NANS demands resolution of Atiba University law programme crisis

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the management of Atiba University, Oyo State, demanding the immediate resolution of regulatory challenges surrounding its Law programme, which have left several students and graduates unable to proceed to the Nigerian Law School.

In a press statement signed by the NANS President, Dist. Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, and made available to journalists on Wednesday, the student body raised concerns over the academic standing of affected students, some of whom enrolled as far back as 2020. The association noted that despite fulfilling all academic requirements, passing examinations and paying substantial tuition fees, the students remain stranded due to lingering recognition and approval issues involving the Council of Legal Education.

NANS condemned the situation as entirely unacceptable, emphasising that students should not be made to suffer the consequences of administrative and regulatory failures completely outside their control.

Expressing dismay over allegations that the university has continued to admit new students and collect tuition fees for the unaccredited programme, NANS criticised the management for demonstrating an apparent lack of urgency and empathy towards repeated appeals from the affected cohort.

To address the impasse, NANS outlined five key directives for the university management to fulfil within seven days.

The demands require the institution to provide a clear and credible pathway for eligible graduates to enter the Nigerian Law School, publish an accurate census of all law students admitted during periods of regulatory limitations, publicly disclose all official communications with the Council of Legal Education, release a transparent audit of student fees and academic records, and immediately open direct negotiations with student delegates and NANS leadership.

Reiterating that higher education institutions have a fundamental responsibility to ensure that professional degrees are properly regulated, NANS warned that it would take decisive action if the university failed to act within the stipulated timeframe.

Comrade Akinteye stated unequivocally that the student body would not stand by while years of financial and academic investment were treated with indifference.

Should the management of Atiba University fail to present concrete steps and verifiable records to resolve the crisis before the seven-day deadline expires, the national leadership of NANS declared that it would relocate its National Secretariat directly to the university campus and remain there until all demands were satisfactorily met.