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The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Florence Obi, has promised to resolve the current imbroglio in the Department of Dentistry, where there have been reports of over-admission for several years.
Addressing the press yesterday, Obi said the problem predates her administration but that she will intensify efforts to rectify all or most of the issues.
The problem has affected over 300 students of that department, including those in years one to six.
The VC explained that they are reaching an understanding with 13 other universities offering the same course and the umbrella professional body of the dental association so that they can transfer these students to them.
But the students have insisted against transfer, preferring to be merged with the Department of Medicine and Surgery, which the VC said is not very practical, especially for those in 400, 500, and 600 levels.
Obi, who has a few months to leave office, vowed that she will not leave problems for her successor, assuring that relevant government officials have been contacted to facilitate resolution of the imbroglio.
Obi also debunked claims circulating on social media that the institution’s Dentistry programme has lost its accreditation.
Obi described the reports as “misinformation and distortion of facts,” clarifying that the programme remains fully accredited and no students have been directed to transfer to other universities.
“At no point did the University ask Dentistry students to seek transfers to other institutions, nor were they advised to ‘go and learn a trade’ as falsely alleged online,” Obi said.
She reaffirmed the University’s commitment to ensuring all Dentistry students graduate and are duly licensed as dental surgeons.
“All we asked for was time – to engage with other institutions, update the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), and follow through on due processes,” she explained.
She noted that the Dentistry programme commenced in the 2013/2014 academic session, and in November 2019, the University secured pre-clinical accreditation from the MDCN. Full clinical accreditation was subsequently granted in December 2022.
“Our current challenge has nothing to do with loss of accreditation,” she said.
“The next scheduled accreditation by the MDCN is in 2027. However, I must admit that the University has historically admitted students beyond the MDCN-approved quota of 10 per session, an issue that predates my administration.”
She disclosed that the University had also received accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) in November 2022, with the next NUC review expected in 2029. The institution, she said, is using this interim period to upgrade facilities in order to apply for a quota increase.
Obi spoke of financial constraints but stressed that the University is committed to improving its infrastructure.
“We’ve procured four additional dental chairs, bringing our total to 36, and we expect 16 more through the Special Presidential Intervention on Medical Colleges.”
Obi revealed that they have been granted a waiver to recruit additional academic staff and are awaiting final clearance from the Budget Office in Abuja.
“We hope to take advantage of this waiver to boost our academic workforce in the Dentistry department,” she said.
She added that once the dental equipment and staffing gaps are addressed, the MDCN will be invited for verification toward increasing the quota.
I’ll do all in my power to resolve dentistry accreditation problems in UNICAL – VC
