The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has ignited significant anger after ordering all students from 200 to 600 levels in its Faculty of Dentistry and Dental Surgery to leave the campus. The directive comes after it was disclosed that the institution enrolled more than 300 students in the programme, greatly surpassing the limit set by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). The surprising announcement was revealed following a meeting that included the Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Banku Obi, the impacted students, and their parents. In the heated meeting, the university acknowledged that it had accepted a much larger cohort of students into the dentistry program than the regulations established by the MDCN allowed. The impacted students conveyed significant frustration and anguish, regretting that they had previously spent millions of naira on tuition, housing, books, and various living costs before being unexpectedly sent home. A notably upset student pointed out the obvious inconsistency, asking how the university could accept more than 300 students when the MDCN supposedly allows only 10 students to graduate annually from the program. Numerous students and parents have criticized the scenario as “a significant injustice,” directly attributing the blame to the university’s administration for what they see as a profit-driven choice, entirely neglecting established regulatory norms. Additional reports suggest that the Vice Chancellor delivered a strong warning to the students against organizing any type of protest. This action has allegedly deepened anger and feelings of unfairness among the displaced students and their families. They are requesting a reversal of UNICAL’s decision and have reached out to the Federal Government and the MDCN for prompt intervention to ensure a clear and fair resolution to the critical situation.
Controversy Arises as UNICAL Discharges More Than 300 Dentistry Students Due to MDCN Quota Breach
