Outcry As University Of Calabar Orders 300 Dental Students To Withdraw Over Quota Breach.
The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has sparked widespread outrage after directing approximately 300 dental students to withdraw from their programme and transfer to other institutions or abandon their studies entirely. The decision, attributed to the university admitting students beyond the quota set by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), has been labelled inhumane by students, parents, and advocates, who are rallying under the hashtag #SaveDentalStudentsOfUnical to demand justice.
The crisis unfolded following a meeting on 10 July 2025, convened by Vice-Chancellor Prof Florence Banku Obi, where students from 200 to 600 levels in the Faculty of Dentistry and Dental Surgery were informed of the university’s over-admission error. According to reports, UNICAL’s dental programme was allocated a quota of just 10 students per year by the MDCN, but the university admitted far more, leading to the abrupt directive for students to leave. The announcement has left students, many of whom have invested five to six years in their studies, reeling from the shock and uncertainty. One affected student, who spoke anonymously, expressed devastation: “I’ve spent five years here, paying millions in tuition, accommodation, and other costs. Now we’re told to find our way. It’s shattering.”
The decision has raised serious concerns about the mental health toll on students, with reports indicating that some are contemplating self-harm due to the sudden disruption of their academic and professional aspirations. Critics have questioned the university’s accountability, arguing that students should not bear the consequences of administrative oversight. “The loss of accreditation or quota issues is not the students’ fault,” said a medical professional on X, calling the Vice-Chancellor’s actions “callous.” The ripple effects are profound, with students facing wasted years, financial losses, and the daunting prospect of restarting their education elsewhere—if they can secure admission.
The affected students, many of whom are in their final years, have invested heavily in their education at UNICAL, a respected public university in Cross River State, known for its medical programmes. The Faculty of Dentistry and Dental Surgery, affiliated with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), is highly competitive, with strict entry requirements, including a minimum JAMB score of 200 for Medicine and Surgery and at least five O’Level credits. The sudden withdrawal directive has sparked accusations of mismanagement, with posts on X claiming this is not the first time UNICAL has forced students to withdraw from courses after years of study due to administrative failures.[](https://www.legit.ng/1144031-list-courses-offered-by-university-calabar.html)
Advocates are urging the Federal Ministry of Education and the MDCN to intervene, with calls directed at Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa to address the crisis. A petition circulating online demands that UNICAL reinstate the students or secure their transfer to accredited institutions without further delay. The hashtag #SaveDentalStudentsOfUnical has gained traction, amplifying the students’ plight and galvanising public support. “These young people deserve better. Their futures are at stake,” one post read, echoing the sentiment of many.
The university’s administration has yet to issue a public statement clarifying the steps it will take to mitigate the crisis. However, the recent resolution of a strike by clinical lecturers at UNICAL, following intervention by the Education Minister, suggests that federal involvement could yield results. For now, the dental students and their families are left grappling with uncertainty, their dreams of becoming dental professionals hanging in the balance. As the call for justice grows louder, the nation watches to see if UNICAL will reverse its decision or if the students will receive the support needed to continue their journey.
