- Graduates from the Radiography program at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri are facing accreditation issues.
- They claim their department has lacked accreditation from the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN) for over six years.
- This accreditation problem is hindering their ability to legally practice as radiographers.
Graduates of the Radiography program at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri have raised alarms over what they describe as a long-standing accreditation problem that has prevented them from legally practicing their profession.
In a statement shared with GistLover, members of the pioneer graduating class claimed that their department has not held accreditation from the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN) for more than six years.
They explained that this lack of accreditation has barred them from taking the required professional licensing examinations. The graduates noted that completing a radiography program necessitates two essential approvals: recognition by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and accreditation from the RRBN. While their program may have NUC recognition, the absence of RRBN accreditation has made their degrees professionally insufficient.
The affected students added that they were unable to participate in professional exams at both 300 and 500 levels due to this issue. Despite finishing their coursework and graduating several months ago, they said the university has provided no clear updates or solutions.
The graduates further stated that they paid fees related to accreditation during their studies, with documentation to support their payments. However, they expressed disappointment over the lack of transparency and progress in resolving the matter.
Many of the graduates are reportedly left in limbo, unable to find employment or practice as licensed radiographers, despite years of academic training. They also expressed concern that new students continue to be admitted into the program while previous graduates remain unlicensed.
The group is calling on relevant authorities to step in urgently, warning that continued delays could further disadvantage future students. They emphasized the need for public awareness and swift action to clarify the status of their qualifications and secure their professional futures.
One of the graduates said in part …
“I am a student of Radiography FUTO and in my profession as a radiographer. I am expected to write two professional exams. The first professional exam should be in 300 level and the last one which should be the last one was to be in 500level.
However, in 300 Level and 4 level I didn’t write the professional exams and the reason why we didn’t write the professional exams was because our department is not accredited by RRBN, which is a board of Radiographers, radiographers board of Nigeria. In radiography we do have two accreditation, the first one is the NUC, and the second one is the RRBN accreditation.
For me to practice (and I finished 6 months ago) and since after we graduated there has been no update about accreditation. We are stranded and missing out on opportunities and we can’t practice without license.
We even paid for the accreditation.
They keep admitting more students when the ones they have graduated cannot work…”
A message tendered by the graduates read in part…
“URGENT: 6-Year Accreditation Delay Affecting Radiography Students in FUTO
Good Evening,
I respectfully write to bring to your attention a pressing issue affecting Radiography graduates of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), particularly the pioneer set, of which I am a part.
We duly paid accreditation-related fees, and there are records to confirm this. My colleagues are also available to verify these claims, yet there has been no visible progress or accountability.
Sir I have proofs that showed that we paid for accreditation.
My colleagues also can bear witness to this.
This situation has placed us in a very difficult position, especially in the current economic climate. After investing years of time, effort, and financial resources, we are left in uncertainty with no clear path forward.
For Six whole years the department has failed to get RRBN ACCREDITATION.
In our profession, students are required to sit for professional examinations at 300 level and final qualifying exams at 500 level before they can be licensed. Sadly, despite graduating last year, we have received no clear update regarding accreditation or the scheduling of these exams.
We were not informed at the point of admission that the program lacked accreditation. This only became known during our studies, leaving us stranded after investing five years in training.
And if not handled now it will escalate to more years. We’re stranded. Please help us.
A colleague of mine almost committed suicide because of the frustration from the department and school at large.
Nobody is talking.
We’re drowning silently…”
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