dental students of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) have raised alarm over a decade-long academic stagnation in their Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme. Despite enrolling since 2015, many of these students remain trapped in an unending academic cycle, unable to graduate or proceed to professional clinical training due to lack of full accreditation by relevant regulatory bodies.
The situation, described by students as both “psychologically draining and academically demoralizing,” has sparked renewed calls for intervention from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), the Federal Ministry of Education, and the Federal Ministry of Health.
Background: A Decade of Frustration and Broken Promises
The UNIJOS Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme was launched in 2015 with the promise of producing competent dental surgeons who would serve the growing population of the North-Central region. However, ten years down the line, not a single student has graduated.
According to the Jos University Dental Students’ Association (JUDENSA), the programme has suffered severe setbacks because it is yet to obtain full clinical accreditation from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), despite repeated assurances from university management and government agencies.
JUDENSA President, Johnson Bisani, lamented that the programme’s stagnation has left hundreds of students stranded, with their professional and personal aspirations indefinitely delayed. He noted that what was originally designed as a six-year course has now stretched into ten years of uncertainty, frustration, and unfulfilled dreams.
Students Speak Out: “We Are Mentally and Emotionally Exhausted”
Speaking on behalf of affected students, Bisani emphasized the emotional toll the situation has taken on them.
“We are psychologically drained. Our hopes are fading, and our future feels uncertain. We enrolled with high expectations, only to find ourselves stuck in a system that has forgotten us,” he said.
Students described how repeated promises from management and government officials have failed to yield tangible progress. Despite numerous letters, meetings, and peaceful protests, the clinical phase of the programme remains unaccredited — meaning students cannot proceed to clinical rotations or sit for professional qualifying examinations.
Attempts to Secure Accreditation: A Partial Victory in 2024
After years of agitation, the students recorded a partial victory in June 2024 when the pre-clinical accreditation phase of the dental programme was approved.
This milestone came after a peaceful protest held in April 2024, during which JUDENSA members drew national attention to their plight. The protest prompted the university management and relevant stakeholders to act swiftly, resulting in the approval of the pre-clinical phase.
However, more than a year after that approval, the clinical accreditation—the critical stage that allows students to begin hospital-based training and clinical practice—has yet to be granted. This delay has effectively rendered the earlier progress meaningless, leaving students once again in limbo.
Regional Importance of the UNIJOS Dental Faculty
The University of Jos Dental Faculty holds a unique and strategic position in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape. It is the only dental faculty in the North-Central region, serving millions of people across Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kogi States.
JUDENSA warned that the continued delay in accrediting the programme could worsen the already critical dentist-to-patient ratio in the region. Currently, the ratio stands at 1:54,000, far above the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended ratio of 1:5,000.
The association stressed that full accreditation would not only help meet Nigeria’s healthcare needs but also promote the development of skilled dental professionals in underserved areas.
Calls for Government and MDCN Intervention
The students have now appealed directly to several authorities, including:
- The Minister of Education
- The Minister of Health
- The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)
- The National Assembly
Their appeal calls for urgent attention to ensure full clinical accreditation, a defined timeline for examinations and graduations, and improved infrastructure for dental training.
They urged the government to recognize that dental education is not merely an academic pursuit but a public health necessity, especially in regions with limited access to oral healthcare.
Impact on Students and the Future of the Dental Profession
The prolonged stagnation has had devastating effects on students. Many have lost valuable years that could have been spent gaining practical experience or pursuing postgraduate training. Some have reportedly dropped out or sought admission in other institutions abroad, adding to Nigeria’s ongoing brain drain crisis.
The students warn that the delay threatens to discourage future generations from pursuing dentistry in Nigerian universities, given the uncertainty surrounding programme accreditation and the slow response from authorities.
Expert Opinions and Institutional Responsibility
Education observers and health sector analysts have described the situation as a failure of institutional accountability. They argue that the continuous delays reflect poor coordination between universities, regulatory agencies, and the government.
Experts have urged the University of Jos to strengthen its collaboration with the MDCN by upgrading its clinical facilities, improving staffing levels, and ensuring compliance with professional standards required for accreditation.
Stakeholders also recommend the establishment of a joint task force between the university and the MDCN to monitor progress and ensure that future batches of students do not experience similar setbacks.
The Students’ Message to the Authorities
In their latest statement, JUDENSA emphasized that their demand is not confrontational but a plea for fairness and progress.
“We are not asking for favors — we are asking for the right to complete our education and serve our nation. The delay has robbed us of time, opportunities, and peace of mind,” the association said.
They reiterated their faith in the Nigerian educational system but warned that continued neglect could force many young professionals to abandon their careers or seek opportunities elsewhere.
Conclusion: A Call for Swift and Decisive Action
The decade-long stagnation of the University of Jos Dental Programme stands as a painful reminder of the challenges facing professional education in Nigeria. While the pre-clinical accreditation in 2024 marked a small step forward, the absence of full clinical accreditation continues to hold students hostage to uncertainty.
As the affected students, parents, and stakeholders renew their calls for help, the Nigerian government and relevant authorities must act swiftly. Ensuring that these future dentists finally complete their training is not just about academic success — it is about restoring hope, dignity, and confidence in Nigeria’s higher education system.
Until decisive action is taken, the story of UNIJOS dental students will remain a powerful symbol of the urgent need for reform, accountability, and compassion in Nigeria’s educational landscape.
