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Hundreds of Medical Laboratory Science students of the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, have expressed frustration over the institution’s failure to facilitate their indexing for professional examinations with the Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria (MLCN). This delay has hindered their induction and ability to practice.

The students, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that the university’s Medical Laboratory Science department is experiencing severe overpopulation, disrupting academic progress. The approved quota for the course is 120 students per session, but the class of 2018, which graduated in 2023, has over 350 students.

“It’s not that the students failed or did anything wrong, but the school failed to keep to the agreement with the council in admitting a certain number of students,” a student said. “Rather, they over-admitted, and it has made the council turn its back on us.”

The students alleged that over 1,000 students have paid more than ₦145,000 each for indexing, but to no avail. They proposed canceling fresh admissions to clear the backlog, conducting council examinations in batches, and introducing a one-year interval between professional exams. However, their suggestions were rejected.

IMSU spokesperson, Dr. Ralph Njoku, acknowledged the issue and blamed the staggering number of unindexed students on repeated appeals for admission by Imo people. He revealed that the Vice Chancellor, Dean of Science Faculty, and Head of the Medical Laboratory Science department met with the MLCN authorities to clear the students’ backlog.

Dr. Njoku said, “It’s not as if the school management is not doing anything, but the students seem not to appreciate the efforts. The MLCN Secretary promised to work out something, and we are waiting for their response.”

He added, “We had a similar issue with medical students in the past, but they have all been cleared and have since graduated. The students should exercise patience while we await the directive of the MLCN on this issue.”

The students, however, are skeptical about the university’s efforts, citing previous unfulfilled promises. They are demanding immediate action to address the issue.

“We have been patient for too long,” one of the students said. “We have graduated, but we cannot practice because we are not certified. We cannot proceed with our National Youth Service Corps scheme. Our future is being held hostage by the university’s incompetence.”

The students are calling on the university management to take concrete steps to resolve the issue. They want the university to cancel fresh admissions to clear the backlog, conduct council examinations in batches, and introduce a one-year interval between professional exams.

“We are not asking for too much,” another student said. “We just want to be certified and allowed to practice. We want to contribute to the society, but the university is holding us back.”

The IMSU management has promised to look into the matter, but the students are not convinced. They are threatening to take further action if their demands are not met.

“We will not be silenced,” a student said. “We will not be ignored. We will continue to fight for our rights until we are certified and allowed to practice.”

The situation is tense, and it remains to be seen how the university management will respond to the students’ demands. One thing is certain, however: the students will not back down until their voices are heard.

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