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Category: Education

  • Oloyede in tears, admits sabotage in UTME exams

    Oloyede in tears, admits sabotage in UTME exams

    Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), on Wednesday betrayed emotion and broke into tears as he apologised  the errors in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

    Oloyede, during a news conference in Bwari, took responsibility of the errors in the just concluded examinations.

    “I apologise for the trauma caused the candidates and I take full responsibility for this,” he said.

    He admitted that errors were made during the 2025 UTME after the investigations carried out.

  • NDDC cautions unsuspecting applicants against fake scholarships

    NDDC cautions unsuspecting applicants against fake scholarships

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has warned the public regarding the activities of fraudsters offering non-existent postgraduate scholarships to unsuspecting victims.

    Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director of Corporate Affairs at the NDDC, issued the warning in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

    She disclosed that the scammers had been soliciting money from members of the public under the pretext of securing scholarship placements.

    “The attention of the NDDC has been drawn to fraudulent emails and messages sent to applicants of the commission’s Postgraduate Foreign Scholarship Programme,” she said.

    Thompson-Wakama revealed that the fraudulent emails, purportedly sent from nddcregistry@gmail.com and claiming to be from the NDDC’s ‘Board Registry,’ invite recipients to a fictitious document verification and authentication exercise.

    According to her, the purported exercise is scheduled to take place from May 19 to May 21 at Bishop Oluwole Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    “Members of the public are hereby advised that the NDDC has no affiliation with this fraudulent selection process,” she stressed.

    She further clarified that all official communication concerning the commission’s scholarship programme are conducted exclusively through the official NDDC portal: www.scholarship.nddc.gov.ng.

    “Applicants are strongly advised to disregard any unsolicited messages requesting money, invitation, sensitive information, or offering scholarship placements outside of the official NDDC procedures,” she added.

    Thompson-Wakama urged anyone who receives such fraudulent emails to report them immediately to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for prompt investigation and action.

    She encouraged Nigerians interested in the NDDC’s programmes to utilise only the official NDDC communication channels.

    “We also advise former beneficiaries of the commission’s programmes and prospective applicants to verify all information through the NDDC’s official website official: www.nddc.gov.ng,” she concluded. 

  • Power challenge: TETFUND to fund Alternative Energy Solutions in tertiary institutions

    Power challenge: TETFUND to fund Alternative Energy Solutions in tertiary institutions

    The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is introducing a special intervention to fund alternative energy to address incessant power challenge in tertiary institutions.

    Chairman, Board of Trustees of TETFund, Aminu Masari, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Alhaji Masari made the disclosure while inaugurating the steering committee for Alternative Energy Solution Initiative in tertiary Institutions

    Masari said the initiative was part of the fund’s commitment to support government’s efforts at ensuring steady power supply in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

    He stressed the importance of power supply as critical to learning and research, which was lacking in most tertiary institutions.

    “We all know the combination of factors to include the increase in tariff which has become unbearable for these institutions, coupled with other issues,” he said.

    The provision of reliable power supply is expected to improve the quality of education and research in tertiary institutions, Masari said.

    The Federal Government also plans to provide steady power to tertiary institutions through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

    The REA aims to provide captive solar hybrid power plants to 15 federal tertiary institutions and two teaching hospitals .

    This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to address power challenge by increasing electricity access to underserved Nigerians.

    While the exact timeline for the completion of this project is not specified, REA has made significant progress in increasing electricity access to underserved communities.

    The agency has more than 67 mini-grids and 995,396 solar home systems deployed.

    The steering committee, has been given two months to summit its preliminary report, and shall be part of the implementation team.

  • No extension of UTME registration after March 8-JAMB

    No extension of UTME registration after March 8-JAMB

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it will not extend registration for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) after March 8.

    This is contained in statement to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday by the Boards Spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin.

    Benjamin said the registration period which began on Feb. 3, would end on March 8, 2025.

    According to him, this deadline has been clearly communicated in all advertisements and the official calendar for the 2025 UTME exercise.

    “We wish to inform all prospective candidates that there will be no extension of the registration period.

    “This notice is particularly important given the recent decline in the number of candidates registering for the examination.

    ” We urge all individuals who wish to participate to register promptly and avoid waiting until the last minute,” he said.

    He added that currently, over 1.5 million candidates had successfully registered, which aligned closely with the Board’s projections for the 2025 examination cycle.

    “It is essential to note that the Board’s calendar is fixed, with numerous subsequent programmes scheduled after registration, including examinations, results management, and admissions exercise.

    “These timelines are coordinated with other agencies whose operations rely on the completion of our processes. Therefore, extending the registration period would disrupt not only the Board’s plans but also those of our partners,” he explained.

    Benjamin encouraged candidates to complete their registration as soon as possible, while also adhering to the established timeline for the 2025 UTME.

  • ASUU at Kaduna Varsity suspends strike

    ASUU at Kaduna Varsity suspends strike

    The Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended the strike ir embarked upon on Feb. 18.

