Students of the Maurid Institute of Management and Technology, popularly known as Maurid Polytechnic in Akwa Ibom State, have accused the institution of reneging on its academic promises, leaving them without the certificates they were assured of after four years of study.
The students, admitted in 2020 to study Nursing Administration, claimed that despite fulfilling all financial obligations, including tuition, materials, and accommodation fees, the school failed to issue them certificates through its affiliation with Imo State University (IMSU).
According to the students, the institution announced during their second year that the Nursing Administration program was terminated following the end of its affiliation with IMSU. This left students with two options: transferring to the Public Health Department or the Environmental Health Department.
One student shared, “We felt devastated by this announcement. Many of us reluctantly opted for Public Health after being assured we would receive degrees from Gregory University, Abia State. However, we were recently informed that our certificates would now come from Temple Gate Polytechnic in Biochemistry—a course we did not study.”
The situation worsened when students who graduated in 2024 discovered that Gregory University had also withdrawn its affiliation with Maurid Polytechnic, leaving them without Public Health degrees. Instead, the institution asked them to settle for Biochemistry certificates, which many students have yet to receive.
“This is betrayal,” another student lamented. “We invested four years of our lives, only to be handed certificates in an unrelated field. Maurid Polytechnic has wasted our time, money, and efforts.”
The students have appealed to the public, media, and authorities to hold the institution accountable. “We need justice for the betrayal and suffering we have endured. Our future is at stake,” they said.
When contacted, Dr. Godwin Umontuen, Chairman of the Maurid Group, acknowledged the issues but claimed the institution had no intention of misleading the students. He explained that the disruptions stemmed from a breakdown in affiliations with partner universities.
“We signed agreements with these universities in good faith, but changes in their leadership caused a halt to the affiliations. Unfortunately, the Head of Department did not properly inform the students,” he admitted.
Dr. Umontuen added that the institution was working on accreditation with the Public Health Practitioners Council of Nigeria and assured students they would receive professional certification after completing additional requirements such as project work and Industrial Training (IT).
A letter obtained by SaharaReporters confirmed that Maurid Polytechnic recently paid one million naira to the Public Health Practitioners Council for accreditation. The Rector, Augustine Ukit, acknowledged the payment in a statement dated November 2, 2024.
The students, however, remain skeptical and continue to demand swift action to resolve their grievances and secure their future.
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