By Frank Ulom
The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has announced that it will not admit candidates into its Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, and Medical Laboratory Science programmes for the 2026/2027 academic session following a directive from the relevant professional regulatory bodies.
The decision was contained in a memo issued by the Office of the Registrar, dated July 23, 2026, with reference number UC/REG/CIR/138, and addressed to the university community.
According to the memo, the university’s Senate reached the decision during its 257th meeting held on Thursday, July 23, after considering a directive received from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN).
The directive affects admissions into the following programmes for the 2026/2027 academic session:
- Medicine and Surgery
- Dentistry
- Medical Laboratory Science
The university consequently advised all candidates who applied for the affected programmes to immediately process a change of programme through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal and select other related courses.
“The JAMB window for Change of Programme is open until July 31, 2026,” the memo stated.
UNICAL also clarified that it is not the only institution affected by the regulatory directive, noting that three other universities were equally impacted.
While expressing regret over the development, the university apologised for the inconvenience caused to affected candidates, their parents and guardians.
“Management regrets any inconvenience this decision may have caused our candidates, guardians and their parents,” the memo signed by the Registrar, Dr (Mrs) Chukwuka I. Icha, stated.
The announcement comes amid ongoing efforts by professional regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with accreditation standards and approved admission quotas for medical-related programmes across Nigerian universities.
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