College of health students in Ondo protest poor learning facilities, extortion by school management

Some students of Ondo State College of Health Technology protested on Monday, January 19, 2026, over poor learning facilities and alleged extortion by the school management.

The students barricaded the school entrance, demanding the provision of basic amenities.

They carried placards with messages such as: ‘We Are Tired of This Wickedness,’ ‘Health Tech With Poor Environment,’ ‘Stop Extortion Now,’ and ‘No Solution, No Exams.’

The protesters also lit bonfires, chanted solidarity songs, and threatened to disrupt academic activities.

It was alleged that the school management had failed to provide basic necessities such as potable water, a proper internal road network, and a stable electricity supply, making the situation increasingly unbearable amid the country’s difficult economic conditions.

The management was also said to be imposing unnecessary levies while some lecturers reportedly demanded money for textbooks and assignments.

“At present, there are no essential facilities in this college.

“There is no water or reliable electricity.

“The classrooms are dilapidated, laboratories are non-functional, and there are no hostels, yet the management continues to demand money without considering the struggling families of those attending the institution,” the protesters said.

A staff member, speaking on condition of anonymity, sympathised with the students, saying the authorities should have prioritised their welfare.

The staff member said, “What the students are demanding is reasonable and aimed at improving campus life.

“The management ought to have listened to them earlier.

“The state government cannot be absolved of blame because it controls about 80 per cent of the policies here.

“I am confident that the students will eventually be invited for dialogue.”

Emoruwa Oluwanbe, the rector of the institution, denied the allegations against the management.

However, he confirmed that the Ondo state government had convened a meeting regarding the situation and that the management would issue a comprehensive response in due course.

The students insisted that their protest would continue until their demands were met.