Parents of Dentistry students at University of Uyo protested over delays in the programme’s accreditation, urging authorities to act quickly to protect the academic future of affected students.
Parents of students studying Dentistry at University of Uyo have expressed serious concern over delays affecting the accreditation of the programme, saying the uncertainty has placed the future of their children at risk. The parents, under the Forum of Parents of Dental Students, staged a peaceful protest in Uyo and appealed to the university management, the Federal Government, and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to urgently address the issue before more years are lost.
During a press briefing, the chairman of the forum, Mr. Sunday Elijah, represented by Otuekong Vincent Udoh, explained that many of the students had already spent years studying with the hope of becoming qualified dental surgeons. According to the parents, they have continued to pay school fees and other levies despite growing fears about the future of the programme. They described the situation as emotionally and financially exhausting for families who have invested heavily in their children’s education.
The parents also alleged that the Dentistry programme had been operating without an approved admission quota since 2021, raising concerns about whether the university met the required standards for training students. They claimed that the regulatory council had not carried out a proper accreditation exercise for the programme since it began, describing the development as unfair to innocent students who only wanted to pursue their academic ambitions.
They called for urgent intervention to prevent what they described as wasted academic years. The group suggested that affected students could be absorbed into the university’s accredited MBBS programme since both Dentistry and Medicine students reportedly share similar foundational courses, lectures, examinations, and clinical training, especially at advanced levels. According to them, such a move would help protect the academic future of the students while authorities work toward resolving the accreditation challenges.
The parents further lamented the financial pressure many families are facing as they struggle to continue paying tuition, accommodation, and upkeep expenses amid the uncertainty. They appealed to the authorities to act quickly and compassionately, stressing that the students should not suffer because of administrative or regulatory problems beyond their control.
Reacting to the protest, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Samuel Odewumi, assured parents and students that the institution was already making efforts to secure accreditation for the Dentistry programme. He explained that the university had completed necessary preparations, including procurement and other requirements, and was getting ready to invite the appropriate regulatory body for an accreditation assessment. He added that the process takes time and cannot be completed immediately, but assured the public that accreditation remains a major priority for the institution.
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