The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has suspended admissions into its Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, and Medical Laboratory Science programmes for the 2026/2027 academic session, a decision that has prompted the institution to advise affected candidates to immediately seek admission into other universities through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The announcement, contained in an official statement issued by the University’s Registrar, Dr Mrs Chukwuka Icha, was released through the institution’s Public Relations Unit on Friday. The statement confirmed that no fresh admissions would be conducted into the three professional health programmes during the forthcoming admission cycle.
According to the university, prospective students who selected UNICAL as their first-choice institution for any of the affected courses should visit the nearest JAMB office without delay to process a change of institution. The management stressed that the exercise must be completed before the end of July 2026 to avoid jeopardising candidates’ admission prospects.
Investigations indicate that the suspension affects only the specified programmes, while admission into other academic courses at the university will continue in line with the approved admission calendar.
Although the institution did not disclose the exact reason behind the temporary suspension, it clarified that the development is not unique to the University of Calabar, noting that three other Nigerian universities are currently facing similar restrictions on admissions into related programmes.
The development has drawn the attention of admission seekers, particularly candidates who had prepared for highly competitive health science programmes at the institution. Many prospective students are now expected to explore alternative universities offering the affected courses before the JAMB deadline expires.
University authorities urged applicants to rely solely on official information released by the institution and JAMB, warning against misleading reports circulating on social media and other unofficial platforms. The management emphasised that any future updates regarding the affected programmes would be communicated through its recognised channels.
The institution further encouraged candidates to act promptly in processing the required change of institution, noting that delays could affect their eligibility for admission during the 2026/2027 admission exercise.
The temporary suspension also highlights the importance of regulatory compliance in professional health education, where universities are expected to meet prescribed standards relating to accreditation, training facilities, staffing and programme capacity before admitting new students.
As the admission season progresses, prospective applicants have been advised to monitor official announcements from both UNICAL and JAMB for further guidance on available admission opportunities and any subsequent decisions concerning the affected programmes.
