Parents of students in the Dentistry programme of the University of Uyo have staged a protest over the continued non‑accreditation of the course, warning that their children’s academic and professional futures are at risk.

Operating under the banner of the Forum of Parents of Dental Students, the protesters gathered in Uyo with placards bearing messages such as “Do not normalise extra years for professional students” and “Save the future of UniUyo Dental Students now.” They accused the university of admitting students into a programme that lacks the regulatory approval required for them to qualify as dental surgeons.

Addressing journalists, the Forum’s chairman, Sunday Elijah, represented by Otuekong Vincent Udoh, said the students had fulfilled all academic and financial obligations, yet face uncertainty because the programme has not been accredited by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

He criticised the university for admitting “40 or more” students into 100 and 200 levels despite having no approved quota for Dentistry, contrasting this with other institutions that, he said, admit as few as 10 students per class in line with their facilities and accreditation status. The situation, he argued, raises serious questions about compliance and training capacity.

Elijah further lamented that the university management had not invited the Medical and Dental Council for even an advisory visit. He urged the institution, alongside federal and state authorities, to adopt urgent measures so that students already in advanced stages of training are not stranded.

As an immediate remedy, the Forum called for the merger of 300‑, 400‑ and 500‑level dental students into the accredited Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery programme. Elijah noted that both programmes share the same foundational courses, examinations and clinical postings, and that the MBBS quota has not been exceeded in the affected classes.

According to him, the integration would be “reasonable and academically justified” because dental students have taken the same Part I and Part II Bachelor of Medicine examinations and progressed through identical clinical rotations in Medicine and Surgery.

The parents also appealed to the Medical and Dental Council to “show clemency” by holding the university accountable without punishing students for institutional failures.

Responding, the Acting Vice‑Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof Samuel Odewumi, acknowledged the concerns and said securing accreditation for Dentistry remains a top priority. He maintained that the university has awarded contracts and taken other steps toward meeting the required standards and is preparing to invite the council for an accreditation visit.