SUNTV Global Channel Reporting | April 24, 2026
A fresh controversy has rocked the College of Nursing Sciences, Agbor, Delta State, after 54 graduating nursing students were reportedly denied access to the upcoming Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) qualifying examination under circumstances described by stakeholders as “unfair, punitive, and procedurally questionable.”
Multiple lecturers and parents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the school management introduced an “unofficial requirement” compelling students to retake a pre-council examination they had already passed, sparking outrage among affected candidates and their families.
According to the sources, the directive has resulted in the exclusion of at least 54 students from being enrolled for the council examination, despite fulfilling what they insist are the official requirements.
“We are appealing for urgent intervention because what is happening does not align with the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s guidelines,” a lecturer said. “The requirement is primarily based on attendance and successful completion of training. Forcing students to retake an exam they have already passed raises serious ethical concerns.”
Parents of the affected students also expressed frustration, describing the situation as emotionally and financially exhausting.
“Our children already wrote and passed this pre-council exam. Suddenly, they are told to retake it before they can proceed. It is unfair and deeply distressing,” one parent said.
Sources within the institution alleged that while a few students complied with the directive, the majority resisted, insisting their earlier results should remain valid. This resistance, insiders claim, may have influenced their exclusion from the council examination registration process.
“The provost has already registered other students and left out these 54,” another lecturer alleged. “There is a growing belief that this is more punitive than procedural. Some students have made multiple attempts in the past, and further delays could seriously affect their careers.”
Efforts by students and parents to resolve the matter internally reportedly failed, with appeals to school authorities yielding no positive outcome. Concern is now growing that if the issue is not resolved before the council portal closes, the affected students may have to wait until the next examination cycle.
When contacted, the College Provost, Mrs. Evbodaghe Rita Ogonne, stated that the decision was based on attendance records and directed further inquiries to the state Public Relations Officer.
“The decision is from the council and it is because they did not have the required attendance. For further information, contact the state PRO. This is a state government institution,” she said.
The development has also revived public attention on the institution following a previous incident in March 2025, when students of the college went viral over a controversial chant involving Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, during a public event in Delta State.
At that event, a video circulated online showing students rejecting the label of “our mother” as introduced by a master of ceremony, a moment that sparked widespread debate on social media.
As tensions rise once again, stakeholders are calling on relevant authorities, including the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, to urgently intervene and clarify the status of the affected students to prevent further disruption to their academic and professional futures.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments as the story unfolds.
