UNICAL pledges to resolve dentistry department crisis, denies de-accreditation claims

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Florence Obi, has pledged to resolve the long-standing crisis within the institution’s Department of Dentistry, particularly addressing concerns over alleged over-admission that have reportedly persisted for several years.

She made this commitment during a press briefing in Calabar on Tuesday, emphasizing her determination to tackle the issue before her tenure concludes.

Prof. Obi explained that the root of the problem predates her administration, stemming primarily from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria’s (MDCN) refusal to induct 2016 Dentistry students of the institution.

She pledged to intensify efforts to rectify the crisis.

Crucially, the Vice Chancellor debunked circulating social media claims that UNICAL’s Dentistry program has lost its accreditation, describing such reports as “misinformation and distortion of facts.”

She clarified that the program remains fully accredited and that 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,” the VC firmly stated.

Prof. Obi expressed a strong personal commitment to resolving the issue: “I will feel very bad if I leave without solving this problem and the students are left hanging without knowing their fate. I won’t be fulfilled.”

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She reaffirmed the university’s dedication to ensuring all Dentistry students graduate and are duly licensed as dental surgeons.

She noted that the Dentistry program commenced in the 2013/2014 academic session. The university secured pre-clinical accreditation from the MDCN in November 2019, followed by full clinical accreditation in December 2022.

The Vice Chancellor highlighted the university’s ongoing synergy and partnership with the Minister of Education and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to upgrade its facilities, which is crucial for addressing some of the underlying issues.

“All we asked for is time to engage with other institutions, update the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), and follow through on due processes,” she added.

Speaking further, Prof. Obi addressed the demand from some affected students to be transferred to the Department of Medicine and Surgery.

She stated that this was not a viable solution, as the Medicine and Surgery department was already saturated.

Prof. Obi urged the affected students to remain calm, assuring them that the university is doing everything possible to resolve the issues before the end of her tenure.