The National Association of University Students (NAUS) has called for urgent steps to resolve the crisis affecting Dentistry students at the University of Calabar (UNICAL). Following a fact-finding mission, NAUS reported that the crisis, caused by poor administration and a lack of equipment, has stalled the progress of hundreds of students.
NAUS Deputy President, Comrade Meshach Nwankwo, stated that the issue predates the current Vice Chancellor, who has made efforts to address the problem since assuming office in 2020. Despite reforms, the Department of Dentistry continues to suffer from inadequate staffing and a severe shortage of dental chairs. “They have only 26 chairs, yet every student should have one,” he said. NAUS urged UNICAL to seek emergency funding and requested that the Education Minister expedite the approval process. The group also appealed to wealthy alumni to support the cause, stressing the need to protect students’ future.
