Education

ASUU to Tinubu: Vibrant Nigerians running away from lecturing

Published

1 year ago

January 2, 2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

ASUU to Tinubu: Vibrant Nigerians running away from lecturing

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised the alarm that poor welfare conditions of public universities’ lecturers is discouraging qualified hands from taking up jobs in the university system.

Chairman, University of Ibadan chapter of the union, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, in a new year message noted that the situation also affects primary and secondary schools where teachers are not well-paid, leading to the reluctance of qualified teachers to take up employment in public primary and secondary schools, paving way for untrained and unqualified teachers hold sway. The result is the proliferation of private schools, most of which are out of the reach of the poor due to the exorbitant fees they charge.

According to Professor Akinwole, the university system witnessed stagnation in 2024 stating that but for the sacrifices of the lecturers, the university system would have been thrown into another industrial crisis because of the lacklustre attitude of the Federal Government to the plights of lecturers.

He noted that Nigeria’s education is likely to remain the same because it has been allocated about 7 percent (N3.52 trillion) in the 2025 budget (47.90 trillion) “which falls far below the benchmark of 15-20 percent educational budget for underdeveloped countries like Nigeria, specified by both UNESCO and United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), which has been advocated by our Union.”

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While commending the Federal Government for setting up a committee to renegotiate the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, Akinwole warned against delayed tactics as characterised in previous administrations.

“To be sure, since 2017, various committees have been put in place by the government to renegotiate the agreement with ASUU. For instance, the Babalakin-led Joint Renegotiation Committee was set up, followed by Emeritus Professor Munzali Jubril-led Committee, and followed by the late Prof. Nimi Briggs-led Committee, which yielded a draft agreement between the committee and ASUU in 2021. Unfortunately, the Buhari administration refused to sign the Agreement reached by a Committee set up by it. It is, therefore, our opinion that instead of a fresh renegotiation of the Agreement, the Tinubu-led administration should rather set in motion a process that will lead to the review and signing of the Nimi Briggs-led renegotiated draft agreement as a mark of goodwill and assured hope for Nigeria’s public universities.”

The ASUU boss also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to eliminate TETFund under the tax administration bill stating that this would kill the little infrastructural funding which TETFund has been executing.

“This misbegotten policy will have huge and adverse implications for the university system in Nigeria. This is, no doubt, an attempt to destroy the major source of infrastructural funding for already struggling public tertiary institutions.. It is also an attempt to commodify university education in Nigeria.

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“A part of the tax administration bill proposes eliminating the education tax, to be replaced by a development levy. This would effectively disrupt the revenue stream of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), an agency set up as a product of the ingenuity and struggles of ASUU that has been the major source of funding for infrastructure development in many public tertiary institutions over the last decade. Since its establishment in 2011, TETFund has monitored the disbursement of education tax to public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. However, with this new bill, only 50 percent of the monies accruing to the levy would go to TETFund in 2025 and 2026. TETFund’s share will be upped to 66 percent in 2027, 2028, and 2029. Then, the agency would cease to get any revenue from 2030. From 2030, the development levy will be solely meant to fund the federal government’s student loan scheme. What this means is that the agency that funds infrastructural development in the Nigerian tertiary institutions is under the threat of extinction by 2030.

“It is a public hazard to conscript academics into an endless struggle for survival. There is a low level of motivation and an increasing rate of flight from the present condition at the slightest opportunity.”

Setting agenda for 2025 Professor Akinwole asked President Tinubu to pay attention to the “welfare of workers in the education sector and Nigerian workers is paramount, considering the state of the national economy and high cost of living, which has deepened the erosion of the conditions of service of our members”

The ASUU boss stated that it is expected that “the withheld three-and-a-half-month salaries and third party deductions owed our members should be paid forthwith. We also expect that the Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) should be released, just as we expect that the funding for the revitalisation of the universities should be released in accordance with the FGN-ASUU MoU of 2012, 2013, and the MoA of 2017”

“In the absence of visible and concrete efforts at addressing the pending issues and meeting our expectations, there is likely to be a long-drawn confrontation between our Union and the Federal Government, which will probably lead to another round of untold avoidable crisis in the university system in Nigeria.”

ASUU to Tinubu: Vibrant Nigerians running away from lecturing

Related Topics:ASUU Featured lecturing Nigerians Tinubu

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Education

WAEC Releases 2026 WASSCE Timetable for School Candidates

Published

5 hours 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

Education

WAEC Releases 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE Results, See Details Checking Procedure

Published

4 days ago

March 27, 2026

Trends Admin

WAEC Releases 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE Results, See Details Checking Procedure

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the results of the 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for private candidates, marking another milestone in its transition to digital assessment.

