A wave of tension has gripped the University of Calabar (UNICAL) following a major protest by students of the Faculty of Pharmacy, who took to the streets within the campus to decry the institution’s persistent failure to secure accreditation for their programme. The students, some of whom are already in their final year, expressed deep frustration over the delay that threatens their future as professional pharmacists.
The peaceful demonstration drew wide attention as protesters carried placards and chanted solidarity songs, demanding immediate action from the university management and regulatory authorities. Their grievances center on poor infrastructure, inadequate staffing, and years of unfulfilled promises about the accreditation process.
Background: Years of Waiting and Broken Promises
The Faculty of Pharmacy at UNICAL was reportedly established in 2016 during the tenure of former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Zana Akpagu. At its inception, the programme was expected to secure approval from both the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN). However, nearly a decade later, the faculty remains unaccredited, leaving students uncertain about their academic and professional future.
According to protesting students, multiple assurances have been made over the years that the PCN would visit the campus for accreditation, but none of those visits ever materialized. Some students revealed that when they reached 400 level, they were shocked to hear that their course was being considered “illegal” due to the absence of proper approval from relevant authorities.
The situation, they say, has worsened as they near graduation. Many fear that without accreditation, they may end up with degrees that cannot qualify them to practice pharmacy anywhere in Nigeria or abroad.
Students’ Outcry: ‘We Are Being Set Up For Failure’
The protesting students lamented the deplorable learning conditions and the lack of basic facilities needed for effective pharmaceutical education. They described the faculty’s laboratories as empty rooms, devoid of standard equipment and practical materials.
One of the student leaders, Ndifreke Okowo, voiced the collective frustration:
“We have suffered continuous setbacks because the university has failed to meet the basic standards set by NUC and PCN. We are in 600 level now, yet there are no laboratories, no chairs, no practical sessions, and no assurance that we can graduate as licensed pharmacists. It is painful and discouraging.”
Another final-year student, Iris Johnson, added that despite several promises, the management has failed to act decisively:
“We have been promised over and over that the PCN will come for accreditation, but that has never happened. Now, the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure is ending soon, and we are scared the issue will be forgotten. We do not want what happened to the Dentistry students to happen to us.”
Inside the Faculty: Infrastructure in Shambles
The Faculty of Pharmacy at UNICAL reportedly faces dire infrastructural decay. Classrooms are overcrowded, many with broken furniture and insufficient seating. In some cases, students reportedly sit on the floor during lectures.
Laboratories—critical to pharmaceutical education—are either empty or under-equipped. Essential tools for experiments, compounding, and formulation are missing. Moreover, some departments reportedly have only two or three lecturers responsible for hundreds of students, drastically reducing academic effectiveness.
These deficiencies, according to the students, are among the major reasons why the PCN has withheld accreditation.
University’s Response
When contacted for clarification, the University’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Effiong Eyo, stated that he was not yet aware of the situation but would make inquiries into the matter. His response, however, did little to calm the students, who argue that the administration has been aware of the issue for years but has failed to take visible corrective steps.
Observers say the protest is a symptom of a deeper institutional problem—one that reflects inadequate funding, poor prioritization of academic infrastructure, and weak regulatory enforcement in Nigerian higher education.
Ripple Effects: The Shadow of Dentistry’s Accreditation Crisis
The Pharmacy students’ protest comes barely months after UNICAL’s Dentistry graduates faced a similar fate. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) had refused to induct several graduates of the Faculty of Dentistry, citing quota violations and accreditation concerns.
This precedent has intensified anxiety among Pharmacy students, who now fear their degrees may become worthless if urgent measures are not taken. The issue, they argue, shows a pattern of neglect and mismanagement within the university’s health sciences faculties.
Implications for Students and the Institution
| Stakeholder | Implication |
|---|---|
| Students | Risk of graduating without valid professional recognition, making them ineligible for licensure as pharmacists. |
| University | Possible damage to reputation, loss of student trust, and reduced enrolment in future academic sessions. |
| Regulatory Bodies (NUC & PCN) | Increased public pressure to enforce strict oversight and ensure universities comply with accreditation standards. |
| Parents and Guardians | Financial losses and emotional distress over their children’s uncertain academic outcomes. |
Expert Opinion: Accreditation Is Non-Negotiable
Educational experts have stressed that accreditation is not merely a bureaucratic exercise—it ensures that a programme meets the minimum academic and professional standards required to produce competent graduates.
For pharmacy, accreditation by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria is mandatory before graduates can be registered to practice. The absence of such certification means that UNICAL’s pharmacy graduates, no matter how academically sound, may not be recognized as professional pharmacists.
Analysts argue that this situation undermines Nigeria’s healthcare system, as it limits the supply of qualified professionals while wasting years of student effort.
Calls for Urgent Action
Students have called on the university management, the NUC, and the PCN to urgently address the accreditation issue before the current academic session ends. They are also appealing to the Federal Government and the Ministry of Education to intervene and prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
Civil society groups and student unions have joined their voices, emphasizing that students should not bear the brunt of institutional failure. They insist that accreditation delays not only destroy careers but also erode confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
Broader Educational Concerns in Nigeria
UNICAL’s case is not an isolated one. Across Nigeria, many faculties and programmes face similar accreditation challenges due to poor infrastructure, insufficient staffing, and inadequate funding. The National Universities Commission often lists several unaccredited courses across universities each year, sparking nationwide concern.
Experts believe that the root of the problem lies in underfunding, lack of accountability, and the tendency of universities to launch new programmes without ensuring that they meet minimum operational standards.
