Education

After FG’s payment of arrears, ASUU Says strike continues

Published

4 years ago

May 21, 2022

National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has insisted that its members won’t resume work despite the Federal Government’s payment of minimum wage arrears.

This [was contained in a circular by the University of Lagos branch of the union titled, ‘Payment of minimum wage arrears’.

The chairman of UNILAG ASUU, Dele Ashiru, confirmed the authenticity of the circular to The PUNCH on Saturday.

Ashiru described the arrears payment as “long-overdue”, saying that the core demands of ASUU have not been met.

The circular read, “The leadership of our Branch has been inundated with calls concerning the recent payment of the long-overdue arrears of the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage.

“Our members are reminded that this is not one of the core demands upon which the ongoing strike action is premised.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the demands of our Union are the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, abrogation of the fraudulent and corrupt IPPIS scheme and the deployment of UTAS, payment of promotion arrears, the proliferation of State Universities and governance issues amongst others.

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“While our Union welcomes this unsolicited payment, our members should please conserve the funds and spend wisely so as to energise our struggle until all our demands are satisfactorily met
Our Union commends the resolve and sacrifice of our members in enthroning a University system that is globally competitive.

“United we bargain! Divided we beg! A people united can never be defeated. Solidarity forever”

The PUNCH had reported that the Federal Government had commenced the payment of minimum wage arrears, which it owed lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics and Academic Staff Union of Universities as part of efforts to end ongoing strikes by the unions.

On February 15, ASUU began a four-week rollover strike following the Federal Government’s failure to meet its demands.

The National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said the decision was taken after the union’s National Executive Committee meeting.

Osodeke said since the last meeting the union had with the federal government in December 2021, it had not received any formal invitation from the government.

ASUU extended the action by another two months to afford the government more time to address all of its demands.

The union also accused the government of displaying an indifferent attitude toward its demands.

Osodeke, in a statement to announce the extension of the rollover strike, noted that the national executive council of the union “was disappointed that Government did not treat the matters involved with utmost urgency they deserved during the four-week period as expected of a reasonable, responsive, and well-meaning administration”.

He said the NEC concluded that the government had failed to satisfactorily address all the issues raised in the 2020 Memorandum of Action within the four-week roll-over strike period and resolved that the strike be rolled over for another eight weeks.

Osodeke said the strike continues over the government’s failure to “satisfactorily” implement the Memorandum of Action it signed with the Union in December 2020 on funding for revitalisation of public universities (both Federal and States), renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU Agreement and the deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution.

Other demands of the union as listed by ASUU include Earned Academic Allowances, State Universities, promotion arrears, withheld salaries, and non-remittance of third-party deductions.

Related Topics:arrears ASUU Featured FG strike

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Education

Tinubu Govt Unveils National Laureate Prize to Reward Best Theses

Published

7 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigeria University students in lecture room

Tinubu Govt Unveils National Laureate Prize to Reward Best Theses

The Federal Government of Nigeria, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has launched the Nigeria National Laureate Annual Prize Programme, a landmark initiative designed to reward outstanding student research across tertiary institutions nationwide. The programme aims to elevate academic excellence, research innovation, and intellectual achievement to the forefront of national recognition.

According to a statement from the Federal Ministry of Education, students whose dissertations and theses demonstrate exceptional scholarly quality and commercial viability will receive significant cash prizes and national recognition. Winners will be celebrated as National Laureates, reflecting the country’s commitment to fostering research-driven development.

The awards are structured as follows:

Undergraduate dissertation winners: ₦5 million
Master’s thesis winners: ₦10 million
Doctoral (PhD) thesis winners: ₦20 million

Announcing the programme, Education Minister Tunji Alausa described it as a strategic national intervention aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s educational incentives. He stressed that the initiative underscores the importance of research as a driver of industrialisation and national development, ensuring that students’ academic efforts are matched with prestige and financial reward.

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“By elevating our students to the status of celebrated National Laureates, we are ensuring that the rigour of research and academic excellence is matched with the highest level of national prestige and financial reward,” Alausa said, adding that theses should be viewed as potential blueprints for national progress, not merely graduation requirements.

