The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has approved a landmark admission quota of 350 for Medicine and Dentistry at the College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, the highest ever allocated to any medical school in Nigeria.
The approval follows a comprehensive accreditation exercise by a high-level MDCN team, which evaluated the institution’s infrastructure, staffing strength, and clinical training capacity across its teaching hospitals.
Announcing the development in Enugu, MDCN Deputy Registrar, Nnaemeka Nwakanma, said the decision was driven purely by verifiable improvements on ground, emphasizing that the Council prioritises tangible performance over promises.
“We do not accredit intentions; we accredit what is physically available at the time of assessment,” he stated, reaffirming the Council’s strict stance on compliance with approved quotas.
Nwakanma, who led the accreditation team, praised the rapid transformation of the university’s teaching hospital, describing it as a well-coordinated development hub despite the scale of ongoing construction.
“What may look like disorder is actually a structured and strategic expansion effort. It reflects leadership focused on delivering results,” he noted.
He highlighted the construction of a new Accident and Emergency Unit as a major milestone, noting that the Council had only recommended an upgrade during its previous visit.
“We asked for expansion, but what we found was the construction of a completely new facility. That is commendable,” he said.
The team also inspected the revitalised Colliery Hospital and a new 300-bed International Hospital, which Nwakanma described as a potential game-changer in Nigeria’s healthcare system. He noted that the facility could help curb the growing trend of outbound medical tourism.
“Apart from the African Centre of Medical Excellence in Abuja, this project stands out as a beacon of hope for reversing medical tourism,” he added.
Reiterating the importance of adherence to standards, the MDCN official warned institutions against exceeding approved quotas.
“The quota reflects your capacity. You may admit fewer students, but never exceed the approved number. Maintaining standards is critical to the future of medical education in Nigeria,” he stressed.
Responding, ESUT Vice Chancellor, Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, welcomed the approval and pledged to swiftly address any gaps identified during the assessment.
“We are committed to producing well-trained medical professionals. All identified issues will be resolved within the shortest possible time,” he assured.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Yomi Jaye, reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to sustained investment in healthcare and medical education.
“The commitment of Governor Peter Mbah is unwavering. Any gaps identified will be addressed promptly,” he said.
He further commended the collaborative efforts of key stakeholders, including the Provost of the College, Uchenna Ekwochi, and the Chief Medical Director of ESUT Teaching Hospital, Bethrand Ugwu, noting that teamwork and a conducive environment played a vital role in securing the approval.
