“I will be firm, fair, and transparent in the discharge of my duties. UNN must not lag behind in the current technological revolution, characterised by the rivalry between OpenAI and DeepSeek,” he assured.
Education
Talks with FG panel over strike fruitless – SSANU
The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions has said no tangible achievement was recorded at the Federal Government Renegotiation Panel.
Speaking in an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday, the National Vice-President, SSANU, Dr. Abdussobur Salaam, said the panel met only once with SSANU since it was inaugurated on March 7, 2022.
The PUNCH had reported that the committee, which was chaired by the Pro-Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Emeritus Prof. Nimi Briggs, was given three months to conclude the renegotiation with the four university unions and send the report to Federal Government.
The committee’s timeline ended on Monday.
It is believed that the committee will submit its report to the Federal Government this week or get an extension.
But Salaam explained that the Briggs committee’s engagements with SSANU had been minimal and the timeline was not being adhered to.
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He said, “Within the three months timeline, SSANU has only had one meeting with the Briggs renegotiation team. The meeting was held on Friday, April 8, 2022. Today, being June 7, makes it exactly two months ago.
“At the meeting, nothing tangible was put on the table. No offer was made by the government, particularly on improved conditions of service and welfare of our members.
“The government’s side seems not to be sure of itself and groping in the dark as far as its mandate is concerned.
“As of now, we have no reason to express satisfaction because even the paces of the discussions have been too slow. If it has taken two months after the first meeting with SSANU and no meeting has been called, it gives room to doubt the willingness and capacity of the committee to deliver on its mandate.”
He suggested that the panel be properly empowered to take decisions on behalf of the government.
Salaam said, “The Committee should be properly empowered to take decisions on behalf of the government. To be breathed down upon by government officials as the engagements with the committee suggest is not good for confidence building. They should show that they have a mandate to commit on behalf of the government.
“Similarly, the committee appears not to take cognisance of the timelines in the discharge of its assignment. Whatever the bottlenecks militating against the timelines should be removed.
“If we have only had one meeting within the three months timeline with nothing tangible being put on the table, it leaves much to be desired and it is highly unfortunate.”
When our correspondent contacted Briggs on the telephone for reactions on SSANU’s complaints and other issues, he declined comment, saying, “I don’t react to anything on telephone.”
SSANU’s strike started with a warning strike of two weeks which commenced on March 27, 2021, while the extension of another two weeks commenced on Sunday, April 10, 2022.
The union’s demands include the inconsistent issue of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, unpaid earned allowances, and delay in the renegotiation of FGN, NASU, SSANU agreements, and non-payment of minimum wage arrears.
Others include neglect and poor funding of state universities, non-payment of retirement benefits to outgoing members of the unions, and usurpation of the headship of non-teaching units in clear violation of conditions of service and establishment procedures, among others.
Education
UNN appoints Prof Olayiwola Usman as first Yoruba DVC (Academics)
UNN appoints Prof Olayiwola Usman as first Yoruba DVC (Academics)
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has appointed Professor Kamoru Olayiwola Usman, a Yoruba Muslim from Oyo State, as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), marking the first time in the institution’s history that a person of Yoruba descent has held the position.
The appointment, made by the Acting Vice-Chancellor (Ag. VC), Professor Oguejiofo T. Ujam, is part of ongoing reforms aimed at fostering inclusive governance and restoring the university’s academic excellence.
In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the university reaffirmed its commitment to merit-based leadership and national unity.
Professor Ujam stated: “The appointment of Professor Usman reflects our resolve to prioritise competence over sectional considerations. It is imperative that we sustain this culture of inclusivity and meritocracy to move the university forward.”
In addition to Professor Usman’s appointment, the Acting VC also named Dr Mansur Adebowale Saddiq as Acting Director of the Medical Centre, further demonstrating his commitment to promoting excellence over sectional interests.
Both appointments have been widely welcomed by scholars and students from diverse backgrounds, recognising them as steps towards strengthening national unity within the institution.
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Professor Usman, who succeeds Professor Urama, holds a PhD in Mathematics Education and previously served as Provost of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo State, from 2015 to 2023.
