LASU medical students protest non-accreditation of programmes

Lagos—Activities at the office of the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, was yesterday halted by students of the Lagos State University, LASU, protesting over non-accreditation of medical and

dental programmes in the institution.

The students, who defied the early morning downpour, stormed the office of the governor to express their displeasure over the administration of Lagos State University College of Medicine, LASUCOM.

The students were armed with placards with different inscriptions like: “Our parents are frustrated, they think we have been rusticated’, ‘Ambode; release N100 million to LASUCOM’, ‘Ambode, please save us from shame and others.”

The students lamented that the non-accreditation of the programmes has forced them to spend eight years studying a six-year programme.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, chairman, LASU Association of Dental Students, Mr. Sydon Agbor, said the non-accreditation of the programmes had impeded the graduation of the final year students.

Agbor explained that without accreditation of their programmes by Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the students would never graduate from the institution, adding “Our visit here is to intimate the governor on the plight of LASUCOM students.”

He noted that lack of basic equipments, inadequate lecturers,  laboratory and others were the required facilities needed before the school could be accredited.

Agbor, therefore,  called on the governor to come to the aid of the students and address their challenges.

Addressing the protesters, Special adviser to the governor on Civic Engagement, Mr. Kehinde Joseph, who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of health, Mrs. Omodele Osunkiyesi, assured the protesters that the state government would ensure that the issue is investigated.