Concerned students of the College of Nursing Science, Jalingo in Taraba State, have criticized the institution’s Provost, Esther Gana, accusing her of mismanagement and poor leadership.
In a statement made available to journalists on Saturday, the students highlighted a decline in academic standards and called on the state government to urgently intervene.
The students’ demand is coming on the heels of The Concerned Youths Group drumming support for the embattled provost.
The students, however, described the youths group as a “fake and a mischievous entity,” that is attempting to distract the public from the institution’s challenges.
“We categorically disassociate ourselves from The Concerned Youths Group and their baseless statements. With due respect, mama provost, you are tired—please step aside,” the statement read.
Citing fear of victimization, the group requested anonymity, while outlining issues allegedly plaguing the college under the provost’s leadership.
These, they said, include claims of student exploitation, financial burden, inadequate academic and infrastructural improvement, and alleged misuse of funds for propaganda purposes.
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The students also pointed to the college’s poor performance in the November 2024 nursing council examinations, where only eight percent of students reportedly passed, as evidence of the institution’s declining standards.
“Since her tenure began, the college has seen a dramatic decline in academic standards. The poor results are a direct consequence of the provost’s failure to provide an enabling study environment,” they said.
The group further demanded the release of the nursing council examination results for the past two years, to ensure transparency and accountability, warning that the institution risked losing accreditation again, as it did in the past.
“We fear that this trend mirrors the circumstances that previously led to the college losing accreditation and facing a decade-long admission embargo. History must not repeat itself,” the statement added.
The students appealed to Governor Agbu Kefas to address the crisis and protect the institution’s reputation and the state government’s integrity.
