DENTAL STUDENTS PROTEST AGAINST 10 YEARS IN UNIJOS WITHOUT GRADUATION

Read Time:2 Minute, 54 Second

HOTJIST NEWS

Numerous dental students from the University of Jos have taken to the streets to express their dissatisfaction regarding the lack of accreditation for their programs, which has led to them spending over a decade in the institution without obtaining their degrees.

On Wednesday, the students obstructed the university‘s entrance at its Permanent site, chanting solidarity anthems and wielding placards inscribed with various messages, including “Rescue us from perpetual despair,” “Our future is delayed,” “Accredit us now,” and “We are fatigued by UNIJOS,” among others.

The President of the Jos University Dental Students Association, Mr. Johnson Titus, who represented the students, urged the administration to address their concerns and offer a resolution to their situation.

‘”What you see behind me is the frustration of dental students who have been in the university for the past ten years without graduating. We have been stagnating because of the non-accreditation of our programme

“The students are calling on the university management and relevant authorities to come forth and address their issues, which include getting a date for accreditation and resolving the curriculum problems,” Titus said

The student representative who held the university accountable for their circumstances remarked, “No one ought to hold us responsible since, when the university conducts evaluations and admissions, they typically do not communicate to students that the program in question lacks accreditation.

“The University of Jos failed to notify anyone that there is no accreditation for the dental programs for which we were accepted. Had we been aware, we likely would not have pursued the course. ”

“And also, if the university knew that there is no accreditation, why would they put Dentistry on their website for students to apply for admission. We feel the university is still at fault for the situation we have found ourselves.”

Another student, Nwike Pius, conveyed exasperation regarding the university’s absence of authenticity in addressing the issue, stating, “The institution has not been honest with us, as we receive conflicting narratives from them, and upon verification, we encounter another disparate account from the Council. ”

“The students have tried to reach out to the Vice Chancellor, but their efforts have been met with silence.”

However, the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Chris Piwuna, was not available when contacted on the issue, but a source close to the Vice Chancellor, Prof Tanko Ishaya, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorised to speak said that the university management was doing everything possible to address the matter.

He stated that the university had opened bidding for N800m capital projects, including the purchase of equipment for the dental programme, and that the Provost and senior faculty members met with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to get a date for accreditation

“I don’t know why the students chose this day to protest because the university management is doing something to address their issue.

“I know their matter has lingered, but as I’m talking with you, the university has opened bidding for N800m capital projects, including the purchase of their equipment.

“The bid was opened just last week. On the issue of accreditation, just last week, the Provost and senior people in the faculty met with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to get a date for the accreditation of their programme. What else do they want?” the source said.

The students, however, remain resolute, saying they won’t vacate the university gate until their demands are met.