UNICAL Expels Over 300 Dental Students Over Quota Breach

University of Calabar Faces Outrage After Mass Expulsion in Dentistry Faculty

The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has dismissed more than 300 students from its Faculty of Dentistry and Dental Surgery, spanning from 200 to 600 level, after the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) flagged the institution for grossly exceeding its approved admission quota.

According to sources within the university, the MDCN had set an annual quota of just 10 students for the Dentistry programme. However, UNICAL admitted hundreds, resulting in classes with as many as 90 students per level and a total population far above regulatory limits. This violation prompted the MDCN to declare the admissions invalid, leading to the university’s decision to send all affected students home.

“The quota for Dentistry is 10, yet we have classes with as many as 90 students,” a university source revealed. “What was the plan for these students?”

Affected students and their families have expressed deep frustration, citing significant financial and emotional investments in tuition, accommodation, and study materials. Many have called the university’s actions “a huge injustice” and are demanding intervention from the Federal Government and relevant regulatory bodies.

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The Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Banku Obi, reportedly met with the students and their parents, confirming the breach and instructing them to vacate campus. Students were also warned against staging protests, further fueling resentment among the displaced group.

Despite the crisis, the National Universities Commission (NUC) had recently granted full accreditation to UNICAL’s Dentistry programme. However, professional accreditation and adherence to MDCN quotas remain mandatory for the recognition of graduates, especially for induction and licensing purposes.

Stakeholders are now calling for accountability and urgent resolution, stressing the importance of compliance with both NUC and professional body standards in all Nigerian universities.

Accreditation by the NUC and professional bodies is a critical issue for all tertiary programmes. Prospective students and parents are advised to verify the status of their chosen courses and institutions before applying.