Some students of the University of Maiduguri have been finding their stay in Maiduguri very challenging. Since the resumption of the session in May, 2011,

it has been been from one challenge to another. Hence, some of the students have been contemplating changing institutions. Isola Taiwo, 100L Human Anatomy, writes on the situation.

Students of the University of Maiduguri have not been having their academic calendar devoid of various challenges. The challenges began immediately after Nigeria’s general election in April, 2011.

The post-election violence, bombings, attack by gunmen, temporary shutdown of the university, ASUU strike, and others, have threatened the academic calendar of the university, which had resulted in the school having just one full semester since her resumption in May last year.

Because of this, some students are now set to re-write this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Emamination in order to flee the town and refocus their future careers.

According to Idris Suleiman, an Anatomy student of the university, “I am preparing  to sit for  another UTME  this year so that I won’t have to leave my career at the mercy of circumstances. Although, I’ve not made up my mind to leave the institution, I want to plan ahead in case of any hiccup. It was a decision I have to consider in the face of the bomb blasts and especially when I  noticed that the university has only one full semester  since last year.”

Another student of the university, from the South West, who pleaded  for anonymity,  expressed his fear saying: “I’m not sure I would remain in the school. I’ve had enough of incessant bombings and killings in Maiduguri. Even if I would not leave for any reason, the recent multiple bomb blasts in Kano justifies my intention to leave the school.”

100 level students who had just one semester last year are seeking to change their institutions and preparing to re-write the UTME. However, some students were still optimistic and undeterred in their resolutions to pursue their careers in the school. In her own opinion, Faith Chinyere, a 300 level student, said she was not worried about the security challenges in Maiduguri as she hoped that peace would soon return to the city. Elizabeth Oke expressed her view saying: “I believe God took me to Maiduguri for a purpose and my life is secured in His hands. He alone has the power to kill and make alive and I am very sure He won’t allow any evil to befall me.”