The Rivers State Government has launched a full investigation into disturbing allegations of extortion and academic malpractice at the State College of Nursing Sciences, Port Harcourt—an institution meant to train future healthcare professionals.
At the heart of the allegations are claims that some students were forced to pay money to get their project topics approved, buy examination questions, or secure guaranteed passes in professional exams.
Reacting to the complaints, the government has suspended the head of one of the departments allegedly involved, though officials declined to name the department.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, said the government acted after receiving multiple reports from concerned students and members of the public.
“This is about protecting the integrity of our health system and the future of our students,” Oreh said, stressing that the state has zero tolerance for corruption.
She announced the setting up of an investigative committee chaired by the Chief Medical Director of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Prof Chizindu Alikor. Other members include senior medical professionals and administrators, with Mrs Deima Wigbo serving as secretary.
According to Oreh, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, as well as security agencies, have also been notified of the allegations.
She assured students that the government would protect anyone who comes forward with information and revealed that a forensic audit would be conducted on the recent Year Two second-semester examinations.
“The goal is not just to punish wrongdoing,” she said, “but to restore trust and ensure that our nurses are trained based on merit, not money.”
The commissioner added that the ministry would also carry out a wider review of academic and financial practices in the college to prevent a repeat of such incidents.
For many students, the probe offers a glimmer of hope that their voices are being heard—and that professionalism, not bribery, will define their future careers.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
