A group under the aegis of Human Rights Defenders and Protectors Association of Nigeria has called on Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji to probe the alleged dire living conditions and exploitative practices at the College of Nursing Sciences Hostel in Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, EKSUTH.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by A.Y. Aliyu, Southwest Director and Rasheed Ayodeji, National Publicity.
The group decried that the 600-bed hostel, designed to accommodate no more than two students in each rooms are allegedly being packed with four to eight students noting that such act contravenes Article 1.08 of the Minimum Requirements for General Nursing and Midwifery Education in Nigeria.
They equally alleged that each student pays N250,000 per session and with four to eight students per room adding that it generates a revenue of N150 million per session allegedly for the developer.
The group, who appealed to Governor Oyebanji to swiftly intervene, threatened to take legal actions if the government fails to provide the relevant information on the actual blueprint, proposal, design and agreement signed between the developer and the state government.
The statement reads: “Our organisation has earlier written to the Governor in a later dated April 23, 2025 to inform His Excellency of situation of things in the institution; the School authorities and the private developer of the N800m 600-bed hostel, are violating national standards of health education by overcrowding rooms and charging exorbitant fees, turning a flagship public-private partnership project into a “nightmare” for students.
“It is heartbreaking to say that the Governor, known for his widespread achievements in every sector, cum his passion for peace, growth and development of Ekiti has not responded to this issue up to this day.
“The hostel, a 600-bed facility commissioned by Governor Oyebanji on October 22, 2024, was built at a cost of N800 million through investment by Bvers Hostels and Suites, aimed at providing a better learning environment amid growing enrollment in nursing programmes.
“However, the rooms designed for no more than two students in accordance with Article 1.08 of the Minimum Requirements for General Nursing and Midwifery Education in Nigeria are being packed with four to eight students.
“It should also be known that in addition to the lack of breathing space in the rooms are cramped kitchens where students line up gas cylinders side by side, inadequate bathrooms and toilets space for multiple users are of serious health concerns, these conditions reportedly were concealed during a visit by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for accreditation, with some students reportedly mandated to vacate the premises temporarily; this is a serious threat to the lives of the students.
“We also discovered a case of exploitation, where each student pays N250,000 per session and with four to eight students per room, it generates a revenue of N150 million per session for the developer with rumors of the developer having an agreement to control the investment for 70 years.
“We have requested for actual blue print, proposal, design of the hostel and the agreement signed between the developer and the state government under the Freedom of Information Laws of Ekiti State from the management of the institution but have been met with stiff opposition to further conceal the truth and are considering taking further legal actions.
“We are using this medium to appeal to the Governor to immediately act on this issue, as a civilised society we have to be proactive and not wait for disaster to strike before taking preventive measures, this is a call to action!”
When contacted on telephone, the provost of the college, Mrs Awe said issues regarding the school should be directed to the Chief Medical Director of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Professor Kayode Olabanji.
Efforts to speak with the CMD was unsuccessful.
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