A Federal High Court in Calabar has ordered the University of Calabar (UNICAL) to pay ₦55 million to eight engineering students, popularly known as the “UNICAL 8.”
The court ruled that the university acted illegally and recklessly by admitting students into an engineering programme without proper accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Justice R. O. Dugbo-Oghoghorie awarded ₦50 million as general damages and ₦5.247 million as special damages for the psychological trauma and academic setback suffered by the students.
The case followed the 2021 demotion of over 200 engineering students, who were moved from final and third year back to second year.
The university says it will release an official response soon.