By IBUKUN EMIOLA

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has given the management of Atiba University, in Oyo State a seven-day ultimatum to resolve the regulatory challenges affecting its Law programme.

The students’ body made the demand in a statement by its President, Mr Babatunde Akinteye, made available to newsmen on Thursday in Ibadan.

NANS said it had been inundated with complaints from students and graduates of the university’s Law programme over their inability to proceed to the Nigerian Law School after completing their academic course.

According to the association, some of the affected students commenced their studies as far back as 2020, completed their examinations and paid substantial tuition and other fees, with the expectation of proceeding to the Nigerian Law School.

It expressed concerns over the alleged regulatory challenges involving the recognition and approval of the institution’s Law programme by the Council of Legal Education (CLE).

“It is unacceptable for students to bear the consequences of regulatory issues, that were outside their control after investing several years and substantial financial resources in their education,” it said.

NANS also raised concerns over allegations that the university continued to admit students and collect fees for the Law programme despite being aware of regulatory limitations affecting the programme.

The association urged the university to, within seven days, resolve outstanding issues surrounding the Law programme and provide a clear pathway for affected students and graduates who had fulfilled the requisite academic requirements to proceed to the Nigerian Law School.

NANS also urged the university management to engage directly with representatives of the affected students and the association to find an immediate resolution to the crisis.

“Students should not be treated as commodities, universities have a responsibility to ensure that professional programmes offered to students are properly regulated.

“Failure to resolve the issues within the stipulated seven-day period would compel its national leadership to relocate the NANS National Secretariat to Atiba University and remain there until its demands were satisfactorily addressed,” the statement read. (NAN)

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