The programme will be fully financed by the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) and its strategic partners, ensuring sustainability without additional pressure on public funds. Oversight is provided by a 10-member National Laureate Prize Committee, chaired by Prof. Abubakar Sambo, with representatives from the Nigerian Academy of Sciences, Nigerian Academy of Letters, National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), TETFund, and other academic bodies.

The call for entries will commence in May 2026, with evaluations taking place between June and September, and winners to be honoured at the National Laureate Gala in Abuja in November 2026. The initiative also highlights sustainability and innovation, ensuring that research contributes meaningfully to Nigeria’s knowledge economy.

Officials say the programme encourages students to pursue groundbreaking research that can directly impact policy, technology, and industry, while boosting Nigeria’s global academic reputation.

Tinubu Govt Unveils National Laureate Prize to Reward Best Theses

Education

JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Mock Results, Delists Over 20 CBT Centres

Published

1 day ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Mock Results, Delists Over 20 CBT Centres

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 UTME Mock results, following the nationwide mock examination conducted on Saturday, March 28, 2026. The announcement was made on Tuesday by JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, providing candidates with guidance on how to check their results. According to the board, a total of 224,597 candidates registered for the mock UTME, with 152,586 candidates successfully sitting for the test across 989 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide. Candidates can check their scores by sending the keyword “MOCKRESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019 using the same SIM number used during UTME registration.

In a significant move to maintain exam integrity, JAMB also announced the delisting of over 20 CBT centres that faced operational challenges during the mock exam. The affected centres experienced server failures, power outages, and delayed test sessions, which disrupted the examination for many candidates. The board clarified that these centres will remain ineligible for future UTME exercises until they meet the required technical and infrastructure standards.

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JAMB further issued a stern warning against fraudsters claiming to manipulate mock or main UTME scores, particularly on messaging platforms like WhatsApp. The board emphasised that such claims are criminal, cautioning candidates that any involvement could result in cancellation of registration, withholding of results, or withdrawal of scores even after the main exam. Candidates were urged to rely solely on official communication channels for information regarding the UTME.

The main 2026 UTME is scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 16, 2026. JAMB encouraged candidates to use the mock results as an opportunity to assess their readiness, identify areas for improvement, and familiarise themselves with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) system. While mock scores do not contribute to final UTME results, they offer valuable insights for performance improvement and preparation ahead of the main examination.

JAMB continues to emphasise the importance of exam integrity, accurate registration details, and adherence to official guidelines to ensure a smooth, credible, and fair UTME process for all candidates.

JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Mock Results, Delists Over 20 CBT Centres

Education

WAEC Releases 2026 WASSCE Timetable for School Candidates

Published

2 days ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

WAEC Releases 2026 WASSCE Timetable for School Candidates

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) timetable for school candidates across its member countries. The final international schedule, shared on WAEC’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, provides students with a clear roadmap for exam preparation, ensuring they can plan their revision and practical work effectively.

According to the timetable, the 2026 WASSCE will commence on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and conclude on Friday, June 19, 2026, spanning nearly nine weeks of examinations. The exams will kick off with Foods and Nutrition 3 (Practical) Planning Session and Home Management 3 (Practical) Planning Session, marking the start of both practical and theory assessments.

The timetable covers core subjects such as English Language and Mathematics, which are compulsory for all candidates, as well as a broad range of elective papers in sciences, arts, humanities, vocational, and technical subjects. Key science subjects include Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, while elective options span Economics, Government, Geography, Metalwork, and Applied Technology.

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WAEC advised all candidates to carefully check the timetable, confirm their exam dates with school authorities, and ensure they arrive at examination centres fully equipped with approved materials. The council also encouraged students to use the timetable to avoid subject clashes, prepare for both written and practical assessments, and manage study time efficiently.

The WASSCE is a crucial qualification for secondary school students in English-speaking West Africa, serving as the gateway for university and tertiary institution admissions. The exam is conducted annually in WAEC member countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia, and is recognised as a key academic milestone in the region.

With the release of the 2026 timetable, students, parents, and school authorities now have a complete guide to plan study schedules, revision sessions, and exam strategies, helping ensure candidates are well-prepared to succeed.

WAEC Releases 2026 WASSCE Timetable for School Candidates