Kebbi Govt Shuts Down Health College As Students Set Provost’s Residence Ablaze

Governor Nasir Idris’s government of Kebbi State has ordered the immediate closure of the College of Health Technology, Jega, following a violent protest by students.

Naijaonpoint understands that the trouble started after angry students from the institution stormed the Provost’s residence and damaged his car.

The protest began after claims that the college administration forced the students to pay ₦23m for index registration for 250 graduating students.

A person with knowledge of the situation told The PUNCH that the dispute started with the launch of a new Public Health program, which was initially linked to the Reproductive Health and Public Health Association of Nigeria.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, explained that the college combined the program with the Department of Environmental Health to obtain accreditation.

This led to a request for an extra ₦65,000 from each student for index registration apart from the ₦30,000 they had already paid.

Charging the administration with extortion, the students reacted aggressively by damaging vehicles and burning the provost’s home.

The development forced some college staff to flee in terror before the police showed up.

Reacting, the State Commissioner for Higher Education, Isah Abubakar Tunga, announced on Thursday that the college has been shut down immediately.

He said the action was necessary to prevent further escalation of unrest.

Tunga assured that a committee would investigate the incident, and those responsible would face consequences.

Naijaonpoint understands that the college will remain closed for three weeks to a month.