A distinguished academic, he is a fellow of the Mathematical Association of Nigeria and a member of several professional bodies, including the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies and the Nigerian Educational Research Association. His initial tenure as DVC (Academics) will last for two years, with the possibility of renewal.
Meanwhile, the statement also highlighted that during a recent University Senate meeting, Professor Ujam emphasised the collective responsibility of repositioning UNN as a centre for ethical and innovative learning.
“A collective effort is required to place the institution on a steady path towards ethical and innovative learning. UNN must regain its pride of place as Nigeria’s premier university. We must rid the system of narrow-minded sectionalism and divisive tendencies that have eroded the enabling environment for research, comparative studies, and the adaptive application of new knowledge,” the statement read.
Education
FG to pay corps members backlog of delayed N77,000 allowance
FG to pay corps members backlog of delayed N77,000 allowance
The Federal Government has promised to pay the backlog of the new ₦77,000 monthly allowance to members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The corps members’ allowance was increased from ₦33,000 to ₦77, 000 in September 2024.
However, the new rate has yet to be implemented.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, on Monday said serving corps members and those in the scheme when the increment was announced in September 2024 would receive a backdated payment.
He gave the assurance when he was featured on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He said, “You saw the new DG saying that you will get it, and they’re asking him a question ‘What about those that are going out now, are they going to receive it [backlog]?’ He said ‘We have your details’,” the minister said.
“The backlog, we will work on it and make sure it is paid. It may not be immediate but it will happen.”
Education
Why postgraduate students are ineligible for FG loan – NELFUND
Why postgraduate students are ineligible for FG loan – NELFUND
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has clarified the eligibility criteria for the scheme, explaining why students pursuing post-graduate programmes are not qualified to apply for the facility.
Managing Director of the Fund, Akintunde Sawyerr, gave the revelation while speaking on TVC’s Breakfast Saturday.
Sawyerr also addressed concerns regarding postgraduate students’ eligibility for the loan, explaining that the facility is currently only available to students pursuing their first degree.
“The way the President has set this up and the way he has insisted that this must work is that you don’t need to know anybody to access this loan. And that’s what we are doing. No connections, no long leg, no man-know-man. We are not going to allow it to happen. The President wants us to completely democratize education.”
Although repayments have not yet been received, the Managing Director assured that the Fund is developing a robust repayment structure to facilitate timely and effective loan repayments.
He said currently, postgraduate students are not eligible to apply for the loan, as the primary focus is on supporting students pursuing their first degree.
Future plans for postgraduate students
Sawyerr, however, offered a glimmer of hope for postgraduate students, indicating that they may be eligible for the loan facility in the future.
“Post-graduate students can’t apply for this loan. We have a lot of people in this country who are just trying to get on the first rung of the ladder as far as tertiary education is concerned. The funds we have are focused on those people who are looking for their first opportunity.
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“I congratulate those who have graduated who are doing their Master’s or PhDs, it’s fantastic. At some point in the future, we will be able to fund them. Today, we are looking for those who need us most. They are the people we want to support.”
He emphasized that while plans exist to extend financial support to postgraduate students, the immediate priority remains assisting undergraduates who face financial difficulties.
The Fund is committed to ensuring that students do not drop out of tertiary institutions due to lack of funds, and future adjustments to the loan scheme will be considered based on available resources and policy direction.
Over 271,000 students enrolled
According to the Managing Director, revealed that more than 271,000 Nigerian students pursuing tertiary education have received a financial lifeline through the Federal Government’s Student Loan program since its launch in May 2024.
“Nigerian students are reacting extremely positively to the initiative. And as more disbursements happen, they are becoming more trusting. One of the interesting things going on at the moment is that President Bola Tinubu is restoring trust in the government. The students are receiving it well. We are transparent about what we are doing.
“In total, to date, we have about 271,000 Nigerian students who have either had their fees paid or their fees plus upkeep,” he noted.
As of Saturday, March 22, out of 521,000 students who have registered for the loan facility, approximately 438,000 have submitted their applications.
Why postgraduate students are ineligible for FG loan – NELFUND
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