The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has officially approved a significant increase in the admission quota for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme at the University of Abuja, expanding from 75 to 200 students.
This major development followed a thorough and objective re-accreditation exercise conducted by a 17-member MDCN team, led by the Council’s Registrar, Professor Fatima Kyari. The announcement was made during an official visit to the University’s main campus.
Improved Accreditation, Expanded Capacity
During the announcement, Professor Kyari praised the University for its visible efforts in improving its medical training infrastructure and capacity. She acknowledged the notable strides the University has made but also emphasized areas requiring further development such as:
- Clinical skills laboratories
- Pathology facilities
- Transportation and mobility for clinical rotations
- Recruitment and capacity building for academic and medical personnel
She reiterated MDCN’s commitment to maintaining a robust monitoring system to ensure sustained compliance and support in scaling up the University’s infrastructure and quality of training.
University of Abuja Responds with Gratitude
In response, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Patricia Manko Lar, expressed heartfelt appreciation to MDCN for the re-accreditation and the opportunity to serve more aspiring medical students.
“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,” she stated.
Professor Lar highlighted the administration’s commitment to elevating the College of Health Sciences to meet global standards and applauded the teamwork that made the successful re-accreditation possible.
What This Means for Aspiring Medical Students
The increase in the admission quota is great news for UTME and Direct Entry candidates who wish to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Abuja. With the approval to admit 200 students annually, the University becomes one of the top federal institutions with a high intake capacity for MBBS programmes in Nigeria.
This is a major opportunity for qualified candidates seeking medical education in a federal university with growing facilities and international ambition.
Conclusion
The expansion of the MBBS admission quota at the University of Abuja marks a milestone achievement for the institution and a positive shift in Nigeria’s medical education landscape. As the University continues to build capacity and improve standards, stakeholders across the education and health sectors are optimistic about its future impact.
