Education

Review hike in school fees, ASUU president, others advise FG

Published

3 years ago

July 24, 2023

National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke

Review hike in school fees, ASUU president, others advise FG

The National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, has urged the Federal Government to review the hike in fees in its schools.

He urged the government to do so and find a safe landing for the nation’s future leaders.

Osodeke was speaking against the backdrop of the recent hike in fess of Unity Colleges and some first generation public tertiary institutions in the country.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Sunday in Lagos that the hike in fees could be counterproductive.

Recall that the University of Lagos was the latest of the public universities to increase its fees from N25,000 to almost N200,000, depending on programme.

The university had announced an adjustment in the obligatory fees for both returning and new students of the institution, with effect from Sept 1, for the 2023/2024 academic session.

A breakdown of the fees by the institution showed that the mandatory charges for one academic session for new undergraduate students are N126, 325, for courses without laboratory/studio.

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It also approved N176,325 as mandatory charges for one academic session for courses with laboratory and studio.

A further breakdown of the approved mandatory charges for one academic year for returning students showed N100,750 for courses without laboratory and studio, while approved mandatory charges for courses with laboratory and studio was N140,250.

Approved charges for Medical students was put at N190,250.

The institution also fixed N20,000 as utility charge to be paid by all undergraduate students, while a total of N30,000 was to be paid by all final year students.

According to the university, the review came after careful deliberations with its stakeholders (students, parents/guardians, staff unions, alumni among others).

It had explained that the adjustment in fees was in view of the prevailing economic realities, for it to be able to meet its obligations to its students, staff and municipal service providers among others.

Osodeke said that the best way out to issues was to adopt holistic approach, noting that policies should be people centred.

“I think the whole thing now boils down to the parents. These have been part of our agitations. We were fighting on the need to right some wrongs, but rather than get support, we were attacked.

“It may interest you to know that UNILAG is not the only tertiary institution that has hiked fees in recent times.

“The likes of Bayero University Kano, Benin and Abuja among others, have all done the same. What this will translate to, is for children of the poor to withdraw from school.

“However, we should be mindful of the inherent danger that may accompany such development, when it comes to vices, especially among youth. It could become a willing pool to recruit from. It is indeed sad.

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“We hope the current administration will review the whole situation and find a safe landing for these our future leaders.

‘Government could set up a high-powered commission, made up of people of integrity and brain, to review all the issues, as it concerns the country’s education sector. And like I said, it has been done in the past,” the unionist said.

Also reacting, one of the students of the institution who pleaded anonymity, called on well meaning Nigerians to prevail on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene on the situation.

The 400 level student of the Faculty of Engineering told NAN that the hike in fees could mean the end of his academic pursuit as he was responsible for his education.

“I used to do menial jobs to see myself through school, especially during vacation. Sometimes I do night guard in some establishments around.

”My parents are both not too strong and hence I took up the challenge to do something for myself, so that at the end, I will be able to take care of my siblings and my parents too.

“Even before now, it has not been easy. With the current increase, what do I do, where do I start from, who do I run to. Should I just allow all I have been able to achieve getting to this level go down the drain?. I may not be able to stand this,” he said.

A prospective student, who gave her name simply as Mercy, said her parents were already having a second thought concerning her joining the institution, following the increase in fees.

According to her, the situation has thrown the family into confusion, as it is becoming increasingly clear that her parents may not be able to meet up with such demands, considering the current economic realities in the country.

Mercy, who had been given placement in the institution to study Pharmacy, noted that she may lose the opportunity and opt for skills acquisition.

“My parents had supported me to this stage and were positive about seeing me through the university, even from their meagre resources but with this current hike in fees, it is clear that my dreams for academic progression may no longer materialise,” she said.

Another student who also pleaded anonymity appealed to the Federal Government to reconsider the fees, as the development could have unintended consequences.

