OAU Recruitment Shocker: Varsity Advertises Vacancy for Chief Consultant Herbalist, Others Top Positions
OAU Recruitment Shocker: Varsity Advertises Vacancy for Chief Consultant Herbalist
Ile-Ife, Osun State – June 11, 2025 — In a surprising twist that has stirred conversations across academic and health circles, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has included the position of “Chief Consultant Herbalist” in its latest recruitment advertisement.
The announcement, which lists over 30 academic and non-academic vacancies, has caught the attention of many due to the unusual nature of the role within a federal university system.
Eagles Sight News reports that Item 31 of the job listing, which appears under the non-academic positions, states:
“Chief Consultant Herbalist (CONTISS 06): A candidate with ND with Certified Membership of Medical Herbalist.”
The specification suggests that OAU is actively seeking professionals trained in traditional medicine, as long as they hold a National Diploma and certified membership of a recognized herbalist body.
This development has sparked curiosity and debates on social media, with many Nigerians expressing both surprise and intrigue over what it could mean for the future of traditional medicine in formal education and institutional healthcare.
“This is the first time I’m seeing such a post in a federal university job listing,” said Dapo, a musicologist and analyst.
‘It may be a sign of the university recognizing the value of indigenous knowledge systems, or perhaps they are expanding their research into traditional medicine.” Obayomi said
Others see it as a bold and commendable move. “With Nigeria’s rich heritage in herbal remedies and natural medicine, it’s only logical for our universities to start integrating and professionalizing this knowledge,” noted Professor Grace Afolabi, an expert in ethnobotany.
The position comes alongside several others including Technologist, ICT Officer, Laboratory Assistant, and Mortuary Assistant, as part of a broad recruitment drive that OAU says is aimed at strengthening its academic and research infrastructure.
As of press time, OAU has not released an official statement explaining the purpose or department under which the herbalist will operate. However, it is believed that the role could be tied to the university’s College of Health Sciences or a research unit focused on alternative medicine.
With increasing global interest in traditional and complementary medicine, this move may signal a shift in how Nigerian institutions approach the integration of ancestral knowledge into modern systems of learning and healthcare.
See Item 31:
Her is the full list:
Apply Here:
METHOD OF APPLICATION
OAU Job Application Website:https://apply.oauife.edu.ng