The Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative (IADI) and other allied civil society organizations have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the lingering crisis at the University of Calabar’s Faculty of Dentistry, where over 300 students face academic uncertainty due to a regulatory clash between the university and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, the Executive Director of IADI, Comrade Christopher Ofomhi, described the situation as a “national emergency” that reflects “a damaging overlap between professional regulation and academic governance.” According to him, the crisis stems from outdated MDCN quota restrictions and a lack of synergy with the National Universities Commission (NUC), which has led to the rejection of students despite their legitimate admission.
“The lives and dreams of over 300 UNICAL students are hanging in the balance. We cannot afford to look the other way,” Ofomhi said. “What is happening at UNICAL is not an isolated incident. Several Vice Chancellors across the country are grappling with similar contradictions from professional bodies.”
Comrade Ogakwu Dominic, President of the Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG), added his voice to the call for urgent reforms, stressing that the situation is a “lingering menace that should not be ignored.” He said, “This crisis affects the lives of students who had high hopes for their future. It is disheartening that young Nigerians are subjected to such emotional and academic trauma due to inter-agency conflicts.”
IADI further decried the hypocrisy of allowing mass registration of foreign-trained doctors and dentists while capping local university admissions to as few as ten students per year. “This archaic policy undermines healthcare development, denies access to qualified students, and contradicts national objectives,” Ofomhi emphasized.
The group demanded the immediate recall and reintegration of the affected students, a presidential directive for a nationwide audit of similar regulatory conflicts, and reaffirmation of the NUC’s authority over academic accreditation. It warned that if no decisive action is taken, it will escalate its advocacy through peaceful protests, strategic media engagements, and legal action to ensure justice for the affected students.