The Silent Crisis: Why Unemployed Ph.D. Holders in Cameroon Are Taking to the Streets

Nkengacha M.A.
Feb 13
6 min read

Updated: Feb 14

A nation's strength lies in its intellectual capital. Ph.D. holders represent the peak of academic achievement, serving as the bedrock for research, innovation, and policy formulation. In an ideal system, they should be driving industrialization, technological advancement, and socio-economic development. Unfortunately, in Cameroon, many Ph.D. holders are left without employment, forced to march in protest rather than contribute meaningfully to national progress.

Click here for full letter in English

To: The Prefect of the Mfoundi Division, Yaoundé

Subject: Declaration of a Peaceful March to Request an Additional List Following the Publication of the Results of the Second Phase of the Special Recruitment of Lecturers in the New State Universities of Cameroon

Dear Mr. Prefect,

Following the press release No. 001/SG/PM of February 4, 2025, announcing the results of the second phase of the special recruitment of Assistant Lecturers in the State Universities of Bertoua, Ebolowa, and Garoua, as broadcasted on CRTV National Radio at 1:00 PM on February 4, 2025, we, holders of a Ph.D. across the national territory of Cameroon and grouped under the Collective of Unemployed Ph.D. Holders in Cameroon, wish to bring to your attention our declaration of a peaceful march.

This march aims to demand an additional recruitment of candidates—specifically, unemployed Ph.D. holders—who were unfairly excluded from the final results of the recently concluded recruitment process.

We have carefully reviewed the published results and identified inconsistencies that deeply concern us. First, there is a mismatch between the profiles of some selected candidates and the advertised positions, indicating favoritism, injustice, and a blatant disregard for meritocracy. Second, civil servants were recruited instead of unemployed Ph.D. holders, thereby violating the high instructions of the Head of State, which mandated that only unemployed Ph.D. holders should be recruited.

Additionally, we have observed the recruitment of candidates whose Ph.D. theses were defended only a few days ago, whereas others who have been actively teaching in universities for four to five years without being recruited—despite training the newly recruited candidates—were left out. Many of these long-serving academics are older and should have been given priority in the recruitment process.

Furthermore, we note with confusion that several advertised positions have disappeared from the final results, despite qualified candidates having applied for them.

Given these irregularities, which have left unemployed Ph.D. holders frustrated and in a state of daily hardship despite their long years of academic training and acquired competencies, we are formally notifying you, Mr. Prefect, of our peaceful march. This declaration aligns with Article 6 of Law No. 90/055 of December 19, 1990, which stipulates that all public demonstrations must be declared at least seven (07) days in advance. Additionally, Article 7 of the same law requires us to define the route of our march, which will start at the Camtel Roundabout and end at the Prime Minister's Office via the Boulevard du 20 Mai.

Thus, in full compliance with the law, we announce seven (07) days in advance that our march will take place on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

Please be assured, Mr. Prefect, of the republican and civic nature of our peaceful march.

Copies sent to:

The President of the Republic
The Prime Minister
The Minister of Higher Education (MINESUP)
The Regional Governors
The Print and Broadcast Media

Signed by the following Ph.D. holders representing the collective:

Dr. EBANDA
Dr. MBILA ENYEGUE
Dr. FOMEKONG TSAGUE
Dr. TANKEU Sévérin Elisée
Dr. WETE Eric
Dr. CHUO Walters Ayeah
Dr. KEIMENI WELADII Rufin
Dr. KOMGUEP NGANYO Ronald
Dr. KODII Paul
Dr. KALONG Christian
Dr. MBOUOMBOUO Noarours
Dr. MOUTSINA
Dr. AMES Sonia
Dr. MAH TSILA Philippe
Dr. NGUENANG NGANYO Perel
Dr. MFOSSI GHAKOUPEN Ismael
Dr. NGAGOUM KONTCHIPE
Dr. SONFACK Aristide Nadine
Dr. FOKO KAMSEU Maturin
Dr. BETTO DIEUTCHA Stanislas
Dr. NGO NJOH ESTHER
Dr. FOKOUA MICHAEL
Dr. TCHINDA ALBERT
Dr. NGATCHOU MARCEL
Dr. MEKAM FRANCIS
Dr. TONLEU FELICIEN
Dr. SOH EDGAR
Dr. NDONGO PAUL
Dr. ZAMBOU YVES
Dr. FON YVETTE
Dr. NGUETSE JEAN
Dr. TCHOUA NATHAN
Dr. FOTSO CAMILLE
Dr. TAGNE EMMANUEL
Dr. NDONKO JACQUES
Dr. BIKOI BRUNO
Dr. WANDJI RACHEL
Dr. DJAMBOU ANDRE
Dr. NGUEKAM ALAIN
Dr. MBONJO GRACE
Dr. KOUANG KOFFI
Dr. NGOMO MARTIN
Dr. TABI STEPHANE
Dr. CHU ASTRID
Dr. FOKWA DANIEL
Dr. EKANI PAUL
Dr. KOTTO CHRISTIAN
Dr. NKENGUE NADINE
Dr. EBONGUE BLAISE
Dr. WANDJI ROLAND
Dr. NGOUNOU ARTHUR
Dr. MBOA FELIX
Dr. NKOT MONIQUE
Dr. MENDOUA LUC
Dr. WANDJI BERTIN
Dr. TABI EMMANUEL
Dr. KENGNE NADINE
Dr. TAGNE PASCAL
Dr. TCHAMBA JEAN
Dr. NGUETSOP CEDRIC
Dr. NGOA BERTRAND
Dr. TONLEU JEAN
Dr. TABELOU EMMANUEL
Dr. FONKAM PHILIP
Dr. TCHANA MARC
Dr. MBONDO REGIS
Dr. ZOCK PAUL
Dr. MBELE EDITH
Dr. KENFACK JULES
Dr. CHUO MARIE
Dr. TCHUENTE ALBERT
Dr. MENGUE ANITA
Dr. NGAH JEROME
Dr. FOTSO HENRI
Dr. WAMBA CHRISTOPHE
Dr. KAMGA STEPHANIE
Dr. NDOKO YANNICK
Dr. MANDENGU MARTIN
Dr. NGOUA GERMAIN
Dr. MBOMA ERIC

