Students of the College of Health Sciences at Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Presco Campus, Abakaliki, were forced to receive lectures under what observers describe as “deplorable and inhumane” learning conditions on Monday morning.
The affected students, drawn from five departments — Nursing Science, Medicine and Surgery, Medical Laboratory Science, Physiology, and Anatomy — reportedly number over 1,000. Each department is said to have a student population of at least 300. However, these students were gathered inside a lecture hall with a seating capacity of barely 200.
Students described the situation as chaotic and uncomfortable, with students standing, squeezing into limited spaces, and struggling to hear lectures due to the absence of a functional public address system. The situation was further worsened by a lack of electricity to power fans, leaving students in a poorly ventilated environment.
“These are future medical doctors, nurses, and laboratory scientists who will manage health facilities across the country,” a concerned student said. “It is disheartening that despite paying some of the highest school fees in the university, we are subjected to these conditions.”
Students allege that the facility at Presco Campus has remained in a deteriorating state for years, even as the university continues to admit increasing numbers of students into the health-related programmes. Many argue that the current infrastructure no longer matches the growing student population.
Calls have now intensified for urgent intervention from the Ebonyi State Government and the university management. Students are appealing to Governor Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to address what they describe as prolonged neglect of the Presco Campus.
They also urged the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President to take decisive action in advocating for improved learning conditions.
“The negligence cannot continue. Presco students deserve better,” one student remarked.
As of press time, university authorities had not issued an official statement regarding the concerns raised.
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