Ngige: FG not against new welfare package for lecturers, others - Newstrends
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Ngige: FG not against new welfare package for lecturers, others

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  • ASUU strike: NLC to meet varsity workers leaders

The Federal Government says it is not against negotiating a new welfare package for university workers including lecturers in line with current realities.

It said this as the Nigeria Labour Congress is set to meet with leaders of the university over the face-off between the four university-based unions and the FG concerning the non-payment of minimum wage arrears, the shortfall in salary payment, renegotiation of the 2009 agreement and revitalization funds, among others.

Speaking at a meeting with members of the 2009 FG and university-based unions renegotiation committee, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, said that the government was not happy with the approach being used by the Academic Staff Union of Universities to pursue its demands.

ASUU embarked on a one-month warning strike on February 14 and extended it by another two months at the expiration of the warning strike over the alleged failure of the government to address their demands.

Ngige, at the meeting with the Federal Government Renegotiation Committee in his office, pleaded with the committee to ensure that it concludes its assignment within six weeks as provided in the Memorandum of Action with the unions.

He asked the renegotiation team to keep to the six-week timeline for the conclusion of their assignment.

He said the Federal Government was aware of the level of depreciation to which the Lecturers earning have been subjected due to the rise in the inflationary rate, adding that he had advised the leadership of ASUU to find a better way of pressurizing the Federal Ministry of Education and National Universities Commission to hasten action on the Implementation of agreements reached with the government rather than rushing to strike every time there was a disagreement.

He said, “I am not Minister of Education. I cannot go to the Education minister and dictate to him how to run his place. But I told ASUU that you should be bombarding them at the Federal Ministry of Education for this to be moved forward.

“There are many ways to do so. If you go to the labour act, there is something called picketing. You can picket. The strike is an ultimate thing. Picketing means that you can stay in the corridor, clapping or singing. Workers are permitted to do so.

“But I am tired of every time there is a disagreement, it is a strike. And the bosses in the Federal Ministry of Education don’t feel the strike. It is the children and some of us parents that have our children in public schools.”

The minister also said that he had commissioned studies on productivity vis-a-vis emoluments and that the result was that payments done 10 years ago when the dollar was strong have now lost value with 100 per cent depreciation.

He said, “Why won’t I support if ASUU and their unions now want a renegotiation of their conditions of service, which is the main thing in the proposal by the previous committee?”

Chairman of the 2009 FG and University-based union renegotiation Committee, Prof. Nimi Briggs, said his committee was consulting all the stakeholders with a view to finding an amicable solution to the ASUU dispute.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the NLC has scheduled to meet with the four university-based unions over the ongoing strike in the universities.

NLC said it was worried that public universities in the country have been closed down as a result of the strike embarked by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, Non-Academic Staff Union of Allied Educational Institutions, and the National Association of Academic Technologists.

The four unions affiliated with the NLC shut down universities over unresolved issues including difficulties they face with the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, non-payment of the minimum wage arrears, revatizatipn funds, and nonreview of the 2009 Agreement with the government.

After ASUU commenced strike in February, .SSANU and NASU through its Joint Action Committee, JAC, in March, also embarked on a two-week warning strike following the alleged government failure to address the concerns they raised which includes the nonpayment of minimum wage arrears after many promises made to them by the government.

NAAT also declared its warning strike in early March to press home its demands.

The NLC explained that the scheduled meeting with the four striking unions was to know their level of engagement with the federal government.

Vanguard reported General Secretary of NLC, Emma Ugbaja, as saying on Monday that the meeting slated for 10am on Tuesday at the Labour House was aimed at seeing a way to resolve the face-off between the aggrieved unions and government in the interest of all stakeholders.

Ugbaja said that it was proper to hear from the unions first before taking any position, adding that the interest of labour was to ensure that the matter was sorted out.

Education

Germany Opens Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerians, Africans

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scholarship Academic Education

Germany Opens Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerians, Africans

The government of Germany has announced the commencement of applications for the DAAD scholarship 2026 for Nigerians and Sub-Saharan Africans, offering fully funded opportunities for postgraduate study and research.

The programme, administered by the German Academic Exchange Service, is open to qualified graduates and postgraduates seeking to further their education in Germany’s top universities.

In an official announcement, authorities confirmed that the application deadline is April 29, 2026, urging interested candidates to submit their entries early due to the competitive nature of the scheme.

Opportunities for Nigerians and Africans

The Germany DAAD scholarship covers a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, public health, environmental sciences, economics, governance, and social sciences.

Germany remains a top destination for international students due to its tuition-free or low-cost education system, strong research infrastructure, and globally recognised academic standards.

