The House of Representatives has launched a formal investigation into the lingering academic crisis facing dentistry students at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), following alarming revelations that over 300 students were directed to vacate the institution due to over-enrollment and accreditation issues.
The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance, jointly sponsored by Hon. Kingsley Chinda, Minority Leader, and Hon. Ahmed Jaha, both of whom expressed grave concern over the fate of the affected students who have been caught in the crossfire between regulatory oversight and institutional failure.
“The students have invested significant time, resources, and emotional energy into their education, only to face devastating uncertainty and the possible collapse of their career prospects through no fault of theirs,” Hon. Ahmed Jaha told the House.
“They deserve urgent intervention—not abandonment.”
The Crisis Explained
The crisis stems from UNICAL’s long-standing violation of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) admission quota, which caps annual dental intakes at just 10 students. Despite this, the institution had been admitting up to 90 students annually for years—without sufficient facilities or staff to meet regulatory standards.
This led the MDCN to suspend accreditation for new intakes, and the university—under pressure—ordered students across all levels of the dentistry program to vacate the faculty indefinitely.
Affected students include finalists who have completed clinical training and coursework but remain uninducted and unrecognized, rendering them ineligible to practice or proceed with housemanship.
House Resolutions: A Beacon of Hope
Following deliberation, the House unanimously adopted the motion and passed several resolutions aimed at offering redress and charting a sustainable path forward:
1. Mandate for Legislative Committees
The Committees on Tertiary Education, Youth Development, and Health were directed to:
- Investigate the over-enrollment crisis,
- Examine MDCN’s role in regulatory enforcement,
- Review administrative decisions taken by UNICAL management,
- and report back within four weeks for potential legislative intervention.
2. Immediate Suspension of Punitive Measures
The House directed UNICAL to immediately halt all punitive actions, including mass withdrawals, evictions from hostels, or forced program transfers.
3. Audit by Federal Agencies
The Federal Ministry of Education, NUC, and MDCN were urged to conduct a comprehensive audit of the Faculty of Dentistry, reviewing infrastructure, personnel, and enrollment compliance.
4. Equitable Academic Remediation
The university was urged to explore fair and inclusive solutions, including:
- Temporary induction of eligible final-year students,
- Remedial learning programs for those lagging academically,
- Guided transfers—only with consent—to related medical programs.
5. Provisional Induction Pathway
The House called on the MDCN to develop a temporary induction framework for students who have completed training but remain unaccredited due to institutional failings.
Student Voices and Ongoing Protest
Students, under the banner of the SUG and faculty associations, have staged several peaceful protests—most recently during the South-South Constitutional Review sitting in Calabar—pleading with lawmakers and MDCN to “induct our doctors” and “save dentistry in UNICAL.”
SUG President, Senator Obo Emmanuel, earlier issued a five-point strategy that seeks to protect student futures, prevent the collapse of the faculty, and reestablish regulatory harmony without sacrificing those already caught in the crossfire.
UNICAL’s Position and the Road Ahead
UNICAL Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, has acknowledged over-admission in the past but insists efforts are being made to address MDCN concerns. She confirmed the receipt of ₦4.75 billion in federal funding, earmarked for improving the dentistry program’s infrastructure, staffing, and training facilities. The school plans to employ 218 new staff and install 16 new dental chairs to meet accreditation benchmarks.
“The program remains accredited till 2027,” she emphasized, “and we’re actively building capacity to ensure our students are not abandoned.”
Conclusion
Committee hearings will invite UNICAL management, MDCN, Ministry of Education officials, and student reps for testimony and submission of documents. Also, site inspection may be conducted at UNICAL’s Dental School in Calabar. Then a report is expected within four weeks, upon which the House may take legislative or enforcement action.
The House’s decisive move to investigate and intervene in the UNICAL dentistry crisis marks a turning point for students who have long endured academic limbo. The resolutions passed offer both relief and accountability, holding institutions responsible while safeguarding the dreams of young Nigerians aspiring to serve in the country’s fragile health system.