The final year student of Accounting urged government to plough back recovered government funds into the education sector, to bring relief to parents, especially in the face of the ripple effect of the subsidy removal.(NAN)

Related Topics:ASUU Featured FG school fees

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Education

FG Opens PTDF Scholarship 2026: Requirements, Deadline, and Application Steps

Published

2 days ago

April 20, 2026

Trends Admin

NDDC shortlists applicants for foreign scholarship award

FG Opens PTDF Scholarship 2026: Requirements, Deadline, and Application Steps

The Federal Government has officially opened applications for the 2025/2026 PTDF in-country scholarship in Nigeria, offering financial support to undergraduate and postgraduate students studying engineering and energy-related disciplines in Nigerian universities.

The programme, administered by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), opened its portal on Monday, April 20, 2026, and will close on Friday, May 29, 2026. The initiative is part of efforts to boost local capacity in Nigeria’s oil, gas, and energy sectors and reduce reliance on foreign expertise.

As demand grows for skilled professionals in the energy industry, the PTDF scholarship 2026 targets students in fields such as petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, geosciences, environmental management, and energy economics. Only candidates admitted into accredited Nigerian universities are eligible to apply.

Applications must be completed online via the official PTDF portal: https://scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng, where candidates are expected to follow a structured process carefully to avoid disqualification.

Applicants must possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), as NIN verification for PTDF scholarship is a mandatory requirement. The selection process is merit-based, considering academic performance and the relevance of the applicant’s course to national development priorities.

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The application procedure is detailed and must be followed step by step to ensure a successful submission.

Step-by-step application process

Create an account
Visit the PTDF scholarship portal and register by filling in your personal details. A confirmation email will be sent with instructions to activate your account and set a password.
Log in to the portal
Use your registered email address and password to access the application dashboard.
Verify your NIN
Complete the NIN verification process before proceeding. PTDF advises candidates to avoid repeated failed attempts and instead use support channels if issues arise.
Accept terms and conditions
Carefully read and accept the disclaimer and terms of the programme. Failure to accept automatically ends the application process.
Fill the application form
Complete all required sections with accurate information. Ensure consistency with your official documents to avoid disqualification.
Select course and institution
Choose your preferred universities and programmes (first, second, and third choices). Postgraduate applicants must upload a statement of purpose for PTDF scholarship (MSc) or a research proposal (PhD).
Upload required documents
Submit all mandatory documents, including academic certificates, birth certificate, and local government identification. Files must meet specified size and format requirements (usually PDF).
Add additional credentials (optional)
Upload professional memberships, certifications, or publications where applicable to strengthen your application.
Review your application
Carefully preview all entries and documents to correct any errors before submission.
Submit your application
Finalise and submit your application. Note that no edits can be made after submission, and multiple submissions may lead to disqualification.

The PTDF scholarship application process is highly competitive, and only candidates who meet all requirements and demonstrate strong academic potential will be selected. Successful applicants will receive support covering tuition, stipends, and essential learning materials.

Unlike its overseas counterpart, the PTDF in-country scholarship scheme focuses on strengthening Nigeria’s domestic education system and building a skilled workforce within local institutions. Experts say the programme plays a critical role in bridging technical skill gaps and supporting reforms in the energy sector.

The initiative also aligns with national policies under the Electricity Act 2023, which emphasise local capacity development and sustainable energy growth.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early via https://scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng and ensure full compliance with all guidelines before the May 29, 2026 deadline to improve their chances of success in the 2026 PTDF scholarship Nigeria programme.

FG Opens PTDF Scholarship 2026: Requirements, Deadline, and Application Steps

Education

University Workers’ Union Gives FG Ultimatum Over Failed Renegotiation

Published

2 days ago

April 20, 2026

Trends Admin

Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU)

University Workers’ Union Gives FG Ultimatum Over Failed Renegotiation

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has issued a strong warning to the Federal Government, insisting that ongoing negotiations on university workers’ welfare must be concluded by April 30, 2026, or face a nationwide industrial action.

The warning followed a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Saturday at the union’s national secretariat in Abuja, where leaders reviewed the status of the long-running renegotiation process between university-based unions and the Federal Government.

