Medical Lab Students in Taraba university protest for Accreditation
Taraba State University’s chapter of the National Association of Medical Laboratory Science Students (NIMELSSA) took to protest for long-awaited accreditation to the doorstep of the Vice-Chancellor’s office.
The procession, which commenced at the Faculty of Health Science and culminated at the Vice-Chancellor’s office, was attended by a multitude of students, including recent graduates. The persistent delay in accreditation had provoked frustration among the student body, with fears that even current 500-level students, spanning from 400 to 100 levels, could face a bleak future if immediate action was not taken.
The demonstration caught the attention of the university’s administration, prompting the Vice-Chancellor to respond.
NIMELSSA President, Clifford Tafon represented the students and conveyed their collective demand for accreditation and the resolution of associated practical issues.
In response, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the National Universities Commission (NUC) would be visiting on November 25-26, 2023, and the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) had also notified the university about an impending evaluation. The Vice-Chancellor requested a memorandum of understanding from the students to ensure swift progress towards accreditation.
However, some students were dissatisfied with this response, feeling that their concerns were not being taken seriously. Following persuasion from the Student Representative Assembly and NIMELSSA leadership, the protesters reluctantly disbanded, with a clear warning that they would return within 24 hours if their demands were not met.
NIMELSSA President Clifford Tafon emphasized, “We are not against the school, but all we want is accreditation, not to graduate and end up at home like our senior colleagues are now doing.”