Education

ASUU, polytechnic lecturers, others to get N34b minimum wage arrears — FG

Published

3 years ago

May 25, 2022

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige

The Federal Government says it will spend about N34 billion as arrears of Minimum Wage Consequential Adjustments in the education sector effective from 2019.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said that this was aimed at resolving the lingering crisis in the sector.

Ngige made this known while speaking with newsmen on the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities and others on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ngige said that the beneficiaries of the Minimum Wage Consequential Adjustments included the members of the striking ASUU and their counterparts in the polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

According to Ngige, the universities will get N23.5 billion, polytechnics N6 billion and Colleges of Education N4 billion, bringing the total sum to N33.5 billion.

The Minister, while giving update on the ongoing striking, said committees were set up during the last tripartite meeting of the government and university based unions.

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He said they were given a fortnight to turn in their report, adding they were still working and the reports of the committees were being expected at the end of the week.

He said: “Those committees are working.

“The one on NITDA is testing the three platforms, the government’s Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System.

“Also, the University Transparency Accountability Solution of ASUU and the Universities Peculiar Personnel Payroll System of the non-teaching staff.

“They have started the testing last Thursday.

“The National Salaries, Wages and Incomes Commission has issued their amendment circulars.

“The unions also have copies to take care of responsibility and hazard allowances wherever it has not been properly captured.”

Ngige assured that there might likely be wage adjustments as the government intensified efforts to streamlining wages through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

He said: “For example, we have done for police.

“It wasn’t envisaged that we should do it in pockets.

“But you can see that police has been done.

“You can also see university teachers saying that their own should be done immediately, since we have done police.

“So, something is being done.

“It was part of the 2009 negotiation they had with the government then.

“So, the committee of Prof. Briggs is on it, discussing with the university unions and their employer, the Federal Ministry of Education.

“They will bring up something for government to see.

“There are other people.

“The doctors are complaining about brain-drain, this and that.

“Their hazard allowance has to be touched and it was touched by close to 300 per cent.

“From N5,000 paid across board for each person, the least person in the health sector is getting N15,000, while the big ones are getting N45,000.

“So, that is the quantum leap.”

The Minister therefore, appealed to ASUU and other university-based unions once more to suspend their strike so that academic activities could resume once again in public universities across the country.

Related Topics:ASUU Featured FG lecturers Minimum wage Polytechnic

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Education

JAMB delists four centres, arrests 27 impersonators in ongoing UTME

Published

11 hours ago

April 26, 2025

Trends Admin

JAMB delists four centres, arrests 27 impersonators in ongoing UTME

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has delisted four Computer-Based Testing (CBT) Centres and arrested 27 impersonators during the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

This is contained in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja yesterday by the Board’s Spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin.

He explained that the CBT centres were delisted for failing to meet the stringent technical standards required for the ongoing UTME.

Benjamin said the delisted centres include Adventure Associate, located behind Sheshe Supermarket off Hadejia Road, Kano, Kano State, and Saadatu Rimi College of Education, Zaria Road, Naibawa, Kano, Kano State.

Also delisted are Penta M & F Technical Services Ltd., Centre 2, 96km Sokoto-Jega Road, Tambuwal, and Penta M & F Technical Services Ltd., Centre 1, 96km Sokoto-Jega Road, Tambuwal.

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“While JAMB commends the 883 centres that have demonstrated exceptional performance, it unequivocally warns that any centre failing to meet ethical or technical standards, regardless of ownership, will be blacklisted,” he stated.

Benjamin urged candidates who were previously scheduled to take their exams at the delisted centres to urgently reprint their examination notification slips to access their new centres and rescheduled dates.

“We regret any inconvenience this may cause, but we will not tolerate excuses from candidates who fail to reprint their slips.

“As of Friday, April 25, 2025, more than 900,000 candidates had successfully completed the UTME, out of the 2,083,600 registered for the 2025 examination,” he added.

In a related development, Benjamin reported the arrest of 27 impersonators who were handed over to the Nigeria Police for immediate prosecution.

JAMB delists four centres, arrests 27 impersonators in ongoing UTME

Education

NELFUND gets 500,000 applications for student loans in 11 months

Published

13 hours ago

April 26, 2025

Trends Admin

NELFUND gets 500,000 applications for student loans in 11 months

Over 500, 000 students applied for loans in 11 months, the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has said.

The agency said that the figure indicates the critical need for accessible student financing in Nigeria.

The Director of Strategic Communications of the Agency, Mrs Oseyemi Oluwatuyi in a statement yesterday stated that the number of applicants highlights the widespread trust in NELFUND to democratise access to tertiary education.

The statement reads: “The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has reached a remarkable milestone in its first year of operation: over 500,000 Nigerian students have now applied for student loans through the NELFUND portal.

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“This milestone, achieved within just 11 months of operations, underscores the critical need for accessible student financing in Nigeria and highlights the widespread trust in NELFUND’s mission to democratize access to tertiary education.”

Education

JAMB officials seize candidates’ hijab at Caleb varsity, Muslim students kick

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2025

Trends Admin

JAMB officials seize candidates’ hijab at Caleb varsity, Muslim students kick

Muslim students have vowed to take legal action against any harassment, threats, or unjust treatment directed at female candidates wearing hijabs at centres for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

This comes in the wake of reports of hijab harassment and hijab seizures that have sparked widespread concern among Muslim students and religious organizations, following incidents that took place on Thursday.

Under the umbrella of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit (MSSNLagos), the students issued a statement on Friday, signed by their Amir (President), Kamoldeen Abiona, expressing deep dissatisfaction with reports of harassment at several UTME centres across Lagos, particularly Caleb University in Ikorodu, a Christian-owned institution, where hijabs were forcibly removed from candidates.

Abiona criticized the ongoing incidents, emphasizing that despite established guidelines allowing the wearing of hijabs, female Muslim candidates continue to face harassment and coercion at examination centres.

“It is distressing to report that incidents of discrimination against female candidates wearing hijabs during the UTME persist,” said Abiona.

“Despite clear guidelines that allow hijabs, some female candidates are still subjected to undue harassment. These ongoing actions are a blatant violation of their rights and religious freedoms.”

He highlighted a particularly troubling incident that occurred on Thursday, April 24, at Caleb University in Ikorodu, where female Muslim candidates were forced to remove their hijabs to continue with their exams.

“This flagrant violation not only disrespects their religious beliefs but also goes against legal protections for religious freedom and equality.”

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Abiona called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to take immediate action against the erring UTME centres, urging the board to demonstrate that it does not support the harassment of hijab-wearing candidates.

He demanded justice for the affected candidates, insisting they be given the chance to retake their exams without religious interference. “JAMB must act swiftly,” Abiona stated.

“We call for a thorough investigation into these allegations and for appropriate sanctions to be imposed on any institution found guilty. The safety and dignity of all candidates must be safeguarded at all examination centres in Nigeria.”

“Moreover, we demand justice for the affected candidates, ensuring they have the opportunity to retake their exams without any obstacles, ensuring fairness and equity in the educational system,” he added.

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, reiterated its unwavering commitment to opposing discrimination and upholding the rights and dignity of students. The group called for an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence and respect for diversity within educational environments.

The students also issued a stern warning that any institution found in violation would face legal action.

“We will not hesitate to pursue legal proceedings against JAMB or any centre found harassing female Muslim candidates for wearing the hijab. This must end immediately, as wearing the hijab is both a legal right and a religious obligation.”