Stranded for a Decade: UNIJOS Dental Students Protest Non-Accreditation, Demand Urgent Action

Dozens of dental students from the University of Jos (UNIJOS) on Wednesday staged a protest over the prolonged non-accreditation of their programme, which they say has left them stranded in the university for over ten years without graduation.

The aggrieved students gathered at the university’s permanent site, blocking the main gate and chanting solidarity songs while carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Save us from unending depression,” “Our future is on hold,” “Accredit us now,” and “We are tired of UNIJOS.”

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the President of the Jos University Dental Students Association, Mr. Johnson Titus, said the demonstration was a result of accumulated frustration over the university’s failure to secure accreditation for their course.

“What you see here is the frustration of students who have spent a decade in school without graduating due to the non-accreditation of our programme,” Titus said. “We are calling on the university management and relevant authorities to take immediate action by securing a date for accreditation and addressing the curriculum issues delaying our progress.”

He further faulted the university for admitting students into a programme that lacks accreditation. “No one informed us during admission that the dental programme had not been accredited. If we had known, we would not have applied. Yet, the university continues to list Dentistry on its website as an active programme. The school is responsible for the situation we are in,” he added.

Another student, Nwike Pius, expressed disappointment over the university’s handling of the matter. “The management has not been sincere with us. Each time we seek clarification, we get conflicting information from the school and the Council. Even our attempts to meet with the Vice Chancellor have been ignored,” he said.

Attempts to reach the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Chris Piwuna, were unsuccessful. However, a source close to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, who requested anonymity, said the university was already taking steps to resolve the issue.

According to the source, “The university has opened bidding for N800 million worth of capital projects, including the purchase of new equipment for the dental programme. Last week, the Provost and senior faculty members met with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to secure a date for accreditation. I don’t understand why the students decided to protest now.”

Despite the university’s assurances, the protesting students vowed to continue their demonstration until concrete action is taken and their programme is fully accredited.