Some of the students outside the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja
The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'i has reversed Tuesday's decision to suspend four programmes from the University of Abuja.
The decision came after students protested on Wednesday and Thursday against the suspension.
She has however given the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. James Adelabu, six months to get everything ready for the accreditation of the four departments.
She also left open the option for students who want to transfer to do so. Another meeting between the ministry and the students has been scheduled for Thursday next week.
Aggrieved students from the departments of Medicine, Veterinary medicine, Engineering and Agriculture at the University of Abuja this morning stormed the headquarters of the ministry and refused to accept the explanations of the minister on why their courses were suspended on Tuesday. After a stalemate that lasted close to two hours, the students selected representatives to dialogue with the minister on their demands.
They were asking that they should be allowed to complete their courses and graduate from the University of Abuja.
Some of the students praying during the protest
Their demands are that the minister should reverse her earlier pronouncement and ensure the provision of necessary equipment required for accreditation.
The minister had replied them earlier in the day that the decision was in their interest and that there were no immediate solutions for them to graduate.
She said that even if the facilities were provided, it would take at least two years for them to graduate.
Also, she told them, accreditation does not fall in the jurisdiction of the National Universities Commission alone because there are also other regulatory bodies who have also stamped their disapproval on the programmes.
The students however refused the proposal. Her offer of a dialogue with representatives of the students in her office was initially rebuffed by the students.
The students had on Wednesday halted the flow of traffic along the Umaru Musa Yar'adua Expressway for over two hours while protesting the suspension. This led the school authorities to order the immediate closure of the institution yesterday evening till further notice and instructed all students to vacate their hostels.
This is incredible. What is happening to Nigeria for God's sake? Remember all of us that are opportune to be leaders on this Earth will be held liable and/or accountable in the Hereafter. You are entrusted with public fund, you squander it to yourselves alone sending your own children to school overseas while the children of the masses you prostrate accrediting their programmes. It's a pity.
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