UNIJOS Dental Students Protest Over 10-Year Graduation Delay

Students of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) have staged protests, expressing frustration over a decade-long delay in completing their studies.

The students, who enrolled in the programme in 2015, say they have yet to graduate due to pending accreditation for the clinical phase of their course According to the students, the programme was initially designed to last six years, but they have now spent 10 years in the university without completing their final examinations. While the pre-clinical phase of accreditation was reportedly granted, the clinical phase—critical for graduation—has not yet been approved, stalling the students’ progress The students described their ordeal as a “painful and disturbing experience,” citing emotional stress and financial strain resulting from extended years of tuition without graduation. They also warned that the prolonged delay affects not only their individual futures but also healthcare delivery, as UNIJOS is the only institution offering dental training in Nigeria’s North-Central zone JUDENSA, the university’s dental students’ association, is calling for urgent intervention by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), relevant government authorities, and the university management. The students are demanding a clear timeline for accreditation, examinations, and formal induction, as well as recognition for the pioneer class and others affected by the delay The situation has drawn widespread concern about institutional accountability, regulatory processes, and the impact of prolonged academic delays on students and the healthcare system. The university is yet to issue an official response, and stakeholders are awaiting concrete measures to resolve the decade-long impasse.