UNICAL Denies Sending Away Dentistry Students To "Learn Trade", Promises Resolving Admission Issues
By Benjamin GBOR
The University of Calabar has debunked claims circulating on social media that its Dentistry students were instructed to “go and learn a trade” or seek transfer to other universities on their own, describing the reports as false, misleading, and a gross distortion of facts.
Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, July 14, 2025, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, addressed the issue head-on, clarifying the university’s position regarding the longstanding over-admission challenge in the Faculty of Dentistry.
“It has become pertinent to issue this clarification to correct the misrepresentation and let our students, parents, and the public know the truth and the efforts being made to resolve the problem,” Prof. Obi stated.
According to her, the problem did not originate with the current administration. The Dentistry programme began during the 2013/2014 academic session, and while it received full accreditation in December 2022, a post-accreditation review by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) revealed that UNICAL had consistently exceeded its approved quota of 10 students per admission year.
“Unfortunately, from available records, the university has never adhered to the given quota since the programme’s inception,” she revealed.
Prof. Obi strongly refuted viral claims that students were abandoned or told to fend for themselves. “At no point were students asked to seek admission elsewhere on their own, nor were they told to ‘go and learn a trade,’ as falsely reported on social media,” she affirmed.
She explained that in a recent meeting with MDCN officials in Abuja, several resolutions were reached to address the issue without compromising the future of current students. These include the suspension of fresh admissions into the programme until MDCN completes its re-verification process; the potential transfer of some students in 400–600 level to other universities offering Dentistry, with full coordination between institutions; and the induction of 31 graduates and resit exams for 28 others, pending MDCN’s re-verification of UNICAL’s teaching and clinical facilities.
“Our Dentistry students currently span from 400 to 600 level. MDCN has advised that we invite them for re-verification within six months to assess our capacity, with a view to increasing our quota,” Prof. Obi noted.
The Vice Chancellor also disclosed that UNICAL is working to strengthen its capacity in line with MDCN’s requirements. So far, four new dental chairs have been procured, raising the total to 36, while 16 additional chairs are expected through the Special Presidential Intervention on Medical Colleges. A waiver has also been granted for the recruitment of more academic staff, pending final clearance from the Budget Office.
“Once the chairs and staff are in place, MDCN will be invited for the re-verification exercise,” she said.
Prof. Obi reassured students and parents that UNICAL’s Dentistry programme retains its full accreditation, and the institution remains fully committed to ensuring that all enrolled students complete their training and are duly licensed.
“Let me make it clear: the programme has not lost its accreditation, and no students have been abandoned. Those awaiting induction are not affected by the planned transfers,” she emphasized.
She concluded with a passionate appeal for calm and support. “We care deeply about our students. I urge everyone to disregard social media distortions. We are working tirelessly to resolve this, and we are confident our engagements will yield positive outcomes.”
The Vice Chancellor also called on the Minister of Education to intervene by fast-tracking approvals for recruitment and procurement, to speed up the MDCN’s re-verification and ensure uninterrupted training for UNICAL’s future dental professionals.
