The Management of the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences, Jalingo, on Thursday denied a media publication alleging that the institution was exploiting and threatening students.
In a press statement issued to journalists and signed by the College’s Public Relations Officer, Gideon Jimenda, the Management described the publication as false, misleading, and said it had fallen short of basic journalistic standards of fairness, verification, and responsible reporting.
“The media publication titled ‘Allegations of Exploitation, Threats Rock Taraba State School of Nursing and Midwifery,’ which has been circulating on media platforms since January 13, 2026, is misleading, unbalanced, and falls short of basic journalistic standards of fairness, verification, and responsible reporting.
“This statement is therefore issued to set the record straight and present verifiable facts that were deliberately ignored in the publication. Firstly, the correct name of the institution is Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences, Jalingo, and not ‘School of Nursing and Midwifery,’ as wrongly captured in the publication.
“Contrary to the narrative promoted by the media, the challenges faced by some students arose strictly from poor academic performance and disciplinary issues, including chronic absenteeism from lectures, persistent lateness, and prolonged abscondment from both lectures and clinical postings.
“Specifically, during the September 2025 Midwifery Professional Qualifying Examinations, a total of 141 students sat for the examination, out of which 58 students passed, representing 41 percent. In the same examination, 67 Community Midwifery students participated, with 40 students passing, representing 59.7 percent.
“In the November 2025 Nursing Professional Qualifying Examinations, a total of 277 Basic Nursing students (Set 21) sat for the examination, with 111 students passing, representing 40 percent. Additionally, 135 Community Nursing students sat for the examination, out of which only 27 students passed, representing 20 percent.
“These outcomes are facts on record and reflect the level of students’ preparedness, not administrative failure. It must be emphasised that examinations conducted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) are centrally set and marked by the Council, and the College Management has no influence whatsoever over the results.
“Following the poor results and in strict compliance with regulations guiding internal and external examinations, the Management, in conjunction with the Academic Board, resolved as follows:
“Students repeating an extra semester are required to pay the approved school fees for that period.
“Students must attain a minimum of 75 percent attendance in lectures and clinical postings before qualifying to rewrite final examinations. Any student who fails an external examination must first rewrite the pre-council examination before being re-presented to the Council for the final examination.
“Presentation timelines were fixed for March 2026 (Midwifery) and May 2026 (Nursing) to prevent another mass failure that could expose the institution to sanctions or possible closure. These measures are standard practices across Nursing and Midwifery institutions nationwide and are clearly stipulated in the Students’ Handbook.
“Some affected students issued a collective response threatening protest actions instead of complying with the laid-down regulations.
“In response, the College Management responsibly reported the matter to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tertiary Education, attaching all relevant documents, including excerpts from the Students’ Handbook on misconduct, absenteeism, and penalties.
“Notably, the rules clearly state that absence from lectures and clinical postings beyond 28 days attracts demotion.
“The Provost, Mrs. Dorcas S. Dugule, has provided firm, transparent, and reform-driven leadership that has restored discipline, academic integrity, and professionalism to the College.
“Examination malpractice has been decisively addressed, campus security strengthened, and student welfare improved within a clean, orderly, and compliant learning environment.
“The claim that Management exploits or intimidates students is entirely false. All fees charged are statutory, transparent, and aligned with the Taraba State Government’s free education policy, the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), and clinical training standards,” the statement read.
