By Our Reporter
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River Southern Senatorial District, convened an urgent meeting at the National Assembly on Monday to address the crisis facing 392 dental students at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), threatened with disqualification due to the university’s breach of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) admission quota.
The high-level meeting included Senator Ekpenyong; Professor Fatima Kyari, MDCN Registrar and CEO; Senator Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health; UNICAL’s Student Union President Emmanuel Obo; and MDCN officials. Professor Kyari revealed UNICAL had repeatedly admitted far beyond the MDCN’s approved quota of 10 students per year, severely undermining educational standards and risking professional futures.
Senator Ekpenyong characterized the situation as an “educational emergency,” calling for immediate solutions to protect the students’ careers. He proposed a one-time MDCN-supervised waiver for final-year students who passed their professional exams to allow induction. He also recommended enhanced funding from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to expand dental education infrastructure at UNICAL and suggested transferring some affected students to related medical programs where capacity exists. Moreover, he urged the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education to investigate and hold UNICAL’s Vice Chancellor and College Provost accountable, while pressing the MDCN to enforce stricter future compliance with admission quotas.
READ ALSO: NUJ named Anambra CP Best Crime Fighter
Senator Harry-Banigo affirmed support for the students, warning against letting them bear the brunt of institutional mismanagement and emphasizing the importance of healthcare sector credibility and youth development. She demanded actionable recommendations from the MDCN before further Senate engagements with university authorities.
The Student Union Government, led by President Emmanuel Obo, has also been active, advocating for academic progression alignment with medical students and supporting the welfare of those caught in the crisis.
The university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi, has called for patience and cooperation, acknowledging the over-admission issue predates her administration and highlighting recent federal interventions to upgrade facilities aimed at meeting accreditation standards.
All parties agreed on sustained Senate oversight until a fair, sustainable resolution is reached that balances regulatory integrity with the students’ educational rights and future careers.