In a communiqué signed by SSANU National President, Muhammad Ibrahim, the union stressed that contrary to reports circulating in the public space, the renegotiation process has not been concluded and no final agreement has been signed.

The union also dismissed claims suggesting that a 30 percent increase in allowances had already been approved, describing such reports as misleading and not reflective of the ongoing discussions.

SSANU warned that it will not accept any outcome that falls below the agreed expectations reached during negotiations, insisting that principles of fairness, collective bargaining, and due process must be respected by the Federal Government.

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The NEC reaffirmed its earlier ultimatum issued alongside the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, giving the government from April 1 to April 30, 2026, to conclude negotiations and sign a binding agreement.

It warned that failure to meet the deadline would leave both unions with no option but to embark on an indefinite, comprehensive, and total strike action across Nigerian universities, potentially disrupting academic and administrative activities nationwide.

SSANU further urged its members across all branches to remain calm, vigilant, and united, while preparing to fully comply with any directive issued by the union leadership in defence of their welfare and professional dignity.

The union also reiterated its commitment to pursuing justice through dialogue but insisted that it would not hesitate to act if the Federal Government fails to demonstrate urgency in addressing the outstanding issues.

The dispute is largely centered on unresolved demands relating to salary structure adjustments, welfare packages, earned allowances, and poor funding of Nigerian universities, which SSANU says have remained pending for years.

Education stakeholders have warned that another breakdown in negotiations could once again trigger widespread disruptions in the Nigerian university system, which has experienced repeated strikes in recent years.

University Workers’ Union Gives FG Ultimatum Over Failed Renegotiation

Education

UTME 2026: Gov Alia Seeks Exam Reschedule for Alleged Kidnapped Candidates

Published

2 days ago

April 20, 2026

Trends Admin

Eight Kidnapped UTME Candidates Freed in Benue After Three Days

UTME 2026: Gov Alia Seeks Exam Reschedule for Alleged Kidnapped Candidates

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appealed to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to reschedule the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for eight candidates allegedly affected by a kidnapping incident along the Makurdi–Otukpo road.

The governor made the appeal on Sunday at the Government House in Makurdi shortly after confirming that all abducted victims had been rescued by security operatives.

He said the request was necessary to ensure that the affected candidates are not deprived of their opportunity to sit for the UTME 2026 examination, especially given the traumatic circumstances surrounding the incident.

Governor Alia explained that the victims were kidnapped last Wednesday while travelling along the Makurdi–Otukpo highway in Benue State. According to him, a total of 15 persons were abducted, while two of the victims escaped shortly after the attack. The remaining 13 were later rescued during a coordinated operation by the Nigerian Army, with support from local communities.

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The rescue reportedly took place in a forest area at Okere ward in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.

He said, “Many of the students were travelling to Otukpo. Seven were regular passengers, and 15 were kidnapped that fateful day. One of the victims escaped, and another escaped the following day. Today, all the remaining 13 kidnap victims were rescued by the security agents with the cooperation of the communities.”

Following the rescue, Governor Alia urged JAMB to make special arrangements for the eight individuals he described as young students preparing for the UTME, asking that they be given another opportunity to sit for the examination.

“I call on JAMB to look into the case of the eight young students and reschedule dates for them to write their examination,” he said.

However, the incident has generated conflicting accounts regarding the identity of the victims. The Benue State Police Command, through its spokesperson Udeme Edet, earlier stated that the abducted passengers were not UTME candidates, describing such reports as misinformation.

Similarly, JAMB’s Public Communications Adviser, Fabian Benjamin, clarified that the victims were actually travelling to participate in a police recruitment exercise in Makurdi and were returning to Otukpo at the time of the incident.

The conflicting statements have created uncertainty over whether the affected individuals were indeed UTME candidates, with authorities expected to carry out further verification before any decision is taken on a possible exam rescheduling request.

The incident has also renewed concerns over security along the Makurdi–Otukpo highway, a route that has witnessed repeated cases of kidnapping in recent years. Security agencies say efforts are ongoing to strengthen surveillance and prevent further attacks in the area.