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BREAKING: Michael Okpara University Halts Academic Operations Amid Student Protests Against Fee Increase
BREAKING: Michael Okpara University Halts Academic Operations Amid Student Protests Against Fee Increase
In a recent development, all academic engagements have been halted indefinitely at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Umuahia, Abia State…….CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This decision was communicated via a memorandum signed and issued on Tuesday by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, following students’ demonstrations against an upward adjustment in tuition fees.
Video footage obtained by Naija News depicts university students blocking major thoroughfares, expressing their discontentment with the hike in school fees.
Several students, traversing the university campus, were seen chanting slogans like ‘we no go gree o, we no go gree’ while brandishing various placards.
Additionally, some students aired their grievances on social media platforms. There were allegations that the Vice-Chancellor personally intervened in examination halls to eject students who hadn’t settled their fees.
Nonetheless, the university administration has issued a statement clarifying the situation.
Expressing remorse over the protests and the purported disruption of order, the university disclosed that students had been given ample time to fulfill their financial obligations. However, a faction of students opted not to comply.
According to the statement, more than 70% of the students had fulfilled their financial obligations and were peacefully undergoing examinations before the protests erupted.
The university’s statement reads:
“INDEFINITE SUSPENSION OF UNIVERSITY OPERATIONS AND ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
“The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, witnessed a breach of its longstanding peace this morning.
“Hooligans seized control of the university, pursued the Vice-Chancellor, vandalized his official vehicle along with those of his associates, alleging that they were prevented from taking their 1st Semester examination due to non-payment of fees.
“University records indicate that over 70% of students had already paid their fees and were actively involved in their examinations peacefully. More than two thousand students were in line to settle their fees and enroll for their courses before the unruly elements disrupted the tranquility of the campus.
“In order to ensure the safety of lives and property on campus, the University Management, on behalf of the Senate, has declared an indefinite cessation of university operations.
“All students are advised to vacate the university premises promptly, not later than 5.00 pm on Tuesday, 6th February 2024.
Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, CFS Vice-Chancellor.
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, on Thursday inspected security deployments at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the inspection is part of proactive measures to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examinations.
The UTME is scheduled to run nationwide from April 16 to 18, 2026.
During the exercise, CP Sanusi assessed security arrangements put in place to safeguard candidates, examination officials, and CBT facilities.
He also engaged with centre supervisors, assuring them of adequate security presence throughout the examination period.
Adeh added that the CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, warning that any attempt to disrupt the examinations would be met with decisive action in line with the law.
Over 700 former terrorists who have undergone deradicalisation and rehabilitation are set to be reintegrated into their communities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian military has also dismissed reports alleging that beneficiaries of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into military institutions.
According to African Independent Television, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, made this known during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
He said many Nigerians still misunderstand the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism initiative, which is designed to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency.
Brigadier-General Ali explained that the programme focuses on rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration of repentant individuals into society.
During the tour, some of the participants also shared accounts of their involvement in offences that led to their admission into the programme.
The facility inspection was part of preparations for the graduation of over 700 clients who have completed the deradicalisation and rehabilitation process and are set for reintegration.
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