By Cletus Asoquo
The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has appealed to the Federal Government for urgent intervention in the ongoing crisis affecting more than 60 of its dentistry students, who risk being unable to graduate due to issues surrounding accreditation and admission quota breaches.
This development comes amid growing tension on campus, following revelations that the number of students admitted into the Dentistry programme significantly exceeded the quota approved by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
The over-enrolment, which spanned multiple academic sessions, has now placed the affected students in a precarious position, jeopardizing their ability to graduate or proceed to professional licensing.
The breach has left dozens of final-year dentistry students stranded, facing an uncertain academic future after several years of rigorous training, clinical rotations, and substantial financial investment.
Many of them, along with their families, are reportedly distressed, as the delay jeopardizes not just their graduation but also their eligibility for national service and timely career advancement.
In response to the mounting pressure, the university disclosed plans to escalate the issue beyond internal mechanisms.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi, announced that she would be traveling to Abuja in the coming days to engage with top federal officials, including those in the Ministry of Education, in a bid to secure government intervention.
She explained that although she had already informed the Minister of Education about the situation, her visit to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would aim to further press for the ministry’s backing and draw the attention of the relevant regulatory bodies.
Her goal, she said, is to facilitate direct communication with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the body responsible for granting accreditation and issuing certificates, to explore possible solutions that would allow the affected students to graduate.
Professor Obi further disclosed that the university is racing against time to resolve the issue before October, when the current academic cycle is expected to conclude.
She expressed hope that, with timely support from the Federal Government and regulatory stakeholders, the students would be able to receive their results and proceed without further delay.
Obi, who appeared in a popular television morning programme on Wednesday, explained that although the admissions breach predates her administration, she has accepted full responsibility as the current head of the institution.
“Yes, I take responsibility. Even though I did not personally authorize the admission of over 60 students, I’m the Vice Chancellor, and the buck stops at my desk. The students are not to blame for this systemic failure. We’re working tirelessly to ensure they do not bear the brunt of administrative errors,” she stated.
Obi revealed that while the MDCN had previously approved a quota of just 10 students, more than 60 were admitted into the Dentistry programme, leading to a major compliance violation.
According to her, the over-admission occurred despite a 2022 directive from MDCN to suspend further intakes due to accreditation issues a directive that the university adhered to for three consecutive academic years before the breach was allegedly committed by some top officials.
Obi did identify the Dean of the Faculty and the university’s Admissions Officer as being at the centre of the infractions.
She said both individuals had been issued queries and are currently undergoing internal disciplinary procedures.
“We will invoke internal mechanisms to investigate and discipline those involved. Queries have been issued, and there will be consequences,” she assured.
She disclosed that the university had commenced discussions with other tertiary institutions to possibly absorb those in earlier levels, while efforts were being made to internally accommodate those already in their final year.
“We are not folding our arms. I will be meeting with the Honourable Minister of Education to table this matter and seek direct support from the Federal Government. Our students cannot be left stranded due to administrative lapses they knew nothing about,” she said.
Obi also called for calm among students and parents, noting that reports of depression and suicidal ideas among affected students were deeply concerning to the university leadership.
“I want to plead with our students. Please don’t despair. On my honour, we will find a solution. I am deeply pained by this, and I am doing all I can to resolve it,” she said.
She reiterated her commitment to ensuring that no student suffers unjustly, adding that her administration would do everything within its power to bring closure and clarity to the matter.