Ph.D. Holders: Job Seekers Instead of Job Creators—A Systemic Failure?

One of the biggest paradoxes in Cameroon’s education system is that despite producing high-level scholars, the nation still struggles with economic growth and innovation. Why? Because the training curriculum remains largely theoretical and detached from practical entrepreneurship. Unlike in developed nations where research leads to patents, businesses, and industrial growth, Cameroon’s Ph.D. graduates are conditioned to seek employment rather than create opportunities.

The lack of integration between academia and industry exacerbates this problem. Instead of universities producing innovators and job creators, they churn out job seekers with little exposure to commercialization, funding opportunities, or business development skills. As a result, thousands of Ph.D. holders rely entirely on state-sponsored employment, and when the government fails to absorb them, they remain in limbo, unable to contribute to national progress.

A Crisis Repeating Itself: When the Government Suspended Ph.D. Training

The current situation is not new. Some years ago, following a similar wave of protests by unemployed Ph.D. holders, the government stopped doctoral training in many fields, citing an oversupply of highly educated yet jobless individuals. Instead of addressing the root cause—the disconnect between training and employment—the government took the easy way out by halting new Ph.D. programs.

However, this strategy did not solve the problem. Today, the same crisis persists because no reforms were implemented to match doctoral programs with market needs. The country continues to produce scholars without a clear vision of how to integrate them into the economy.

The Paradox of Government Recruitment and Rising Unemployment

Adding to this paradox, the President recently announced the recruitment of 10,000 health workers, yet unemployment continues to skyrocket. While the recruitment drive is commendable, it fails to address the core economic dysfunction that has left many professionals—including Ph.D. holders—without sustainable careers.

The situation worsened with the suspension of U.S. financial aid to Cameroon, which previously funded thousands of jobs in various sectors, including health, education, and development programs. With this crucial funding stream cut off, job losses have multiplied, pushing even more skilled professionals—including doctors and researchers—into desperation. The government must recognize that public-sector recruitment alone is not a sustainable solution to unemployment.

Strategic Advice: A Way Forward for the Government and Ph.D. Holders

The current crisis demands bold, strategic action from both the government and Ph.D. holders:

For the Government:
- Reform the Ph.D. training system to incorporate entrepreneurship, industry partnerships, and applied research.
- Encourage private-sector employment by providing grants, tax breaks, and funding for research-driven startups.
- Invest in research commercialization by ensuring that doctoral work leads to patents, businesses, or industrial applications.
- Revise the recruitment process to ensure transparency, fairness, and adherence to meritocracy.
For Ph.D. Holders:
- Shift from a job-seeker mentality to an entrepreneurial mindset—seek funding for research-based businesses.
- Collaborate across industries to create research-driven solutions for agriculture, technology, and healthcare.
- Advocate for systemic change through structured dialogue rather than reactive protests alone.
- Seek international collaborations for research and employment opportunities beyond government constraints.

A Crisis That Demands Urgent Action

The ongoing protest by unemployed Ph.D. holders in Cameroon is a symptom of a much deeper systemic failure. It is not just about jobs—it is about a broken system that undervalues intellectual capital. Unless immediate reforms are made to bridge the gap between academia and industry, Cameroon risks losing its brightest minds to brain drain, underemployment, or frustration-driven protests. The time for action is now.