The examination body announced on Friday that candidates who participated in the first series of the computer-based examination can now access their results, with full access expected to be activated within hours of the release.

In a statement accompanying the announcement, WAEC noted that the adoption of the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) format has significantly enhanced the speed and efficiency of result processing, eliminating many of the delays traditionally associated with manual marking systems.

Improved Performance Recorded

A preliminary analysis of the results indicates a modest improvement in candidates’ overall performance. According to data released by the council, about 32.72 per cent of candidates obtained a minimum of five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, a key benchmark for academic and career advancement in Nigeria.

WAEC attributed the improvement to increased candidate preparedness, improved examination administration, and the deployment of technology-driven assessment methods.

Malpractice Cases Under Review

Despite the gains recorded, the council disclosed that a number of results have been withheld due to allegations of examination malpractice. WAEC stated that investigations are ongoing and assured that appropriate actions would be taken upon conclusion of the review process.

The council reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity and credibility of its examinations, warning candidates and stakeholders against engaging in any form of malpractice.

Transition to Digital Examinations

The release of the 2026 CB-WASSCE results underscores WAEC’s broader strategy to modernize its examination system through the adoption of digital technology. The move is expected to improve transparency, reduce human error, and enhance the overall efficiency of the examination process across member countries.

How to Check WAEC Results

WAEC has provided a straightforward process for candidates to access their results online. Candidates are advised to follow the steps below:

Visit the official WAEC result-checking portal at www.waecdirect.org
Enter your Examination Number in the required field
Select the Examination Year (2026)
Choose the appropriate Examination Type (Private Candidate – First Series)
Enter the Card Serial Number found on your scratch card
Input the PIN on the scratch card
Click on “Submit” to view your result

Candidates who encounter delays are advised to remain patient, as access may be staggered due to high traffic on the portal.

WAEC further urged candidates to keep their result-checking details secure and avoid sharing sensitive information with unauthorized persons to prevent fraud.

The council reaffirmed its commitment to continuous innovation in examination delivery, assuring stakeholders that the transition to computer-based testing will further strengthen the credibility of its certificates across the globe.

WAEC Releases 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE Results, See Details Checking Procedure

Education

NYSC Debunks ‘Ransom Clause’ Rumour, Details Security Measures for Corps Members

Published

6 days ago

March 25, 2026

Trends Admin

NYSC Debunks ‘Ransom Clause’ Rumour, Details Security Measures for Corps Members

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has dismissed as false a viral report alleging that the scheme operates a “ransom clause” and exposes corps members to banditry, insisting that no such provision exists in its legal or operational framework.

The clarification comes amid rising concerns from families over the safety of corps members, especially those deployed to areas considered high-risk. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the NYSC, through its Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, described the claim as misleading and alarmist.

According to the scheme, the widely circulated write-up titled “Urgent: The NYSC Death Trap Our Graduates Are Being Sold to Bandits” is entirely unfounded. It stressed that there is no mention of any “ransom clause” in the NYSC Act, bye-laws, or official publications, urging the public to disregard the report.

The NYSC also addressed the case of Musa Usman Abba, which contributed to the controversy. The scheme clarified that Abba is not a serving corps member, noting that he completed his national service in 2023. While expressing sympathy with him and his family over the reported incident, the NYSC emphasized the importance of accurate information to avoid unnecessary panic.

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Reaffirming its commitment to corps members’ safety, the NYSC stated that it continues to work closely with security agencies across the country. It noted that corps members posted to vulnerable areas are provided with enhanced protection, including military escorts. This arrangement, according to the scheme, has been consistently implemented in the North West since 2024 and earlier in parts of the North East.

The scheme further highlighted that it has relocated orientation camps from volatile locations to safer areas in states such as Kebbi, Kaduna, Kwara, Borno, Gombe, and Plateau, as part of proactive measures to safeguard both corps members and camp officials.

On welfare, the NYSC explained that all corps members are covered by a life insurance policy through Capital Express Assurance Limited, which extends up to three weeks after service completion. In addition, corps members are enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to ensure access to healthcare throughout their service year.

The NYSC reiterated that it places the highest priority on the welfare, safety, and well-being of corps members and staff. It warned that the spread of misinformation, particularly on social media, could heighten anxiety and undermine public confidence in national institutions.

Established in 1973, the NYSC programme was designed to promote national unity and integration by deploying Nigerian graduates to serve in states outside their regions of origin. Despite ongoing security challenges in some parts of the country, the scheme said it has continued to strengthen its safety protocols through strategic deployments, camp relocations, and collaboration with security agencies.

The agency maintained that while concerns about security are valid, false narratives about NYSC and banditry only worsen public fear and misrepresent the efforts being made to protect corps members nationwide.