Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has donated ₦20 million to the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) to assist over 400 dental students facing possible expulsion due to accreditation challenges.
The donation, announced on Thursday, July 24, 2025, is intended to address the faculty’s lack of critical training equipment and infrastructural shortfalls. These issues arose after the university admitted students far beyond the annual quota of 10 approved by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), putting many students at risk of being unable to graduate or be inducted as dental surgeons.
During a visit to UNICAL, Obi was warmly received by students and staff. He emphasized that no student should be denied education due to the failure of institutions to meet regulatory standards, stating, “Education is a right, not a privilege. We must support our institutions and protect the future of our young professionals.”
The ₦20 million will be used to procure essential items such as dental chairs and laboratory equipment in line with MDCN accreditation requirements. University officials have indicated that the intervention will significantly advance efforts to resolve the faculty’s accreditation problems.
This follows a similar act by Obi earlier in the year, when he donated ₦15 million to the Dental Students Association at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His recent actions reflect a consistent commitment to improving education and healthcare across the country.
The Faculty of Dentistry at UNICAL expressed deep appreciation, noting that the donation came at a critical moment and could be instrumental in securing the future of hundreds of students. The university has pledged to begin procurement promptly and provide regular updates on progress.
