Kebbi Govt Closes College Indefinitely After Students Set Provost's Residence on Fire

The Kebbi State Government has announced the indefinite closure of the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Jega following a violent student protest.

The unrest erupted over allegations that the college management extorted N23 million from students for index registration related to 250 graduating students. During the protest, students set ablaze the residence of the Provost, Alhaji Haruna Saidu-Sauwa, and vandalized his vehicle.

The Commissioner for Higher Education, Alhaji Isah Abubakar-Tunga, stated that the decision to close the college was necessary to prevent further escalation of violence.

He noted that the students' grievances included lack of course accreditation, inadequate facilities such as toilets and potable water, and poor leadership. The government has asked the students to nominate representatives for dialogue and has mandated that the college will remain closed for three weeks to one month. Upon reopening, students must return with their parents and sign an undertaking to behave well and pay for any damaged property.