of Clinical Medicine.
The NMA said that news of the cancellation of the process came to them as a “rude shock” and that they are unable to dismiss the well known public insinuations that the process is being hijacked by external political forces and that the interest of these political forces is to impose a Vice-Chancellor on LASU and to prevent medical doctors who are professors of clinical medicine from emerging as Vice-Chancellor in LASU as part of a larger conspiracy.
The association prayed the State Government to act swiftly, in the interest of the prestigious institution, and apply merit and extant laws otherwise it may be jolted to use any lawful legal means to prevent the disenfranchisement of any qualified person including medical doctors with fellowship.
They appreciated the effort of all stakeholders who have warned against discrimination against medical doctors in the process for the good of LASU retaining its role as a world-class institution.
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