Students from the National Film Institute (NFI) in Jos, Plateau State, have strongly opposed the institution’s decision to close down for the next 60 days. Aduma Agoji, the President of the Students Union Government (SUG) at NFI, expressed their disapproval in a statement issued on Wednesday in Jos.
The students firmly believe that this decision will only prolong the semester, which they find inconvenient. The management of the Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC), responsible for overseeing NFI, had announced the school’s closure on October 6, 2023, in a press statement signed by Brian Etuk, the Head of Corporate Affairs at the Corporation. The management cited the need to prevent a breakdown of law and order due to the students’ activities as the reason for this move.
Agoji, however, stated that the decision to close the school was rushed, and the allegations made by the management were completely unfounded. According to him, the students had merely been requesting improvements in facilities to enhance the quality of teaching and learning within the institute.
Agoji emphasized the students’ commitment to their studies and their passion for the Motion Picture Industry. He questioned whether it was wrong for students to demand an academic environment conducive to learning, advocate for their rights, and request essential improvements.
The student leader pointed out that, over the years, the institution’s management had consistently ignored their pleas for better facilities. Their demands included repairing dilapidated school toilets, providing reliable water facilities, establishing a functional ICT center, issuing school ID cards, ensuring consistent electricity in classrooms, and setting up a standard cinema for student film screenings.
The students also called for improvements in security, timely matriculation and convocation of diploma students, and greater autonomy for the institute. They further requested timely equipment for student productions, providing the school prospectus to students, maintaining a clean and aesthetically pleasing school environment, offering accessible WIFI for faculty and students, and updating the school website and portal.
Agoji appealed to the NFC management to reconsider its decision, reopen the school, and allow students to resume their academic activities. He also urged the management to address at least 50 percent of the students’ demands.
