ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The National Universities Commission, NUC, has assured that the controversy surrounding over 300 Dentistry students at the University of Calabar will be resolved in their favour.
The Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, gave the assurance during the July edition of the EWAN Monthly Dialogue, themed “Over-Admission/Quota Crisis: What Fate Awaits UNICAL Dental Students?”
Rasheed, who was represented by the Director of Resources and Strategic Planning at the Commission, Dr. Nte Bisong, faulted the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for sidelining the NUC during its recent verification visit to UNICAL.
“The issue will be resolved to the advantage of the students,” he said, noting that the Federal Government, including the Minister of Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, is already involved in resolving the matter.
The MDCN had accused UNICAL of repeatedly breaching its admission quota, saying the school continued to admit about 90 students annually into the Dental programme despite a carrying capacity of just 10.
Following its verification exercise, the Council reportedly told the students to “go and learn a trade” a remark that sparked public backlash and widespread concern.
Reacting to the development, the NUC said it was not informed of the MDCN’s exercise and insisted that the students remain legitimate.
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“Professional bodies don’t determine carrying capacity; NUC does. It’s wrong for us to approve a programme and another body to reject it,” Bisong said.
He added that the Commission was open to relocating the affected students to other universities willing to absorb them, with a promise to expand carrying capacities in those institutions accordingly.
“We’re mocking our system when we fail to coordinate. If they had informed NUC, we would’ve guided them better,” he said.
While admitting that UNICAL exceeded its quota, Bisong explained that newly approved programmes usually start with a small capacity that can later be reviewed upward.
He also stressed the need for collaboration among regulatory bodies.
“NUC is not a spirit. We can’t be everywhere at once. But we expect universities and professional bodies to work with us to make the system better,” he said.