UNICAL Dental Students Protest Over Overcrowding Crisis, Reject Transfer Plans After Seven Years in School

Students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) staged a protest in front of the Vice Chancellor’s office this week, demanding answers over the uncertain fate of over 300 dental students whose admission statuses are now in jeopardy.

A video of the protest, which began on Monday, showed the students voicing their frustration. By Tuesday, fresh footage confirmed the demonstration was ongoing at the same location.

The affected students, most of whom are in 500-level, accused the university of admitting more students than it was accredited for by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). Rather than be transferred to other institutions, the students urged the school to resolve its accreditation issues and consider integrating them into the Department of Medicine and Surgery.

Vice Chancellor Professor Florence Banku Obi had admitted that the school exceeded its quota but said she had hoped some students would naturally drop off along the way—a practice she described as “normal” in Nigerian universities.

FIJ learned that many of the affected students have spent up to seven years in the school, paid full tuition, and now face the possibility of being expelled.

“We have a lot of issues. We’re just clamouring that our needs be met,” said one of the protesting students. “Our demands are not much and they’re not impossible.”

The Nigerian Association of Dental Students (NADS) issued a statement condemning the university’s approach, rejecting any plans to transfer students or send them home, and calling for a clear, transparent plan to resolve the accreditation crisis.

Meanwhile, Professor Obi denied claims that she told students to change courses or learn a trade. She noted the accreditation problems predated her administration and assured that while some students may be transferred to other accredited institutions, others would have to wait until UNICAL secures re-verification.