Wednesday, September 9, 2026

We’ve spent three years for one semester: Plateau poly students

There is a heavy presence of security operatives in Jos as the Plateau State Polytechnic students protest the postponement of exams.

• September 20, 2021
Plateau Students

There is a heavy presence of security operatives in Jos as the Plateau State Polytechnic students protest the postponement of exams, saying they have spent three years for one semester.

A semester is less than four months.

“We have spent over three years in just one semester owing to COVID-19 lockdown. But largely due to the various strikes embarked upon by our lecturers,” said Deborah John, a student at the polytechnic.

Ms John described the institution’s decision as an attempt to truncate their academic journey.

The armed security agents at the protest scene were said to have been deployed to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

The students trooped out en masse and blocked the Yakubu Gowon way, leading to Jos’ major highway.

The postponement of the semester exams was due to an indefinite strike by the school’s lecturers, who had issued a notice of strike to the government.

They are demanding their earned allowances and sundry issues.

“We came to school this morning to start our examinations only to see a circular that our lecturers have been on strike since Friday,” Ms John disclosed. “We were not informed. Nobody said anything to us. We just discovered that we could not start our examinations.”

The student added, “This is why we are protesting, and it is a peaceful protest because all we want is to go in and sit our examinations.”

She further lamented that “we are getting old, and by the time we graduate, we can’t find jobs because of age.”

Another student, Israel Longdu, decried the incessant strike by their lecturers.

“Nobody has come to address us on the issue, and we feel this is not right. We demand a proper explanation from the management on why we cannot start our examinations today,” Mr Longdu explained. “We are tired of this back and forth. Our academic journey is suffering, and this is not good for us.”

When the polytechnic’s spokesman, John Ramadan, was contacted on the issue, he said he would get back.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Burial of Ebola victims

Africa

Ebola deaths in DR Congo hit 3,200

Ebola virus continues to spread in the eastern provinces of the DRC, with more than 3,200 deaths reported, the UN said.

Education

NOUN appoints Ramatu Ibrahim as acting bursar

NOUN said Ms Ibrahim’s appointment took effect from Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and would remain in force until further notice.

States

Yayi can’t win Ogun election, he is Sulaimon Ogunleye from Ekiti: Wale Adedayo

Mr Adedayo alleged that Mr Adeola was originally Sulaimon Ogunleye from Ekiti State but now falsely claims Ogun State ancestry for political gains.

World

FG condemns fresh Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

“Nigeria regards the fresh hostilities as a serious threat not only to the security and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia but also to regional stability in the Middle East,” he said.

Nasiru Marafa

Education

NOUN declares three-day mourning for slain bursar

The university said, “The mourning period commenced on Monday, September 7 and would end on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Nasarawa State University, Keffi

States

Nasarawa varsity seeks assembly intervention to end ASUU strike

Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), has appealed to the House of Assembly to intervene in the ongoing ASUU strike.