Oyo State Government has sealed off Covenant College of Health Technology and Medical Sciences, Apata, Ibadan, for operating without proper accreditation and for offering unauthorised health-related programmes.
The enforcement operation was carried out on Friday by a team from the Oyo State Ministry of Health, led by the Director of Nursing Services, Dr Kehinde Oyebode, who represented the Commissioner for Health during the inspection.
Officials revealed that the institution had been deceiving unsuspecting members of the public by running unapproved courses under the guise of legitimate health training. Among the fraudulent programmes identified were so-called “Nursing Technician” and “Nursing Assistant” courses, which are not recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) or approved by the Ministry.
“Let it be clear: there is no such thing as a ‘Nursing Technician’ or ‘Nursing Assistant’ course within the framework of Nigeria’s approved health training curricula,” Oyebode stated.
“This institution has been operating illegally and misleading students and parents who believe they are enrolling in accredited professional programmes.”
Oyebode expressed concern over the implications of such unauthorised operations on public health and safety. She noted that the school had not only commenced academic activities without approval, but had also been collecting tuition fees from students despite having no regulatory clearance from relevant authorities.
“This is a serious violation. The health sector is not one where we can afford to cut corners,” she emphasised.
“Untrained and unlicensed individuals posing as health workers endanger lives. The government will not tolerate this kind of illegality.”
She explained that nursing education in Nigeria is strictly regulated, and only accredited Schools of Nursing or approved institutions affiliated with recognised teaching hospitals are permitted to train individuals in the nursing profession.
In line with its findings, the Ministry of Health issued an immediate shutdown order on the college’s operations, pending compliance with all necessary regulatory requirements, including programme accreditation and institutional licensing.
The Ministry further issued a public advisory warning residents of Oyo State and beyond to steer clear of Covenant College of Health Technology or any similar institutions offering unrecognised health programmes.
“We urge parents, guardians, and prospective students to always verify the accreditation status of any health-related institution before making commitments. The list of approved schools is publicly available through the Ministry and regulatory bodies like the NMCN,” Oyebode said.
This incident adds to growing concerns over the proliferation of mushroom institutions across Nigeria that exploit the demand for professional training in healthcare by offering fraudulent courses with no legal standing.
Stakeholders in the education and health sectors have repeatedly called on government agencies to intensify monitoring and enforcement to prevent unsuspecting citizens from falling victim to these illegal setups.
The enforcement action reinforces Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration’s strong stance on education reform, public accountability, and ethical standards in both public and private institutions across Oyo State.
Government officials reiterated their commitment to sanitising the education landscape and ensuring that only credible, accredited, and professionally guided institutions operate within the state.
The Oyo State Ministry of Health reiterates that Covenant College of Health Technology and Medical Sciences remains shut until it secures proper licensing and programme accreditation from relevant authorities.
For inquiries or to verify the accreditation status of any health training institution, members of the public are advised to contact the Ministry directly or visit the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) website.
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