The Nigerian Association of Dental Students (NADS) has condemned the University of Calabar’s directive asking over 300 dental students to transfer to other institutions, describing the decision as “inhuman” and “totally unacceptable.”
In a statement dated July 11, 2025, and signed by Victory Ochuwa, President of NADS, University of Benin Chapter, the association expressed deep concern over the fate of the affected students, many of whom are in their final years after investing up to eight years in their dental education.
Reacting to the development in Benin City, Ochuwa said the University of Calabar’s action stemmed from its alleged over-admission, which led to the loss of accreditation for its Faculty of Dentistry.
The association maintained that the students should not be made to suffer for the university’s administrative failures.
“As the national body representing all dental students in Nigeria, we strongly condemn this act of negligence and disregard for student welfare,” the statement read.
“We reject any suggestion that these students should bear the consequences of institutional failings.”
NADS expressed particular concern for final-year students, some of whom were reportedly told to abandon their studies and “go and learn a trade.”
The association urged the university to immediately suspend the directive and called on relevant authorities, including the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the Nigerian Dental Association, and the Federal Ministries of Health and Education, to intervene and ensure a just and compassionate resolution.
At the time of filing this report, the University of Calabar had yet to issue an official response.