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Scholarship Benefits

Successful applicants will receive a comprehensive funding package, including:

  • Monthly stipends (approximately €900–€1,200 depending on level)
  • Travel allowance
  • Health insurance
  • Accommodation support
  • Pre-study German language training (where applicable)

The funding typically lasts 12–24 months for Master’s programmes and up to three years or more for PhD studies.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the DAAD scholarship for Nigerians, applicants must:

  • Possess a relevant Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
  • Demonstrate strong academic performance
  • Provide proof of English or German language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
  • Have relevant professional experience (for many courses)

Candidates must also submit a compelling motivation letter explaining how their studies will contribute to development in their home countries.

Application Process and Deadline

Prospective applicants are advised to carefully review the official DAAD guidelines and ensure that all required documents—including academic transcripts, CV, and recommendation letters—are submitted correctly.

Authorities stressed that late applications will not be accepted, urging candidates to apply well ahead of the April 29, 2026 deadline.

Rising Demand for German Scholarships

The DAAD scholarship 2026 is highly competitive, attracting thousands of applicants across Sub-Saharan Africa each year.

The initiative forms part of Germany’s broader commitment to strengthening global academic partnerships, supporting education, and developing future leaders across Africa.

With applications now open, qualified Nigerians are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to study in Germany and enhance their academic and professional careers.

Germany Opens Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerians, Africans

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Education

JAMB Urges Candidates, Parents to Protest Admission Bias as CAPS Ensures Transparency

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JAMB registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede
JAMB registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede

JAMB Urges Candidates, Parents to Protest Admission Bias as CAPS Ensures Transparency

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has urged candidates and parents to speak up against admission bias if they are confident in their UTME scores but are denied admission into their preferred institutions.

JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, made this known during an interview on Good Morning Nigeria, a programme aired by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

He stressed that the current admission system, powered by the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS), is designed to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

According to Oloyede, many parents still resort to illegal means because they believe admission cannot be secured without influence. He described this mindset as having “climbed the ladder to illegality,” warning that such actions are no longer necessary under the present system.

He explained that candidates who meet the required cut-off marks and admission criteria but are unfairly denied admission should formally protest through JAMB, as CAPS allows full visibility into the admission process.

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The registrar highlighted that CAPS enables candidates to track their admission status in real time, accept or reject offers, and ensures institutions follow approved guidelines. He added that the platform prevents schools from secretly manipulating admission lists or replacing qualified candidates.

Oloyede further revealed that since the introduction of CAPS in 2017, cases of admission irregularities have significantly declined, with no major systemic failure recorded.

Addressing concerns about Direct Entry admissions, he noted that JAMB has strengthened its verification process to curb fraud. This includes stricter checks on qualifications such as JUPEB and IJMB certificates, making it increasingly difficult to forge results.

He disclosed that the board now verifies academic credentials directly with awarding institutions, including foreign universities. According to him, recent checks uncovered several fake degrees, with some foreign institutions confirming that such certificates were not issued by them.

The registrar added that JAMB has intensified collaboration with universities and other regulatory bodies to ensure proper screening of A-level results and early detection of fraudulent applications.

He emphasized that with improved digital tracking and verification systems, any attempt to bypass the admission process will be detected, urging candidates to rely on merit rather than shortcuts.

Ultimately, JAMB reiterated that qualified candidates must defend their rights through official channels, as the system now supports fairness and equal opportunity for all.

JAMB Urges Candidates, Parents to Protest Admission Bias as CAPS Ensures Transparency

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Education

Jigawa Arrests Seven Teachers for Cheating During Competency Test

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Nigerian Teachers in Jigawa writing Exam
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Jigawa Arrests Seven Teachers for Cheating During Competency Test

The Jigawa State Government has arrested seven teachers for allegedly engaging in examination malpractice during a large-scale teacher competency assessment involving over 8,400 educators. The arrests are part of the state’s ongoing efforts to improve accountability, professionalism, and learning outcomes in public schools.

The assessment, conducted by the Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), is described as a Teacher Training Needs Assessment, aimed at identifying gaps in teachers’ knowledge and skills to inform targeted training programs.

Chairman of SUBEB, Haruna Musa, confirmed that the affected teachers have been handed over to the police for investigation, emphasizing that the exercise is more than a routine test. “This assessment is not just about testing knowledge; it is about restoring integrity and professionalism in our schools,” he said.

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Musa noted that examination malpractice, whether by teachers or students, undermines the credibility of the education sector and would not be tolerated. He also warned against absenteeism and involvement in partisan politics during school hours.

According to officials, the arrests are intended to serve as a deterrent to others and reinforce the government’s commitment to enforcing discipline and ethical conduct in schools. The arrested teachers are currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether additional personnel were involved.

Education experts have described the crackdown as a critical step toward safeguarding learning standards, emphasizing that teacher integrity directly impacts student achievement and the overall quality of education.

The Jigawa competency test reflects the state government’s determination to ensure that only qualified and competent personnel remain in the public education system, highlighting broader efforts to improve educational outcomes and accountability across Nigeria.

Jigawa Arrests Seven Teachers for Cheating During Competency Test

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