Coalition raises alarm over leadership crisis in Taraba nursing college

The National Coalition of NGOs and Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (NCNCSON) has raised an alarm over a growing leadership crisis at the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Jalingo.

The coalition, in a statement, called on the State government to take immediate action to address the situation threatening the institution’s credibility.

The state coordinator, Fidelis Nashuka, said the coalition highlighted concerns about alleged mismanagement, stressing that failure to adhere to retirement protocols, irregularities in appointments, and non-compliance with regulatory standards set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), will lead to further crisis in the institution.

Proposing a series of measures to resolve the crisis and restore confidence in the institution, a transparent process to appoint competent and qualified leaders and enforcement of regulatory guidelines and civil service rules for appointments and retirements, the coalition said, must be adhered to.

The coalition said transferring the institution’s oversight to the Ministry of Tertiary Education while retaining the Ministry of Health as a strategic partner has become necessary.

NCNCSON also urged the state government and other relevant authorities to investigate the issues promptly and implement reforms to restore the institution’s integrity.

“This is critical to maintaining the governor’s vision of excellence in education and ensuring that the College of Nursing and Midwifery continues to serve as a beacon of hope for healthcare education in Nigeria,” the coalition stated.

The leadership of NCNCSON emphasised the coalition’s readiness to collaborate with the government and other stakeholders to promote accountability and sustainable development in the education sector.