EDUCATION
ASUU Issues 21-Day Ultimatum to Federal Government Over Unresolved Issues
ASUU Issues 21-Day Ultimatum to Federal Government Over Unresolved Issues....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to address several unresolved issues affecting Nigerian universities. This announcement was made during a press conference at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, on Wednesday.
Key Issues Highlighted by ASUU
Emmanuel Osodeke, the President of ASUU, outlined several pressing concerns that prompted this ultimatum. These include:
- Emergency Revitalization Fund: ASUU is demanding the establishment of a fund to revitalize public universities.
- Payment of Outstanding Academic Allowances: The union is seeking the payment of long-overdue earned academic allowances for its members.
- Release of Withheld Salaries and Promotion Arrears: ASUU calls for the immediate release of withheld salaries and the settlement of promotion arrears for university staff.
- Third-Party Deductions: The resolution of third-party deductions from members’ salaries is also a priority.
- Stoppage of Illegal Recruitments: The union urges the government to stop illegal recruitment practices within universities.
- Proliferation of Public Universities: ASUU highlights the abuse of laws and regulations governing universities, contributing to the proliferation of public universities.
- Treasury Single Account: The removal of universities from the treasury single account is demanded to support the autonomy of these institutions.
Background and Context
Osodeke explained that these issues were reviewed during ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held at the University of Ibadan from August 17 to 18, 2024. The meeting focused on the ongoing challenges faced by Nigerian universities and the detrimental impact on university workers’ efforts to transform the education system.
The union expressed deep concern over the worsening living and working conditions within universities and the broader societal context. Reports from the NEC indicated a failure by the government to fulfill previous promises made to address these issues, which led to the nationwide strike action from February to October 2022.
Urgent Call for Action
ASUU’s meeting revealed that many experienced scholars continue to leave Nigeria for countries that may have fewer resources but better appreciate their expertise. The union criticized the government’s perceived bureaucratic approach, which they believe hinders progress on essential reforms.
Osodeke stated, “The union is worried that Government appears fixated on its self-serving approach of legalistic and bureaucratic arm-twisting.” He emphasized that the issues affecting universities have been ongoing for over a decade, with significant challenges related to the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement and the need for impactful funding.
Resolution and Next Steps
In light of these discussions, ASUU NEC condemned the government’s slow response to these pressing issues and issued a 21-day ultimatum for resolution. The union will reconvene at the end of this period to decide on further actions if their demands are not met.
ASUU also expressed a commitment to national dialogue, advocating for unity and the rejection of divisive practices that threaten the peaceful coexistence of the Nigerian people.
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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