The Executive Council of the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), University of Benin (UNIBEN) Branch, led by its Chairman, Professor Alphonsus Isara, paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin. The visit aimed to foster collaboration, address critical academic concerns, and seek the Vice-Chancellor’s intervention in key institutional matters.
The delegation’s objectives included:
- Congratulating the Vice-Chancellor on his recent appointment and extending best wishes for a successful and impactful tenure.
- Advocating for the regulation of the medical school calendar to ensure a structured, predictable, and efficient academic schedule in line with national and international standards.
- Appealing for the reinstatement of salaries for medical professors whose payments were abruptly stopped in January 2025 upon reaching 65 years of age, despite the statutory retirement age for medical academics being 70 years. Key Discussions
During the meeting, the NAMDA leadership highlighted the following:
- Medical School Calendar Reforms: The association stressed the need for a harmonized academic calendar to minimize disruptions in medical training, ensuring UNIBEN remains competitive with peer institutions.
- Retirement Age and Salary Concerns: The premature stoppage of salaries for senior medical professors at 65—rather than the legally recognized retirement age of 70—was identified as a critical issue. NAMDA emphasized that this policy not only undermines workforce morale but also deprives students of experienced mentors, potentially affecting the quality of medical education. Vice-Chancellor’s Response
The Vice-Chancellor, warmly received the delegation and expressed gratitude for their visit and goodwill message. In his response:
- He acknowledged the importance of a streamlined academic calendar and assured NAMDA of his administration’s commitment to reviewing and improving scheduling processes.
- On the salary stoppage issue, he expressed deep concern and pledged to engage relevant stakeholders, including the university’s HR and bursary departments, to ensure compliance with the statutory retirement age of 70 for medical professors. Conclusion
The meeting concluded on a cordial and productive note, with both parties agreeing to maintain open communication for further deliberations. NAMDA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the university’s leadership in advancing medical and dental education at UNIBEN, while the Vice-Chancellor assured the association of his willingness to address their concerns promptly.
