No Nigerian Student Should Pay for Leadership Failures, Obi Warns Amid University of Calabar Dental Accreditation Saga

 

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has called on the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive action to address the ongoing crisis at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), where hundreds of dental students have been caught in the crossfire of institutional shortcomings.

The controversy centers around a staggering over-admission of students by UNICAL’s Faculty of Dentistry, which is now facing a credibility crisis. According to recent findings, the institution admitted as many as 90 students per academic year into its Dentistry program, despite holding only provisional accreditation from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), which limits admissions to just 10 students annually.

The MDCN, tasked with regulating medical and dental education and practice across Nigeria, has consequently withheld verification of graduation lists from UNICAL’s dental faculty, citing non-compliance with its approved quota. This development has left several cohorts of students stranded, their academic and professional futures hanging in the balance.

Reacting to the situation via a statement shared on his verified X handle on July 19, Obi expressed deep concern and described the unfolding events as a failure in leadership. He emphasized that no student should be penalized for institutional lapses beyond their control and stressed the need for immediate corrective steps.

After a recent visit to the Faculty of Dental Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Obi said he was inundated with reports from concerned individuals regarding the crisis in Calabar. He acknowledged that the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL has promised to address the issue, a commitment he welcomed, but also insisted that words must be backed with urgent, visible action.

Highlighting his own experience as Governor of Anambra State, Obi recounted a similar crisis he encountered when the MDCN threatened to shut down the state’s medical school due to the lack of a teaching hospital. The students at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University were at risk of being forced to abandon their medical training after years of study. Refusing to let the students bear the brunt of administrative failures, Obi appealed to the MDCN to allow the students to continue their training while he committed to providing the required infrastructure.

True to his word, he said he delivered a fully functional teaching hospital in under 18 months, a feat the MDCN had previously declared unachievable in such a short timeframe. This, he noted, not only secured the accreditation of the medical program but also safeguarded the dreams of countless aspiring doctors.

Obi now urges the Federal Government to provide financial and structural assistance to UNICAL’s leadership, so that the present crisis can be resolved without further delay. He emphasized the importance of preserving academic standards while ensuring that students do not bear the consequences of systemic inefficiencies.

He expressed dismay at how crucial sectors such as education and healthcare continue to suffer neglect in Nigeria, especially when contrasted with the lavish spending often allocated to less impactful ventures. Obi’s remarks reflect a broader critique of national priorities and underline his long-standing advocacy for youth empowerment and human capital development.

“Education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is the backbone of any progressive nation. We must do everything to protect it,” he stated.

He concluded his message with a passionate call to action, urging government institutions to act responsibly and prevent further damage to Nigeria’s already fragile education system. Obi warned that continued neglect would only deepen the nation's existing challenges and compromise the future of its youth.

“A nation cannot expect to develop while it ignores the very pillars that sustain growth and innovation,” he said.

As the MDCN, the Federal Government, and UNICAL leadership weigh their next moves, many affected students and their families are hoping that this renewed attention from national figures like Peter Obi will finally spark the resolution they desperately need.

A New Nigeria is POssible, Obi reaffirmed at the end of his statement, placing hope at the center of what remains an increasingly dire educational crisis.