The Nigerian Association of Dental Students (NADS) has called on the management of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) to withdraw its directive asking over 300 dental students to transfer to other schools due to over-admission.
Victory Ochuwa, President of the NARD University of Benin Chapter, made the demand on Sunday in Benin in response to the University of Calabar’s decision to take its dental students away from UNICAL.
The statement, dated July 11th, 2025, with our ref: NAD/Exit/009 and sighted by newsmen in Calabar, described the action as “inhuman” and “totally unacceptable”, emphasising that it would destroy the affected pupils’ future.
It stated, “The Nigerian Association of Dental Students (NADS) expresses grave concern and deep disappointment over the ongoing crisis involving over 300 dental students of the University of Calabar, UNICAL, who have reportedly been asked to change institutions due to over-admission by the university, resulting in the loss of accreditation of the Faculty of Dentistry.”
The group attacked the university’s choice to admit students and then ask them to depart after four to six years of training.
“As the national body representing all dental students in Nigeria, we strongly condemn this act of negligence and disregard for student welfare.
“We reject any suggestion that these students should bear the consequences of the institution’s administrative failures,” the statement read.
NADS maintained that students should not bear the repercussions of the institution’s administrative shortcomings, claiming that the number of students exceeded the facilities’ capacity.
The group was concerned about the impact on final-year students who had invested seven to eight years in their education only to be forced to leave school and learn a trade.
NADS urges that UNICAL immediately suspend the directive requiring students to transfer or discontinue their dentistry studies, emphasising that reversing the decision will assist to alleviate the strain that is currently building up at the institution.
The students’ association also urged relevant bodies, such as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the Nigerian Dental Association, and the Federal Ministries of Health and Education, to act quickly and ensure that justice and compassion guide the way forward for the affected students.
Meanwhile, as of the time of reporting this report, UNICAL had not issued an official statement about the issue.