    This is cntained in a statement issed by Dr Peter Adamu, the Chairman of ASUU, KASU chapter on Monday.

    Adamu said that the decision to suspend the action, was taken on Saturday.

    ”The government demonstrated goodwill in resolving the impasse by immediately releasing funds to pay the 60 per cent  of September 2017 withheld salaries and Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) supervision allowance for five sessions.

    ”The government also agreed to a timeline for the payment of the five months, May to September 2022 withheld salaries, promotion arrears, Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), Pension remittance (2009 to 2019), Death benefits, and Group Life Assurance,” he said.

    Adamu also said that the government showed commitment to the implementation of wage award and to grant autonomy to the university.

    The union expressed its appreciation to Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, for his swift intervention and leadership in resolving the issues that led to the strike action.

    The union also thanked the university management, Commissioners for Education, Sports, and other stakeholders for their roles in ensuring a quick resolution of the impasse.

    Adamu called on all academic staff to resume duties and continue rendering invaluable services to the university community.

  • Tinubu sacks Prof. Maikudi as UNIABUJA VC, others 

    Tinubu sacks Prof. Maikudi as UNIABUJA VC, others 

    President Bola Tinubu has sacked Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, which was recently renamed Yakubu Gowon University.

    The President also made changes to the Governing Council of other Universities.

     Along with the dismissal, the entire governing council of the university has been dissolved.

    Professor Lar Patricia Manko has been appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor for six months but will not be eligible for the permanent position. 

    Additionally, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, who is currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been named Pro-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University. 

    Senator Joy Emordi will replace Tejuoso at Makurdi and also take on the role of Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.

    Meanwhile, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), President Tinubu removed Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu as Acting Vice-Chancellor before the expiration of his term on February 14. Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam has been appointed the new Acting Vice-Chancellor for six months. 

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    The university also saw changes in its Pro-Chancellor position, with Gen. Ike Nwachukwu reassigned to the University of Uyo and Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo named Pro-Chancellor of UNN.

    These leadership changes are part of the President’s push to improve governance and accountability within Nigeria’s higher education institutions.

    Nigerian Anchor reports that the appointment of Prof Maikudi as the substantive VC of the University had generated a lot of resentment from her senior colleagues.

    Senior professors of the University alleged that the appointment of Professor Maikudi violated several sections of the university laws, especially regarding her qualification for the job.

    It was contested that Maikudi was not qualified for the post of Vice Chancellor at the time of her appointmment having just been appointed professor barely two years ago.

    It was also alleged that her doctorate degree was hastily approved without passing through the necessary stages of assessment by her examiners.

    A professor who spoke to Nigerian Anchor praised the timely intervention of President Tinubu before the simmering tension generated by Prof Maikudi’s appointment boiled over.

  • Ojukwu varsity staff petition EFCC, accuse VC of corruption

    Ojukwu varsity staff petition EFCC, accuse VC of corruption

    Some members staff of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) have petitioned the EFCC over alleged contract racketeering and abuse of office by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha.

    The staff in a petition signed on their behalf by Mr Joseph Onu, Managing Consultant at Shield and Sword Consult, Legal Practitioners, said that the vice chancellor did not follow due process in the award of contracts.

    The petition titled: “petition against the Acting VC For contract Racketeering Amounting To Public Procurement
    Violation, Fraud and Financial Crimes” also accused Omenugha
    of awarding contracts to family members in violations of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

    The petitioners said that they had concrete evidences to prove the allegations being levelled against the vice chancellor.

    “She has flagrantly abused her office, and indulged in financial rascality through the splitting and awarding of contracts for personal gains.

    READ ALSO: Appeal Court affirms IPOB as a terrorist organisation

    “Due process was not followed in splitting and awarding the contracts for 2024 TETFund Project, there were no public notifications for expression of bids as required by the Public Procurement Act.

    ” The staff biometric capturing was awarded to cronies in total disregard for conflict of interest to a company that was inactive for decades,” the petition read in parts.

    The petitioners further alleged that the facelift of the University Gate House, Igbariam Campus was initiated by the vice chancellor and her family members without input from the University’s Director of Physical Planning and valuation by the Council as required by law.

    “The project had gulped between N65 million and N100 million while the solar street lighting in the College of Medicine, Amaku, Awka awarded for about N20 million in similar manner.

    “This project has never worked in the college with the students left in darkness, the contract sum was paid into the account of the Vice-chancellor’s family member,” they alleged.

    The petitioners said the vice chancellor through her family members took advantage of her office to enter a business transaction with the COOU, to sell only their family table water with the brand name KONCIO within the entire university premises.

    “The vice chancellor circumvented the council directive and introduced another table water named B-ORIENT Table water and gave it monopoly of the water market within the University against the decision of the council.

    “A further investigation and petition by a staff to Council on behalf of the shop owners in the University minimart at the Igbariam campus, got Council to once again direct the stoppage of the sale of B-Orient Table water,” they said.

    The petitioners alleged that the money for the production of Student Identification Card which they claimed was diverted to the cronies of the the vice chancellor and cards were not printed.

