Fresh concerns have erupted at University of Uyo as parents of students in the institution’s Dentistry programme staged a protest over the continued non-accreditation of the course, warning that the academic future of their children is hanging in the balance.
The aggrieved parents, under the banner of the Forum of Parents of Dental Students, stormed Uyo with placards carrying inscriptions such as “Save UniUyo Dental Students,” “Stop Wasting Our Children’s Future,” and “We Reject Unnecessary Academic Delays.”
The protest followed growing fears that students admitted into the Dentistry programme since 2021 may encounter serious setbacks if urgent action is not taken to secure full accreditation from the appropriate regulatory authorities.
Speaking during the demonstration, the Chairman of the Forum, Sunday Elijah, represented by Otuekong Vincent Udoh, accused the university of admitting students into a professional programme that allegedly lacked an approved quota and full accreditation structure.
According to the parents, the situation has left hundreds of students and their families traumatised after years of financial sacrifices, intensive academic work, and uncertainty surrounding the programme’s recognition.
“These students enrolled with dreams of becoming qualified dental surgeons and contributing to Nigeria’s healthcare system. Parents have continued paying school fees, medical charges, and other levies without knowing whether the programme would eventually receive accreditation,” the forum stated.
The parents alleged that the university admitted more than 40 students into some Dentistry classes despite reportedly lacking adequate accreditation approval, noting that other universities with accredited programmes often operate within stricter admission quotas.
They described the development as alarming and questioned why students continued to be admitted into the programme without a fully secured accreditation framework.
The protesters also lamented that the university had yet to invite the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for a full accreditation exercise, despite students already advancing into clinical levels.
In a move aimed at protecting the students from further uncertainty, the parents proposed the temporary integration of affected Dentistry students into the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery programme already accredited by the university.
According to them, many of the dental students had undergone the same foundational medical training, lectures, examinations, and clinical postings as their counterparts in Medicine and Surgery, making the proposed merger academically feasible.
“Students in Years Three, Four, and Five have already written similar professional examinations and participated in the same clinical activities with medical students. They should not be made to suffer because of administrative failures,” the forum added.
The parents further appealed to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to intervene with compassion and ensure innocent students are not punished for circumstances beyond their control.
Responding to the growing controversy, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of University of Uyo, Prof. Samuel Odewumi, assured stakeholders that the institution was making serious efforts to secure accreditation for the programme.
“If there is one issue I have paid close attention to since assuming office, it is the accreditation of the Dentistry programme. Necessary steps have been taken, contracts awarded, and several requirements are already being addressed,” he said.
Odewumi explained that accreditation processes for professional medical programmes require time and substantial infrastructure, adding that the university was nearing the stage of inviting the regulatory council for assessment.
The situation has continued to generate anxiety within the university community, especially among students currently in advanced levels who fear prolonged academic delays, uncertainty over professional licensing, and possible disruptions to their career ambitions.
