EDUCATION
UNIBEN ASUU Warns Of Possible Class Cancellation Following Lecturer Attack
UNIBEN ASUU Warns Of Possible Class Cancellation Following Lecturer Attack....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Benin chapter, have threatened not to resume work for the Second Semester academic session, which is scheduled to commence on April 28th. This is a result of the disturbance of a meeting between the candidate of the Labour Party, Olumide Akpata, and University of Benin (UNIBEN) staff at the Senior Staff Club, where a lecturer was beaten and injured.
The lecturer, Dr. Presley Osemwegie, sustained injuries during an altercation on April 12, stemming from allegations that students were not adequately informed about the session.
Over the weekend, Akpata visited Osemwegie and refuted claims that his security personnel shot a student during the incident. Instead, he accused a top government official of orchestrating the attack against him.
A press statement signed by UNIBEN’s Branch Chairman and ASUU’s Secretary stated that Osemwengie was assaulted, struck in the back of his head with a small axe, and left unconscious in a pool of his blood by individuals associated with the Students Union President.
The statement read, “Osemwengie was attacked, hit in the back of his head with a small axe and left for dead in the pool of his own blood by some of those in the company of the Students Union President.
“It is necessary to note that this worrisome trend began with the assault by both students and non-students of the University on the person of the current Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin in September 2021 when she was humiliated and marched from her residence to the Main Gate of the University in very hostile circumstances.
“Other similar and very unsavoury incidents in which students of the University of Benin have threatened and brutalised lecturers of the University have also been reported at different times. This cannot continue.
“To the end that our members will feel safe to conduct their business of research, teaching, and supervision going forward from the 28th of April 2024 (being the date of resumption for the next academic session) therefore, and without prejudice to the work of the Committee set up by the University Administration to investigate the incident at issue, the union among other things demanded that:
“All the identified students, including members of the executive committee of the Students Union of the University of Benin, who participated in the event(s) that led to the attempted murder of our colleague should be taken through the disciplinary process and sanctioned as appropriate.
“All other identified culpable individuals, whoever and wherever they are, must be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“We must reiterate the point that, subject to the authorization of the Principal Officers of our Union, our members may not be available to resume academic activities on the 28th of April 2024 if immediate action and the necessary processes are not immediately initiated regarding the demands made above.”
The North-West Development Commission (NWDC) has officially commenced applications for its 2025/2026 Foreign Scholarship Programme, targeting undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD candidates from the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In an announcement released by the Commission, the initiative was described as a strategic effort to cultivate academic excellence and develop human capital within the region. The scholarship is intended to give outstanding students from Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara the opportunity to pursue higher education in prestigious international institutions.
The programme, enabled by the NWDC Act of 2024 signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aligns with the Commission’s broader mandate to drive socio-economic development and regional transformation.
Applicants may apply for scholarships in key fields such as Engineering, Medical Sciences, ICT, and Education. Eligibility criteria differ by academic level:
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Undergraduate applicants must have at least five O’Level credits including English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.
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Master’s degree seekers must hold a minimum of Second Class Upper in their Bachelor’s degree.
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PhD candidates require a Master’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 4.00.
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Age limits are 35 years for Undergraduate and Master’s applicants, and 40 years for PhD candidates.
To apply, candidates must submit documents including a CV, academic certificates, transcripts, proof of indigene status, international passport, motivation letter, and NYSC discharge or exemption certificate via the Commission’s scholarship portal: nwdc.gov.ng/scholarships.
This scholarship announcement coincides with the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF)’s own launch of the 2025/2026 Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme. The PTDF programme offers fully funded MSc and PhD education in countries like the UK, Germany, and Malaysia, and is aimed at building technical capacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Both scholarship programmes reflect a coordinated effort by the Nigerian government to strengthen local expertise and expand access to quality global education.
EDUCATION
WAEC Unveils Nigeria’s First Computer-Based WASSCE, Over 1.9 Million Students to Participate
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially announced the introduction of Nigeria’s first Computer-Based Test (CBT) format for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, starting in 2025. This move signals a major shift towards digital examination processes in the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, made the announcement during a press briefing at the Council’s office in Yaba, Lagos. According to him, the introduction of CBT for WASSCE aligns with efforts to modernize exam administration and significantly reduce incidents of malpractice.
He disclosed that no two candidates will receive identical questions, as individualized question sets will now be generated to uphold academic integrity. This innovation is part of a broader strategy to enhance transparency and fairness during examinations.
For the 2025 WASSCE, 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 secondary schools nationwide have registered—an increase of over 158,000 candidates compared to last year. The gender breakdown includes 979,228 males (49.63%) and 994,025 females (50.37%), underscoring a continued rise in female participation.
The examination will cover 74 subjects across 196 papers, and over 26,000 senior secondary school teachers are expected to act as supervisors across the country.
While acknowledging past security challenges, Dr. Dangut assured the public that WAEC has effectively tackled these issues through strategic partnerships with the Nigeria Police Force and various state governments, ensuring a smooth conduct of the examinations.
He also issued a stern warning against exam malpractice. Candidates are expected to stick to their allocated subject papers, as switching papers will lead to serious consequences. WAEC has also implemented a range of digital platforms to aid candidates in preparing for the exams. These include:
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WAEC E-Study Portal: Provides access to past questions, marking guides, and learning plans.
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WAEC E-Learning Portal: Offers performance insights and solutions to common problems.
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WAEC Konnect: A platform for real-time updates and communication with candidates and stakeholders.
Additionally, the Council cautioned against the use of fraudulent websites that claim to offer leaked exam materials. Parents and guardians were advised to avoid engaging with such platforms, which jeopardize students’ academic futures.
The results of the 2025 CBT-WASSCE are expected to be released within 45 days of the final paper, while certificates—also available in digital format—will be issued within 90 days.
Dr. Dangut reaffirmed WAEC’s dedication to conducting credible and transparent examinations, while expressing appreciation to stakeholders and the media for their ongoing support in ensuring the success of the upcoming examination.
EDUCATION
Federal Government Bars Acting Tertiary Institution Heads from Contesting for Permanent Positions
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a new policy disqualifying individuals serving as acting Vice Chancellors, Rectors, or Provosts from vying for the same positions on a substantive basis while still holding the acting role.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This decision, which affects federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, and signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Boriowo Folasade.
According to the ministry, the policy aims to prevent conflicts of interest and eliminate the undue advantage typically enjoyed by acting office holders during the selection process. It was observed that such individuals often leverage their temporary leadership positions to influence appointment outcomes, undermining the fairness and integrity of the recruitment process.
To address this, the new guideline stipulates that any acting VC, Rector, or Provost wishing to apply for the substantive role must first resign from their acting capacity. This resignation must occur within their six-month, non-renewable acting tenure for them to qualify as a candidate.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the Federal Ministry of Education is committed to reinforcing transparency, equity, and good governance in the tertiary education sector. He stated that the policy aligns with existing guidelines issued in 2013 and seeks to foster a more level playing field for all eligible candidates.
All governing councils, school management boards, and stakeholders have been urged to strictly comply with the directive, which is seen as a necessary step toward restoring public trust in leadership appointments across the nation’s tertiary institutions.
The Ministry further expressed gratitude for stakeholders’ continued support and reaffirmed its dedication to advancing quality education through transparent and accountable leadership.
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