The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has approved an increase in the admission quota for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), from 75 to 200.
The announcement was made by the Registrar of the Council, Professor Fatima Kyari, following a rigorous and objective re-accreditation exercise conducted by a team of 17 MDCN members at the University.
LEADERSHIP earlier reported that in January 2024, the federal government directed medical and nursing schools to increase their student intake by 100% to address the “Japa” brain drain, which is the mass exodus of healthcare professionals.
The directive was conveyed through a letter from MDCN, instructi g accredited medical schools to double their student intake starting in 2024.
However, in a press statement on Saturday by Dr. Habib Yakoob, Acting Director, Information and University Relations, Prof. Kyari commended the University for its efforts to improve its facilities, while also pointing out the need for further development in key areas, including the number and capacity of resource persons, pathology labs, transportation, and clinical skills support.
Kyari said, “When we talk about quota, we are referring to the resource-based carrying capacity. The members of this re-accreditation team are carefully selected professionals, and their assessments were objective, thorough, and constructive.
“Now, let me put it in perspective: for a quota of 150, you need 450 bed spaces for clinical students, and you currently have 360. For 200, you need 600. But we want to align with your growth aspirations. The nation needs more doctors. Abuja is the centre; it should rise to the occasion. So, we are giving you 200.”
She stressed that the Council would maintain a strong monitoring presence to ensure continued compliance and would support the University’s efforts in building capacity and infrastructure.
“We are not just here to point out what you have or what is lacking,” Kyari added. “We are here to encourage the University to keep working toward meeting all requirements.”
The MDCN Registrar said the quota upgrade aligned with the federal government’s broader goal of expanding access to medical education and addressing the national shortage of doctors.
She stated that, “The Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare has laid out a bold, four-point agenda under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
“At the heart of this is the need to strengthen our healthcare workforce, from training to retention, as the engine for achieving universal health coverage and improved health outcomes for all Nigerians.
“Our task was guided by existing standards, including infrastructure adequacy, faculty strength, student-to-resource ratio, clinical training exposure, and the overall governance structure of the medical school.
“We also recognise the Presidential vision and the current national imperative to scale up training in response to health workforce shortages, but this must be done in a manner that safeguards patient safety and professional competence.”
In her response, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patricia Manko Lar, expressed appreciation to the MDCN for the re-accreditation exercise.
Lar said, “The joy we feel regarding this announcement is boundless. We opened all our doors, there was no cover-up. We did our best, and the constructive feedback from the MDCN will push us to aim even higher.
“We have been working tirelessly to grow this University and ensure our College of Health Sciences meets global standards. I am proud to be leading the University at this critical moment. Even if I am no longer in office when my tenure is completed, I am confident that a solid foundation has been laid, and progress will continue.”
