College students protest over N23m extortion, set provost’s residence ablaze in Kebbi

Students of the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Jega, Kebbi State, have set fire to the residence of Provost Haruna Saidu-Sauwa and vandalized his vehicles during a violent protest.

The unrest was sparked by allegations that the college management extorted N23 million from 250 graduating students in index registration fees.

The dispute centers around a newly introduced public health programme, initially aligned with the Reproductive Health and Public Health Association of Nigeria, which was later merged with the Environmental Health Department for certification.

As a result, students were asked to pay an additional N65,000 for index registration, on top of the N30,000 they had already paid.

Frustrated, the students resorted to violence, damaging property before security personnel intervened.

Kebbi Police Command spokesperson Nafiu Abubakar confirmed the incident, with further details expected from the Divisional Police Officer in Jega.

This incident raises concerns about the institution’s transparency and ethical practices.