Kebbi State Government Closes College of Health Technology in Jega Due to Student Demonstration

The Kebbi State Government has announced the temporary closure of the College of Health Technology in Jega due to a student demonstration.

In a press release issued in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital and obtained by TROVE online MEDIA, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Isah Abubakar-Tunga, explained that the decision was made to prevent the demonstration from escalating and potentially getting out of control.

Abubakar-Tunga instructed all students to vacate the college immediately. The students, who were set to begin their examinations next week, were reportedly very angry.

He, however, praised the efforts of Sarkin Jega, who, according to him, used his influence to help calm the situation.

In an attempt to further defuse the tension and identify the root cause of the problem, the commissioner’s entourage requested that the rampaging students select and present ten representatives for dialogue.

During discussions with the students’ representatives, Abubakar-Tunga said the students outlined some of their grievances, which included the lack of accreditation for certain courses offered by the college.

“The students explained that the courses at the college only have state recognition, not federal, meaning that upon graduation, they will be awarded ordinary diplomas, not national diploma certificates.”

Other grievances, according to him, included the lack of toilets, absence of potable water, poor sanitary conditions, and bad leadership, among others.

The commissioner promised to set up a committee to investigate the main cause of the unrest and assess the extent of the damage. He assured that anyone found guilty, whether a student or a teacher, would face the full force of the law, regardless of their position.

He added that the college would remain closed for three weeks to a month, and assured that every student returning would be required to come with their parents and sign an undertaking.