In a message shared on his official Facebook page, former presidential candidate Peter Obi has once again emphasized the urgent need to protect students from the consequences of leadership and institutional shortcomings. His statement followed his recent visit to the Faculty of Dental Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he was met with troubling reports about an ongoing crisis affecting dental students at the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
Obi expressed concern over the situation surrounding the students’ graduation and induction quota, an issue that has reportedly caused unrest and uncertainty. While details of the matter are still emerging, he acknowledged the Vice Chancellor’s recent public reassurance that steps are being taken to resolve the situation. Obi commended the VC’s commitment and expressed hope that it would result in a positive and timely resolution.
Irrespective of the cause of the issue, Obi asserted that students must not be penalized for what he described as failures in leadership. Emphasizing the importance of education—especially in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)—he stressed that the educational journey of students should not be disrupted due to administrative or institutional inefficiencies. According to him, students must be allowed to complete their education as planned, without sacrificing academic standards.
Drawing from personal experience, Obi recounted a similar challenge he faced during his tenure as Governor of Anambra State. He narrated how the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria once withdrew accreditation from the medical faculty of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University due to the absence of a teaching hospital, a mandatory requirement. At the time, students who had already spent three to four years studying medicine were abruptly informed that they could only graduate with degrees in biology or other related fields.
Obi recalled that this crisis occurred within the first year of his administration, and he made a conscious decision not to let the students suffer for problems they didn’t create. He appealed to the Council, took full responsibility for the lapses, and committed to building a fully equipped teaching hospital within two years. Although the Council initially doubted the feasibility of such a project within that timeframe, Obi persisted, driven by his belief that leaders must always find solutions—especially when young lives and futures are at stake.
True to his word, Obi delivered the project in under 18 months, completing and inaugurating what is now known as the Odumegwu-Ojukwu Teaching Hospital in Awka. The facility not only resolved the accreditation issue but continues to serve as a cornerstone for medical training and healthcare delivery in the region.
Obi now calls on the Federal Government to treat the UNICAL dental students’ situation with the urgency it demands. He urged the authorities to provide both financial resources and institutional backing to the university leadership, especially the Vice Chancellor, to enable swift and effective resolution of the problem. He emphasized that students must never be made victims of problems beyond their control.
In concluding his message, Obi highlighted the broader issues of neglect in education and healthcare, warning that Nigeria cannot continue on a path where youth development is sacrificed while scarce resources are wasted on unproductive ventures. He affirmed that children must not be robbed of their future due to a broken system.
“Our nation must prioritize education, health, and poverty eradication if we are to move forward,” he said. “We must not allow our students to suffer because of leadership inefficiencies. A New Nigeria is POssible.”
— Peter Obi, via Facebook