Education

ASUU holds Nat’l Executive Committee meeting, mum on outcome

Published

3 years ago

December 20, 2021

National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke

*We’ll let you know, says president

THE Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, held its National Executive Committee meeting, Saturday, to review the progress of meetings held with zonal affiliate bodies following the recent expiration of its deadline to the federal government to meet its demands.

The meeting which was held at the union’s national secretariate, located inside the University of Abuja main campus, Vanguard gathered, took far-reaching decisions.

The meeting which was also said to have started some few minutes past 3 pm, ended at about 8:30 pm.

But the union which had last week said Nigerians would know its next line of action immediately, following the expiration of its ultimatum and the inability of the government to accede to its demands, decided to keep mum on the outcome of Saturday’s meeting.

National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, who was called to speak on the outcome of their deliberations, told Vanguard on the telephone, Sunday, that the union’s decision would be communicated to the public. He, however, declined to state when the decisions would be to the public.

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“Asked to state when the communication would be made, he said, “We will let you know”, refusing to say anything further.

Also contacted to speak on the outcome of the Saturday meeting, the University of Abuja ASUU chairman, Dr Kasim Umar, declined comments, directing Vanguard to the national president of the body.

“It is only the national president of ASUU that can talk on the outcome of our meeting,” he told Vanguard.

There are concerns that the lecturers’ body may have resolved in the meeting to call out a nationwide industrial action to press home its demands.

Recall that a fortnight ago, Prof Osodeke had hinted that a meeting of the principal officers of the union held earlier, resolved that a consultation meeting be held with branches, saying the National Executive Committee meeting would come up short.

Recall also that the body had claimed that the federal government met only one out of the demands of the union.

According to ASUU, the demand met was only the revitalisation funds of N30bn which it claimed only N20 billion was paid to the universities.

Recall also that ASUU had on November 15, 2021, given the government a three-week ultimatum to accede to its demands or face another industrial action.

It had accused the federal government of failing to implement the Memorandum of Action, MoA, agreed upon.

The body had called on parents and all patriotic Nigerians to hold the government responsible if it failed to address the issues within three weeks.

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Prof. Osokede had claimed that the government was yet to live up to expectations in spite of ASUU’s meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige on October 14, on major outstanding issues which include, funding for revitalisation of public universities and earned academic allowances.

Other outstanding issues, he said, were University Transparency Accountability Solution,UTAS, promotion arrears, renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, and the inconsistencies in IPPIS payment, which up till now had not been addressed.

“ASUU is fully committed to upholding academic integrity in the universities and is working to make them more globally competitive. We are equally committed to promoting industrial harmony in the Nigerian university system for as long as all stakeholders are willing and committed to play their part.

“We call on all vice-chancellors, as the main drivers of the system to join us in this mission to safeguard the waning image of our universities.

“They have no business trading honorary degrees and academic positions for personal and immediate gains; thereby smearing the collective integrity of committed scholars and other patriots who are working day and night to uplift the system that produced them.

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“Our union shall not shy away from taking the fight to administrators of Nigerian universities as well as internal and external agents who are bent on compromising the standards ASUU has consistently laboured to protect and improve. The government of Nigeria should be held responsible should ASUU be forced to activate the strike it patriotically suspended.

“We call on all patriotic Nigerians and lovers of Nigeria to prevail on the federal and state governments to act fast to prevent another round of industrial crisis in Nigeria’s public universities,” he had added.

Vanguard

Related Topics:ASUU committee Featured mum Nat’l Executive outcome

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Education

FG announces 2025/2026 overseas scholarship for graduates (See how to apply)

Published

51 minutes ago

April 25, 2025

Trends Admin

FG announces 2025/2026 overseas scholarship for graduates (See how to apply)

The Federal Government, through the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), has opened applications for the 2025/2026 edition of its Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme (OSS), targeting academically qualified Nigerian youths.

In an announcement shared via PTDF’s official handle on X (formerly Twitter), the agency revealed that the revamped scholarship programme is geared toward developing local expertise for the nation’s oil and gas sector.

“The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) is pleased to bring to the notice of the public that the applications for the 2025/2026 Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme (OSS) has commenced,” the statement reads.

Eligible candidates can apply for fully funded master’s or doctoral studies in several international locations, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia, as well as at the PTDF College of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Kaduna.

According to the agency,“Fully funded MSc scholarship will be provided in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia.”“Fully funded PhD scholarship will be provided in Germany, France & Malaysia.”

