The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has given the management of Atiba University, Oyo State, a seven-day ultimatum to resolve the crisis surrounding its Law programme and provide a clear pathway for affected students and graduates to proceed to the Nigerian Law School.

NANS, in a statement signed by its President, Babatunde Afeez Akinteye, said it had received complaints from students and graduates of the university’s Law programme over unresolved regulatory issues allegedly affecting their progression to the Nigerian Law School.

The students, according to the association, include some who commenced their studies as far back as 2020 and have completed their academic requirements and examinations after paying substantial tuition and other fees.

NANS said the affected students had expected to proceed to the Nigerian Law School after completing their degree programme, but had been left uncertain because of regulatory concerns involving the Council of Legal Education (CLE).

The students’ association described the situation as “deeply disturbing”, saying students should not bear the consequences of regulatory challenges beyond their control.

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

NANS said if established, the allegation raised serious questions of accountability and required a comprehensive explanation from the university management.

The association also criticised what it described as the apparent lack of urgency with which complaints from affected students had been handled.

It said repeated appeals by students had allegedly failed to produce a clear resolution, adequate information or a credible pathway for those affected to complete their professional journey.

“Students are not commodities. Their education, years of sacrifice and financial investments cannot be treated with indifference,” NANS said.

It maintained that a university admitting students into a professional programme had a responsibility to ensure that the programme was properly regulated and that students were not abandoned midway through their academic journey.

NANS consequently demanded that Atiba University, within seven days, resolve outstanding issues surrounding the Law programme and provide a credible pathway for affected students and graduates who had fulfilled the requisite academic requirements to proceed to the Nigerian Law School.

The association also demanded a comprehensive account and verifiable records of students admitted into the programme, including their admission periods, particularly those admitted when the university was allegedly aware of regulatory limitations.

It further asked the university to publish an explanation of the regulatory status of the Law programme, including relevant approvals, communications and engagements with the Council of Legal Education.

NANS also demanded a transparent account of the academic and financial commitments of affected students, including fees paid and the academic status of those who had completed their examinations but remained unable to progress.

The association called for direct engagement between the university management, affected students and NANS towards an immediate resolution of the matter.

NANS warned that it would not remain passive while students who had spent years pursuing their education remained in uncertainty over issues they neither caused nor controlled.

The association said failure by the university to address the demands within the stipulated seven days would compel its national leadership to relocate its secretariat to Atiba University and remain there until the demands were satisfactorily addressed.

Reacting, the spokesperson of the university, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Kolawole said the institution was working toward resolving the issue.