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    “These are dues and service charges generated by the Students Affairs Directorate for running of the students’ hostels and other student activities,” they said.

    They also faulted the call for review of the award of 2023 TETFUND Annual Intervention, being the Construction
    of the Department Of Architecture building, describing it as a ploy to extort money from the university.

    “Their actions clearly amount to gross violations of the procurement
    processes and undermines the proper administration of the university,” they said.

    Meanwhile, the management of COOU has dismissed the petition as a calculated attempt to tarnish the reputation of the acting vice chancellor.

    In a statement signed by Dr Harrison Madubueze, the university’s Public Relations Officer, said that the university was not aware of any petition against the vice chancellor.

    “No law enforcement agency has communicated the university with regard to any petition against the acting vice chancellor.

    “If at all there is a petition, it must not be unconnected to the ongoing process for appointment of a substantive vice chancellor for the university.

    “It must be a deliberate attempt to stop her from being appointed, this development exposes the true motives of the faceless beings behind these allegations.

    “Prof. Omenugha has spearheaded transformative change across various facets of the university in terms of values, infrastructure, research, curriculum and standing of the University, including community engagement,” it said.

  • 2025 UTME Registration, Exam Dates Released

    2025 UTME Registration, Exam Dates Released

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has shared the schedule for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). 

    A statement from the examination board yesterday in Abuja, indicates that Registration will start on January 31, 2025, and close on March 5, 2025. Direct Entry candidates can purchase application forms and e-PINs from March 10 to April 7, 2025.

     it was also stated that the Mock-UTME is set for April 5, while the main UTME will take place between April 25 and May 5, 2025.

    JAMB explained that candidates opting for the mock exam will pay ₦8,200, while those skipping it will pay ₦7,200. 

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    The fees include charges for application forms, reading materials, CBT center services, and bank fees.

    Additionally, a mock UTME for candidates under 16 has been introduced to help them prepare, though it will not count for admission. However, candidates must be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2025, to qualify for admission into tertiary institutions. 

    Exceptions may be made for candidates under 15 who score 280 or higher in the UTME and excel in other required exams.

  • Out-of-school children: UNICEF moves to cut number in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina

    Out-of-school children: UNICEF moves to cut number in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has reiterated its commitment to supporting Jigawa, Kano and Katsina States to reduce the high rate of out-of-school children and improve the education sector.

    The UNICEF Chief of Kano Field Office, Mr Rahama Mohammed-Farah, made the disclosure at a media briefing on the International Day of Education (IDE) 2025, on Friday in Kano.

    He revealed that North-West has the second highest number of out-of-schools in Nigeria.

    “The situation of out-of-school population in Kano, Jigawa and Katsina States is alarming, and further exacerbated by poor learning outcomes for those children who are fortunate to be enrolled in school.

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    “There are currently about 10.2 million children at the primary level who are out-of-school in Nigeria, 16 per cent of them are from Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states, according to MICS 2021.

    “Katsina State alone has 536,112 out-of-school children,” he said.

    Mohammed-Farah said UNICEF would continue to support those states in the areas of increasing enrollment drive, building the capacity of their teachers, improving infrastructure and providing instructional materials.

    Other areas of intervention, he said, were the provision of personal hygiene and sanitation facilities, safe drinking water points and creating a conducive learning environment.

    Mohammed-Farah, who said the importance of education can never be over-emphasised, described education as a fundamental human right and engine of development of every society.

    READ ALSO: Minister warns African women against skin bleaching

    The chief of the field office, therefore, urged those states to intensify efforts in increasing appropriation, release of funds for basic education.

    He also said that UNICEF has been supporting psychosocial programmes for children affected by conflicts, violence, or other forms of trauma.

    The support, he said, helped them to cope with their experiences and foster a safe learning atmosphere.

    He added that UNICEF introduced innovative approaches such as integrating technology into education to enhance learning opportunities for thousands of students through the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP).

    According to him, 182,170 children, teachers, and parents registered in it and they were benefiting from the programme.

    He explained that the digital learning platform had provided free access to 15,000 curricular-aligned content.

  • NUC Upgrades Medical Programmes in Nigerian Universities

    NUC Upgrades Medical Programmes in Nigerian Universities

    The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced that certain medical-related courses in Nigerian universities have been upgraded from bachelor’s degrees to doctoral programmes. 

    This change affects degrees in Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, and Optometry, now offering Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D), Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT), and Doctor of Optometry.

    The decision aims to improve the clinical experience of students by adding more practical sessions and foundational courses.

    READ ALSO: Tinubu gets a Federal Polytechnic in Abuja

     This will allow students to gain better clinical skills and cover all specialty areas comprehensively. 

    The programmes have also been extended from five years to six to accommodate the new curriculum.

    NUC emphasized that this move aligns with international standards for medical training, ensuring Nigerian degrees are competitive globally in terms of employability and further studies.

     However, the Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science (DMLS) programme has not been approved for upgrading and remains unavailable in Nigerian universities.