Students at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Faculty of Pharmacy have taken to the streets in a bold protest, and the reason is making waves! They are fed up with the endless delays in getting their program accredited. Imagine studying for years, only to find out your whole academic journey might be for nothing. This is the grim reality these students are facing, and they’re demanding answers and action NOW!
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s causing all the heat:
- The Pharmacy program, started way back in 2016, is still struggling to get the green light from crucial bodies like the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN).
- Students claim the university’s management is dropping the ball on providing essential facilities, including functional laboratories and adequate seating.
- Promises of accreditation visits have been repeatedly made and broken, leaving students in limbo about their graduation and future as licensed pharmacists.
- Concerns are rising that the program could face the same fate as the Dentistry program, which reportedly encountered severe accreditation issues.
- A severe shortage of lecturers is also a major concern, with some departments struggling to manage hundreds of students with just a handful of academic staff.
UNICAL Pharmacy Students Stage Fierce Protest
The University of Calabar (UNICAL) campus was abuzz with activity as students from the Faculty of Pharmacy organized a passionate, albeit peaceful, march. Their target? The university’s management, whom they accuse of actively obstructing the much-needed accreditation of their program. These future pharmacists are feeling neglected and abandoned, citing a dire lack of funding and woefully inadequate infrastructure as the main culprits behind the prolonged delays in getting approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN).
Years of Study, Zero Assurance: A Student’s Plight
One affected student, who identified himself as Ndifreke Okowo, shared a heartbreaking account of their ordeal. “We reached 400 level when we were suddenly informed that we had been running an illegal programme. Now, we are in 600 level with no laboratories, no seats, and no assurance that we can graduate as licensed pharmacists,” he lamented. He explained that even though the current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, managed to complete the faculty building, the labs remain empty shells. “Our labs are empty, and some of us sit on the floor during lectures,” Okowo added, highlighting the frustrating cycle of broken promises regarding PCN visits.
A Growing Fear of Program Collapse
The sentiment of despair is shared by many. Iris Johnson, another student, described the situation as “disheartening.” She noted that despite repeated assurances from the university authorities, no concrete progress has been made. “We have been promised several times that the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) would come for accreditation between October and November, but that has not happened. The Vice Chancellor is leaving office soon, and we fear what happened to Dentistry may repeat itself,” she expressed with a heavy heart.
The Lecturer Shortage: Adding Insult to Injury
Beyond the infrastructure and accreditation woes, the students are also grappling with a severe shortage of academic staff. They allege that some departments have a mere two or three lecturers responsible for hundreds of students. This puts immense pressure on both the students and the few lecturers available, compromising the quality of education.
A Plea for Urgent Intervention
The UNICAL pharmacy students are now making a desperate call to action. They are urging the federal and state governments, along with the PCN, to step in immediately. Their plea is clear: prevent the total collapse of the Pharmacy program and safeguard the academic future of hundreds of students who have invested years in pursuing their dreams.
University’s Response: A Silence That Speaks Volumes
When reached for comment, the university’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr. Effiong Eyo, stated he was unaware of the protest and would investigate the matter. Attempts to get a statement from the Vice Chancellor’s office were unsuccessful as of the time of this report. This lack of immediate response only amplifies the students’ frustration and anxiety.
The situation at UNICAL’s Faculty of Pharmacy is a stark reminder of the challenges facing higher education in Nigeria. Ensuring proper accreditation and adequate resources is paramount to producing competent professionals who can serve the nation’s healthcare needs.
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