In a devastating twist, nearly 300 dental students at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) are now caught in an academic and professional nightmare, after it was revealed that the institution exceeded its MDCN-approved annual intake of just 10 students for its dentistry programme.
Despite repeated warnings, UNICAL reportedly admitted up to 90 students per year—at various levels including final year, 500-level and 100-level—leaving cohorts in limbo and risking non-recognition by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
Stance of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MCDN)
The MDCN has upheld its stance firmly: only 10 dental students may be accredited per session, and any excess admissions are deemed illegal and non-compliant. The Council has refused to clear graduation lists that exceed this cap, triggering crises for students who have spent over five years—some even seven years—on the programme.
Provost Ngim Ngim allegedly advised some students to “go and learn a trade,” illustrating the depth of institutional failure. Meanwhile, the vice chancellor claims the programme remains accredited and that efforts are underway to “regularise the situation” through student transfers and quota negotiations.
Japa Crisis: Nigeria’s Health Sector Hemorrhaging Talent
As UNICAL battles this quota scandal, the broader picture of Nigeria’s healthcare crisis worsens:
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Between 2019 and 2023, over 1,056 medical consultants left Nigeria.
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900 resident doctors emigrated to Europe in just nine months of 2023.
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The NMA reports that approximately 15,000 doctors have left Nigeria over the past five years.
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Nigeria now has an estimated 30,000 doctors serving a population of ~240 million, resulting in a 1:8,000 doctor‑patient ratio—drastically below the WHO-recommended 1:600.
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Additionally, 12% of all registered medical practitioners, some 8,500 doctors, have departed since 2021.
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According to UN statistics, more than half of MDCN-registered Nigerian doctors now practice abroad.
The Irony & The Outcry
It’s a cruel paradox: while Nigeria is grappling with extreme doctor shortages and mass emigration, hundreds of deserving dental students risk exclusion over preventable bureaucratic mismanagement.
Advocacy groups, alumni, and the National Association of Dental Students (NADS) are demanding justice and swift governmental intervention.
The African Alumni body of UNICAL called for sanctions against responsible officials, calling the situation “a disgrace” and urging support for affected students.
Call for Justice & National Interest
These 300 students are not statistics—they are a national asset, especially at a time when Nigeria can least afford another exodus of health talent. Their excluded futures highlight two intersecting crises:
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Institutional failure—UNICAL’s repeated disregard for MDCN guidelines is deeply irresponsible.
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National hemorrhage of medical professionals—the same students could have helped ease Nigeria’s acute healthcare shortages.
We urgently call on the Federal Ministries of Education and Health, NUC, MDCN, and UNICAL’s management to:
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Allow existing students to complete their training and grant them full professional recognition.
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Regularise UNICAL’s admissions practices with clear, enforced quotas moving forward.
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Boost systemic accountability to prevent replication of this catastrophe.
Conclusion
Though some may still argue that these 300 affected UNICAL student might still tow the japa path; but the truth is our nation needs its dental professionals.
The Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) reports a ratio of 1:53,828. Meaning one dentist is responsible for the oral health of approximately 54,000 people, according to the News Agency of Nigeria. This is far below the WHO recommendation and indicates a severe shortage of dentists in the country. So, denying 300 students their future amid a national health crisis is both injustice and strategic self-harm. Retain talent by fixing systemic gaps—not shutting out students.