UNICAL Vice-Chancellor Opponent Threatens Legal Action after Alleged Unfair Selection Criteria

A contender for the position of Vice Chancellor in the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Professor Joseph Duke, has threatened legal action if the institution fails to review what he described as a discriminatory requirement.

Duke is opposing the criterion mandating 10 years of post-professorial experience for aspirants seeking to succeed the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi. In a letter dated June 17, 2025, addressed to the University’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with reference Unical/VC/2025/001, Duke demanded that the university place another advertisement in reputable newspapers, indicating equitable criteria.

The letter was also copied to the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Minister of Education, and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, decrying the alleged violation of statutory provisions. He alleged that the university’s management had a scheme to favour their preferred candidate over him and other contenders.

Speaking through his lawyer, Barrister Ubong Akpan, Duke called for the withdrawal of the earlier advertisement for the position of Vice Chancellor, which set 10 10-year criterion as a benchmark. Duke argued that withdrawing the advertisement would avoid possible discrimination under Sections 19, 42(1), and 14(3).

According to him, the violations undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s higher education governance and may set dangerous precedents for other federal universities if left unchecked. He disclosed that the university’s historical benchmark was 5-9 years of professorial experience, with national norms of 5-8 years among first-generation universities in the country.

“The 10-year criterion, adopted without a Senate and Council-approved statute under Section 10 of the Act or a proper resolution under first schedule, paragraph 4(2)(a)(i), exceeds the Council’s authority, as evidenced by member dissent,” he stated. The professor further accused the university of relying on unspecified federal directives that infringe on university autonomy, as outlined in Section 2(a) of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2003.

Similarly, I demand that the university management ensure criteria are applied equitably, avoiding discrimination under Section 19, Section 42(1), and Section 14(3). “Publish a new advertisement in a reputable newspaper, complying with first schedule, paragraph 4 of the 1999 constitution, and NUC guidelines,” the letter added.