The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has criticised the National Universities Commission (NUC) for failing to properly regulate and monitor admission quotas for professional courses in universities.
News About Nigeria reports that this was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Senate President of NANS, Comrade Akinteye Afeez.
This lack of oversight has allowed universities to admit more students than they can adequately train, going against the guidelines set by professional bodies.
This neglect has resulted in many students, particularly those in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) programmes, being left in a difficult situation.
Despite completing their studies, some MLS graduates have been unable to take their professional exams or get indexed, even years after graduation.
This has hindered their career prospects and wasted their potential contributions to society.
“It is alarming that certain university administrations admit more students than they can adequately train, fully aware that these students will not be able to obtain the necessary licences to practice upon graduation,” the statement reads.
“This malpractice has created a dire situation where many students, particularly those in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) programmes, have been left in limbo. Some MLS graduates have been unable to write their professional exams or gain indexing, despite having completed their studies as far back as seven years ago.
“This unacceptable situation has resulted in graduates being unable to work in their chosen fields, despite having invested years of their lives and substantial resources into their education. The inability to take professional exams not only hampers their career prospects but also wastes the potential contributions they could be making to society.
“NANS calls on the NUC to take immediate and decisive action to ensure that universities adhere strictly to the admission quotas set by their professional bodies. It is imperative that these quotas are respected to prevent the oversaturation of students in programmes that cannot support their professional development and licencing.
“Furthermore, we demand that university management comply with these quotas and prioritise the welfare and future of their students by ensuring they are only admitted into programmes that can adequately support their training and professional licencing.
“The plight of MLS students across the country is a stark example of the consequences of ignoring professional admission quotas. These students have been unfairly treated and their future is jeopardised by the very institutions that were supposed to guide them towards successful careers.
“NANS stands in solidarity with these students and all others affected by such malpractices. We urge the NUC to implement stringent monitoring and regulatory measures to safeguard the interests of all students and ensure that universities maintain the highest standards of integrity in their admissions processes.
“We believe that with the NUC’s intervention, the integrity of professional education in Nigeria can be restored, and future students will not have to endure the hardships currently faced by many.”
