By ISAIAH EKA

Some parents of Dentistry students at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) have decried the non-accreditation of the institution’s Faculty of Dentistry.

The parents who made the expression at a news conference in Uyo on Friday, said that no fewer than 147 students risked being academically stranded.

Mr Sunday Elijah, the Chairman, Forum of Parents of Dental Students, UNIUYO, said that steps should be taken to accredit the programme.

Represented by Mr Vincent Udoh, Elijah said that the Faculty of Dentistry in UNIUYO had not been accredited at both the preclinical and clinical levels.

“As at April 2026, the university has not invited the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for an advisory or accreditation visit.

“The pioneer batch is currently in its final year. The students should not be left academically or professionally stranded due to circumstances beyond their control,” he said.

He identified lack of equipped dental clinics, or oral biology laboratories, insufficient dental chairs and phantom heads as part of the challenges.

The chairman urged the Federal Government to support the university management to produce an actionable plan towards addressing the challenges.

Reacting, the acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Samuel Odewumi, said that the university was committed towards securing accreditation for the Dentistry programme.

Odewumi said that arrangements were underway to invite the MDCN to assess the facilities for accreditation.

He assured the parents and students that the challenge of accreditation would soon be over.

“If there is anything I have been concerned about since I came in here, it is this issue of accreditation,” he said. (NAN)