After months of anxiety and uncertainty, hundreds of displaced Dentistry students from the University of Calabar have secured admission into Obafemi Awolowo University to continue their academic studies.
The affected students had earlier been withdrawn from the Dentistry programme at University of Calabar following issues linked to the institution’s admission quota approved by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
The controversy, which sparked widespread reactions across the country, emerged after reports revealed that the university admitted students far above the council’s approved quota of 10 candidates per academic session for the Dentistry programme.
The situation left over 300 students stranded, including those already in advanced stages of their studies, forcing many families into emotional and financial distress.
Public outrage also followed reports that some affected students were allegedly advised to abandon the programme and acquire vocational skills instead, a development many Nigerians criticised heavily.
However, the crisis appears to have taken a positive turn as the displaced students have now been officially absorbed by Obafemi Awolowo University, bringing hope to those affected.
The resolution was said to have been achieved through sustained engagements and intervention efforts led by the Vice Chancellor of University of Calabar, Professor Offiong E. Offiong.