Excluding private varsity students from loan scheme unjust – JABU VC

The Vice-Chancellor of Joseph Ayodele Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, Professor Olasebikan Fakulojo, has criticized the federal government for excluding private university students from the student loan scheme. He described the decision as an act of “injustice.”

Speaking during a media briefing ahead of JABU’s 15th convocation ceremony, Prof. Fakulojo questioned why students in private universities are denied access to loans meant to support Nigerian students in higher education.

He argued that all Nigerian students deserve equal access to such schemes, regardless of the type of institution they attend.

According to the vice-chancellor, the Nigerian University Student Loan Scheme Act does not explicitly exclude private university students.

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He pointed out that private institutions contribute to public revenues through taxes, unlike public universities, making their exclusion unfair.

To ensure equity, Prof. Fakulojo suggested setting a loan cap, such as N500,000 or N1 million per student, to account for the differences in tuition fees across institutions. This measure, he believes, would address the funding disparities.

He highlighted JABU’s upcoming conference and shared that 626 graduates will receive degrees, including 50 first-class honours and 114 postgraduate awards in PGD, MSc, MA, and PhD categories.

Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of President Bola Tinubu, will be among those to be honoured with honorary doctorate degrees.

Excluding private varsity students from loan scheme unjust – JABU VC

ASUU declares indefinite strike in Nigerian university

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in one of Nigerian universities, Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), Bauchi, has announced an indefinite strike over unresolved demands for better working conditions from the university management.

Addressing journalists following an emergency congress at the Yuli Campus in Bauchi, the Chairperson of ASUU’s SAZU branch, Awwal Nuhu, stated that all avenues for negotiation had been exhausted without any positive response from the authorities.

Nuhu said, “The congress observed that it had exhausted all mechanisms, and all attempts to get the authorities to attend to its demands were fruitless.”

He further highlighted the lack of commitment from both the university administration and the government to address their grievances.

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“Therefore, a member of the union moved for a motion for the branch to embark on a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike action, which was seconded by another member,” Nuhu explained.

According to him, the congress passed a resolution for the strike to begin at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 29, 2024. He emphasized that all ASUU members at SAZU are expected to comply with the directive, with all academic activities suspended indefinitely.

“Members are directed to embark on a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike action until further notice. This implies that activities such as teaching, marking, meetings, accreditation, and any other activities related to academic staff are suspended indefinitely,” he added.

The strike is aimed at compelling the university management and relevant authorities to address the union’s demands, which have remained unresolved despite numerous efforts.

ASUU declares indefinite strike in Nigerian university

Increase in first-class degrees from private varsities worries ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed concern over the increasing number of first-class graduates being produced by private universities in Nigeria.

Speaking at an event in honor of Prof. Andy Egwunyenga, the outgoing Vice Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU), ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, warned that such trends, if replicated by public universities without proper regulation, could undermine the integrity of academic achievements.

The ceremony, held at DELSU’s Abraka campus, saw Osodeke reflecting on the broader state of education in Nigeria. He lamented that students graduating from primary and secondary schools with high grades often lack adequate knowledge and skills.

The ASUU president also raised alarm over the ongoing “mass exodus” of skilled Nigerian professionals to countries offering better work conditions, linking the trend to systemic failures in education and other sectors. He cited incidents such as building collapses as evidence of institutional shortcomings.

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“There was a time when academics enjoyed a decent quality of life,” Osodeke said. “Now, the situation has changed, and unions must renew efforts to advocate for fair conditions. ASUU will continue to champion justice and equity in academia.”

Another ASUU member, Prof. Omotoye Olorode, presented a paper titled “New University Curricula (CCMAS): Context and Matters Arising,” criticizing the CCMAS as a tool of foreign influence designed to disrupt Nigeria’s academic frameworks. He argued it perpetuates a system where Africans are relegated to supporting the agricultural needs of developed nations.

“Nigeria has never allocated more than seven percent of its budget to education, far below UNESCO’s recommendation of 26 percent,” Olorode noted. “This reflects the stagnation in our education sector.”

The event also celebrated Egwunyenga’s achievements as vice chancellor. DELSU ASUU Chairman, Dr. Paul Opone, commended Egwunyenga for his leadership, stating, “Since 2019, the institution has struggled with poor leadership. Prof. Egwunyenga met and exceeded the expectations of ASUU and the university community, earning widespread respect.”

In his response, Egwunyenga expressed gratitude for the accolades, crediting his leadership style to the themes in Festus Iyayi’s book, Demons and Monsters. He highlighted the support he received from all parts of Delta State during his tenure.

“This is the first time ASUU has celebrated a DELSU lecturer in this manner,” Opone added. “Prof. Egwunyenga truly deserves the recognition.”

Increase in first-class degrees from private varsities worries ASUU