The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Florence Obi, has pledged to resolve the lingering issues in the university’s Department of Dentistry before the end of her tenure.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday in Calabar, Prof. Obi assured students and stakeholders that the crisis, which stems from years of over-admission and regulatory challenges, will be addressed comprehensively under her leadership.
According to the VC, the issue predates her administration and is largely a result of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria’s (MDCN) refusal to induct students admitted into the Dentistry programme in 2016. Despite the setback, she maintained that the programme remains accredited.
“Contrary to misinformation circulating on social media, the Dentistry programme has not lost its accreditation, and no students have been asked to transfer to other universities or advised to ‘go and learn a trade’,” she stated.
Prof. Obi dismissed the online claims as deliberate distortions and reaffirmed that the institution is working diligently to ensure that all affected students are able to complete their studies and be inducted as qualified dental surgeons.
“I will feel very bad if I leave office without solving this problem. I won’t be fulfilled if these students are left in limbo,” she said emotionally.
She revealed that the Dentistry programme began during the 2013/2014 academic session, receiving pre-clinical accreditation from the MDCN in November 2019, and full clinical accreditation in December 2022.
The VC also emphasized the university’s ongoing collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to improve infrastructure and academic standards in the department.
Addressing reports that some affected students have requested a transfer to the Department of Medicine and Surgery, Prof. Obi said such a move is not viable due to capacity constraints in the department.
She urged students to remain calm and trust in the administration’s commitment to resolving the issue.
“We are engaging other institutions, updating the MDCN, and following due process. We’re determined to ensure our students graduate and are properly licensed,” she added.
The University of Calabar has come under public scrutiny in recent weeks, with student bodies and parents calling for urgent action to protect the future of hundreds of dental students caught in academic uncertainty.
