The National Association of Nigerian Students has called for immediate intervention by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Governing Council and the Federal Ministry of Education to address the poor welfare and educational standards at the institution.
In a statement issued on Thursday, NANS, through its Senate President Afeez Akinteye, expressed concerns about the ongoing administrative crisis at UNN, which has negatively impacted students’ welfare. The association highlighted issues such as delays in fumigating the university’s hostels due to alleged misconduct by the institution’s Registrar, Dr. Mrs. Celine Nnebedum.
The students’ body expressed support for the UNN Governing Council’s decision to set up a committee to investigate the situation. According to NANS, the delay in fumigating the twenty-seven hostels has led to serious health risks for students due to pest infestations, including bedbugs, rats, mosquitoes, and even snakes. The fumigation process only began in January 2025, causing further distress to students.
NANS also criticized the imposition of penalties on students for late file submissions, although they thanked the Acting Vice-Chancellor for intervening on behalf of the students. The statement emphasized that NANS stands in solidarity with the UNN Governing Council, particularly its Chairman, acknowledging his integrity and commitment to the university’s proper administration.
The student body urged the Governing Council to ensure fairness in the ongoing investigation and warned that if the situation turns out to be a targeted attack on the Vice-Chancellor, corrective measures should be implemented. NANS stressed that the reputation and progress of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, should not be undermined by administrative misconduct.
NANS appealed to the UNN Governing Council, the Federal Ministry of Education, and other relevant authorities to act swiftly to restore accountability and ensure that students receive the quality education and welfare they deserve.
The statement read in parts, “The students of the institution have suffered from poor welfare, including delays in fumigating the university’s twenty-seven hostels, as a result of the Registrar’s alleged misconduct.
“We express deep concern over the ongoing administrative crisis at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where the actions of the university’s Registrar, Dr Mrs Celine Nnebedum, have severely undermined student welfare and disrupted critical development projects in the university.
“Reports from concerned students and stakeholders alleged that the principal officer of the University has continuously engaged in misconduct, among other allegations, all of which have negatively impacted the smooth running of the institution.
“One of the most alarming instances of this sabotage is the deliberate delay in fumigating the university’s twenty-seven hostels, despite severe pest infestations, including bedbugs, rats, mosquitoes, and even snakes, posing serious health risks to students. The fumigation finally commenced in January 2025.
“We align with the decision of the UNN Governing Council to set up a committee to investigate these disturbing developments and stand firmly with the Governing Council Chairman, recognising his integrity and commitment to the proper administration of the university. Furthermore, as students from the UNN campus have reached out to us, urging fairness in this matter, we strongly advise the Governing Council to ensure that justice is done. If this case is found to be a witch-hunt against the Vice-Chancellor, the necessary corrective measures must be taken to safeguard the integrity of the university’s leadership.
“The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is an institution of national pride, and we will not stand by while its progress is derailed by administrative misconduct. NANS urges the Governing Council, the Federal Ministry of Education, and all relevant authorities to act swiftly to restore accountability and ensure that students receive the quality education and welfare they deserve,” the statement read.