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For PhD candidates interested in studying in the UK, the award will now follow a split-site format, combining overseas learning with a local academic base.“Fully funded PhD scholarship for the United Kingdom will now be offered exclusively as a Split-Site Programme at the PTDF College of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK) in collaboration with three partner Universities in the United Kingdom: Robert Gordon University, University of Strathclyde and University of Portsmouth,” the statement further explained.

The scholarship package covers return air travel, health insurance, tuition and bench fees (where applicable), and a living allowance for the duration of the programme.

Applicants must be Nigerian graduates with strong academic credentials in disciplines relevant to the oil and gas industry.

Interested individuals are expected to complete their applications via the PTDF Scholarship Management Portal. The deadline for submission is June 4, 2025.

Additional information on eligibility, programme specifics, and partner institutions is available on the official PTDF website.

FG announces 2025/2026 overseas scholarship for graduates (See how to apply)

Education

FG says colleges of education will begin awarding degrees in September

Published

2 days ago

April 23, 2025

Trends Admin

FG says colleges of education will begin awarding degrees in September

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, says a dual mandate allowing colleges of education (COEs) to award both bachelor’s degrees and the National Certificate in Education (NCE) is for implementation this September.

In 2023, the mandate was signed into law, having undergone ideation with numerous committees recommending its adoption.

It was to take effect from the 2024/2025 academic session (starting September 2024), where only federal COEs aged at least 10 years were to pilot the programme.

Alausa spoke in Abuja during a follow-up meeting on resolutions from the last biannual stakeholders meeting.

He said the implementation of the dual mandate will now begin in September 2025.

The education minister said it would boost enrolment in COEs and eliminate the need to convert COEs to universities.

Alausa said reforms within COEs are important for adapting to modern demands and technological advancements.

He urged educators to integrate technology, critical thinking, and computational skills into their curricula.

“We once had a strong educational system, and that’s what we are working hard to restore. All hands are on deck to achieve this,” he said.

“We must tackle the high number of out-of-school children and reduce learning poverty across the country. As teachers, you are at the centre of driving this change, and you must also challenge yourselves.

“The way we taught 30 or 50 years ago is no longer relevant. Education and teaching methods are evolving. You must start thinking about how to use technology in the classroom.”

Alausa stressed the need for educators to harness educational technology and artificial intelligence to improve teaching and learning outcomes.

Addressing declining enrolment in colleges of education, he urged administrators and staff to support the ongoing reforms, warning that the survival of their institutions depends on their ability to adapt.

“With this dual mandate, there is no need for conversion to university status. You should be the ones pushing for implementation, not the other way around. It’s a matter of your survival,” he said.

“The government has secured the future of colleges of education. It is now up to you to sustain them. Failure to embrace this mandate could lead to extinction.

“With this reform, there’s no justification for any college of education to seek university status.”

Education

Kano governor gives secondary students 10,000 free JAMB forms

Published

4 days ago

April 21, 2025

Trends Admin

Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf

Kano governor gives secondary students 10,000 free JAMB forms

The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has inaugurated the distribution of 10,000 free JAMB forms to Kano secondary school students.

During the flag-off of the distribution, the Governor, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner of Education, Ali Haruna Makoda, also used the opportunity to inaugurate the training of the 10,000 beneficiaries on the use of computer-based tests at various designated centers across Kano State.

On his part, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Education, Alhaji Tajuddin Gambo, said the Governor has promised to provide transport for the beneficiaries throughout the training session and urged them to ensure they pass the examination.

He said the government is willing to select the best schools for the beneficiaries if they pass the examinations.

One of the beneficiaries of the 10,000 free JAMB forms, Fatima Mukhtar Umar, expressed gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for issuing the free JAMB forms and promised not to disappoint.

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In a statement by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s Special Adviser on Information, Ibrahim Adam, it was noted that the Governor used the opportunity to elaborate on the feats achieved by his government in developing the education sector in the last 22 months. These include the re-introduction of foreign and domestic scholarships, re-opening of 21 skills acquisition institutes, general renovation of primary and secondary schools, construction of new classrooms, provision of classroom furniture and writing materials, and the distribution of free uniforms to primary school pupils.

Other achievements, according to the Governor’s Special Adviser on Information, Ibrahim Adam, include the reduction of 50% of registration fees in state-owned tertiary institutions, cash conditional transfers to support girl-child education, and the settlement of registration fees for NECO, NABTEB, and NBAIS, to mention but a few.

Ibrahim Adam said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf urged all the beneficiary students to make the best use of the opportunity and strive for excellence in their academic pursuits, saying that the future belongs to those who work tirelessly to turn dreams into realities.