Chukwu Obinna 
ONDO, Nigeria – Academic activities grind to a halt at the Ondo College of Health Technology in Akure as hundreds of students stage a protest over alleged financial exploitation and years of infrastructural neglect.
The students barricade the institution’s main entrance early Monday, lighting fires and displaying placards reading “Stop Extortion Now” and “No Solution, No Exams”, while vowing to boycott lectures and examinations.
Student representative Adeola Ibiroke accuses the college management of imposing unjustified fees despite deteriorating living and learning conditions.
“There is no water, no steady electricity and no functional laboratories,” Ibiroke tells journalists. “Our classrooms are dilapidated, there are no hostels, yet the management keeps demanding money from students whose parents are already struggling.”
She alleges that some lecturer’s demand money for textbooks and assignments, describing the institution as a “money-making machine”.
According to Ibiroke, repeated attempts to engage school authorities through formal channels fail, leaving students with no option but to protest.
“This demonstration is long overdue,” she says. “We are tired of being ignored.”
College rector Emoruwa Oluwole Oluwanbe dismisses the allegations, saying the Ondo State Government has intervened and scheduled a meeting with stakeholders.
He promises to respond fully after consultations.
The students, however, insist the protest will continue until concrete steps are taken to address what they describe as systemic neglect and exploitation.
About the Author
Juliet Jacob 
Korede Abdullah 
