Ondo Health College Students Protest Alleged Extortion, Decaying Facilities.

Ondo Health College Students Protest Alleged Extortion, Decaying Facilities.

By NigerDelta Voice,

Ondo State Correspondent,

January 19, 2026.

Students of the Ondo State College of Health Technology, Akure, on Monday staged a massive protest over what they described as prolonged neglect, poor infrastructure and repeated hikes in fees, bringing academic activities to a halt.

The once peaceful and highly respected health institution was thrown into tension as hundreds of students, mostly females, poured out in large numbers to express frustration over what they called years of abandonment by the authorities. Viral videos of the protest obtained by our correspondent showed emotionally charged scenes of students chanting solidarity songs, barricading the school’s main gate and burning tyres to draw attention to their plight.

The protesters decried the deplorable state of facilities across the campus, including dilapidated classrooms, overcrowded hostels, poorly equipped laboratories and irregular water supply. They also accused the management of imposing what they termed “unjustifiable charges” on students despite the worsening learning conditions.

Placards carried by the students bore inscriptions such as “We Are Tired of This Wickedness,” “Stop Extortion Now,” “Health Tech With Poor Environment,” and “No Solution, No Exams.” The students vowed to boycott lectures and examinations until their demands were addressed.

According to some of the protesters, repeated appeals to the school management had yielded no positive response, leaving them with no option but to take to the streets.

“We have been patient for too long. This environment is not fit for learning. We are future health professionals, yet we are treated with neglect. Until these issues are resolved, there will be no exams and no lectures,” one of the students said.

Observers described the protest as both emotional and courageous, noting that the students were driven by frustration and a determination to secure a better future.

Reacting to the allegations, the Provost of the College, Mr. Emoruwa Oluwambe, denied claims of extortion by the management. He stated that the Ondo State Government had intervened and convened a meeting over the matter, assuring that a comprehensive response would be given later.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, who visited the institution following the protest, appealed to the students to embrace dialogue rather than violence. He assured them that the government would look into their grievances and address the concerns raised, stressing that students’ welfare and a conducive learning environment remained a priority.

The protest underscores growing discontent among students over funding, infrastructure and governance in public health institutions, as young Nigerians continue to demand accountability and dignity in their pursuit of education.