By Obiageli Nwankwo
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, on Friday led an unscheduled fact-finding visit to the Millennium College of Nursing Sciences, Awka, following disturbing reports of students’ rights violations and extortion by the institution’s management.
The visit was prompted by a recent viral TikTok video titled “Ratels,” which accused the college administration of high-handedness, illegal phone confiscation, and financial exploitation of students.
Speaking during an interactive session with the students, Prof. Chuma-Udeh said the Ministry was at the institution to verify the claims and ensure that due process, best practices, and ethical standards expected in tertiary institutions were being upheld.
“You are not alone in your academic journey. The state, particularly the Ministry of Education, has a responsibility to monitor institutions and protect students. Training nurses is a vital task. These students will one day handle the lives of others, and that must be done with the highest sense of humanity and responsibility.”
The Commissioner stressed that the state’s aim was not to condemn the institution but to correct any wrongdoing for the betterment of both students and the school.
“We’re here to find out the truth and ensure that where there are anomalies, they are addressed. The goal is a healthy academic environment for all,” she added.
Responding on behalf of the students, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Mr. Elochukwu Oforkansi, expressed gratitude to the Ministry for its concern and proactive response.
“We are encouraged by this visit. It shows the government truly has our interest at heart. As future nurses, we pledge to uphold the ethics of our profession and serve with compassion,” he said.
The visit is part of a wider investigation by the Ministry of Education into the allegations raised in the “Ratels” video and forms part of the state government’s commitment to upholding educational standards and students’ welfare in Anambra.
Obiageli is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
