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Kebbi State College of Health Sciences and Technology in Chaos: Students Set Provost's Residence Ablaze Over Alleged Extortion

Yakubu Haruna Yakubu 

Students of the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Jega, Kebbi State, have taken to violent protests, setting the residence of Provost Haruna Saidu-Sauwa on fire amidst allegations of extortion involving N23 million in fees ¹. The students claim that the college administration's demand for an additional N65,000 from each of the 250 graduating students for index registration is an attempt at extortion.

The Spark that Ignited the Unrest

The controversy surrounds a newly introduced public health program, initially affiliated with Reproductive Health and the Public Health Association of Nigeria. The program was later merged with the Environmental Health Department to secure certification, which management cited as the reason for the additional charge. This extra fee came on top of the N30,000 the students had already paid.

The Aftermath

Staff members reportedly fled the campus as the students' protests escalated, with law enforcement agents eventually arriving to restore order. The students also vandalized the provost's vehicle during the unrest. Nafiu Abubakar, Public Relations Officer of the Kebbi State Police Command, confirmed that more details would be available after preliminary investigations are completed.

The College's Response Remains Unclear

While the college's official website outlines its mission and values, including its commitment to producing quality health technicians ¹, the current situation raises concerns about the institution's management and communication with its students. As the investigation unfolds, the college's response to these allegations will be crucial in addressing the students' grievances and restoring order on campus.