The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has approved a significant increase in the admission quota for the Medicine and Surgery program at the University of Abuja, raising it from 75 to 200 students.
This development was announced during a re-accreditation visit to the university’s College of Health Sciences by a 17-member delegation from the MDCN, led by the Registrar, Professor Fatima Kyari. The decision aligns with a federal government directive to expand medical training opportunities across the country in response to Nigeria’s growing healthcare workforce demands.
Professor Kyari commended the University of Abuja for its progress in meeting MDCN standards but emphasized the need for further improvements in infrastructure to accommodate the increased intake. Among the recommended upgrades are expanding the university’s bed capacity from the current 360 to at least 600, enhancing laboratory and clinical training facilities, boosting staff strength, and providing adequate transportation support for medical students.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Patricia Manko Lar, expressed appreciation to the MDCN for the approval and described the accreditation process as professional, fair, and constructive. She assured the council that the university is committed to implementing the recommendations and maintaining high standards in its medical education.
The quota increase is expected to take effect in the next academic session and marks a major milestone in the university’s effort to contribute meaningfully to the national healthcare system.
