Education

FG, ASUU face-off: Minister walks out on NANS, as students protest

Published

5 years ago

March 1, 2022

Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, yesterday in Abuja, walked out on students protesting the continued face-off between the government and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, who have paralysed academic activities in the nation’s universities.

The students, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, had taken their protest to the minister’s office, clutching placards demanding a quick resolution of the crisis.

After a few questions by the students, who were led by the NANS President, Comrade Sunday Asefon, the minister angrily left for his office.

Commenting on the development, Asefon said: ”We only asked the minister one or two questions about what the government is doing to resolve the impasse, when he angrily left us and went inside. ”We are surprised at the development because as students, we are the ones bearing the brunt of the strike. We are going to hold a meeting to deliberate on the next step to take and we will get back to you,” he said on phone.

In Oyo State, the B Zone of NANS, yesterday threatened to block all federal roads in the state, if the crisis was not resolved.

The students at a peaceful demonstration held at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, carried placards with different inscriptions such as: “FG and ASUU: Stop the madness”; “Incessant ASUU/FG face-off, a demonstration of craze”; “At the end of every strike, only students lose”; among others.

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The Southwest Coordinator of NANS, Comrade Tegbe Steven Fiyinfoluwa, who addressed newsmen after the protest, vowed that the association would block all federal roads, starting from today, if the government and ASUU failed to reach an agreement, yesterday.

He said: “We are holding our peaceful demonstration here today (yesterday) Monday, because of the lingering crisis between ASUU and federal government which has been a recurring event over the years. Unfortunately, we students are at the receiving end.

“We are calling on the federal government to learn how to respect agreements. We have seen on many occasions when the federal government and ASUU reached an agreement but the federal government failed to fulfil its part of the agreement. We are also calling on ASUU to have a decisive way of spending their resources, even when their demands are met.”

Protest in Kano

In Kano, the students, who stormed the Ministry of Higher Education situated in Gidan Murtala, also carried placards and chanted solidarity songs.

The students, led by Yazid Tanko Mohammed, said they were always at the receiving end of the face-off.

Mohammed said: “ASUU has been going on strike since 2009, and students are always the victims of the strike. We are not benefiting from the strike. Instead, we are always at the receiving end. Imagine, a programme that is supposed to last for four years will take up to six years. And the one meant for five years will take up to seven to eight years,” Mohammed lamented.

Responding, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Mariya Bunkure, who was represented by the Director, Academics Planning, Musa Gambo, assured the students that the Ministry would convey their message to Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for onward submission to President Muhammadu Buhari.

He appreciated the manner the students conducted themselves peacefully during the protest.

Protest in Osun

Some students in Osun State, under the aegis of National Association of Nigerian Students and Joint Campus Committee, NANS/JCC, Osun axis, yesterday stormed the streets in the state capital, Osogbo, protesting the FG\ASUU debacle.

Addressing journalists at Oke-Fia, the Chairman, NANS/JCC, Osun Axis, Comrade Oyelayo Afeez, said the protest was to make ASUU and FG realise that their action was at the detriment of students, who paid to access education.

“We are demanding an end to the incessant dispute between ASUU and the FG, it affects students. We are paying to access education in Nigeria, yet, government and the union seem not bothered about our situation,” he said.

Meeting of the two parties

Meanwhile, another round of meeting by the two sides is slated for today in Abuja.

The government’s team is expected to include the Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, and his Labour Ministry counterpart, Dr Chris Ngige, while the National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, will lead the union’s team.

Their previous meeting did not achieve much, as the union accused the government’s delegation of not preparing for anything and acting as if they were not familiar with the issues in contention.

ASUU had been on strike since February 14 because of the failure of the FG to renegotiate the 2009 agreement, the replacement of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System, IPPIS, with the University Transparency and Accountability Solution, UTAS, as the payment platform in the university sector, among others.

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Education

FG opens six-month teacher certification for BSc, HND, ND holders – How to Apply

Published

7 hours ago

September 8, 2026

Trends Admin

FG opens six-month teacher certification for BSc, HND, ND holders – How to Apply

The Federal Government has opened applications for a six-month professionalisation programme designed to help Nigerians who are currently teaching without formal professional teaching qualifications obtain recognised education credentials and become eligible for Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) registration.

The programme, known as the Accelerated Teacher Professionalisation Pathway (ATPP), is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) and the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

The initiative is targeted at non-professional teachers who already possess academic qualifications but lack formal pedagogical training and professional certification.

Applications for Cohort 1 of the 2026–2027 ATPP programme are currently open and are scheduled to close on September 18, 2026.

The programme offers two major qualification pathways: the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) for eligible holders of non-education bachelor’s degrees or HNDs, and the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) for eligible holders of ND or OND qualifications.

Who can apply for the ATPP?

The programme is designed primarily for serving teachers who are already working but do not have professional teaching qualifications.

Eligible applicants may be teaching in public and non-state schools, as well as in early childhood care, development and education, primary and secondary schools, technical and vocational education and training, non-formal education and alternative learning settings.

Community instructors and volunteer educators are also among those covered by the programme.

However, applicants seeking admission through the qualification pathways are required to have at least 24 months of classroom teaching experience.

This requirement means the programme is primarily intended to professionalise people who are already actively engaged in teaching rather than graduates seeking to enter the teaching profession for the first time.

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BSc and HND holders

Nigerians who hold a non-education bachelor’s degree or HND and are currently teaching can apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) pathway.

The PGDE runs for six months, comprising four months of hybrid coursework and two months of supervised teaching practice.

The programme carries 40 credit units and is designed to provide participants with the pedagogical knowledge and practical skills required for professional teaching.

Applicants are required to provide a valid National Identification Number (NIN), their bachelor’s degree or HND certificate and evidence that they are currently teaching.

Acceptable evidence of teaching may include an employment or appointment letter, an attestation from a headteacher, principal or relevant school authority, or appropriate pay records.

ND and OND holders

Holders of a National Diploma (ND) or Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in a non-education field who are currently teaching can apply through the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) pathway.

The PDE also runs for six months, consisting of four months of coursework and two months of supervised teaching practice.

The programme carries 37 credit units and is designed to equip participants with professional teaching knowledge, classroom skills and the competencies required to meet established teaching standards.

Applicants must provide a valid NIN, their ND or OND certificate and evidence of teaching experience.

What will ATPP participants study?

The ATPP says its PGDE and PDE programmes are aligned with the TRCN Professional Standards for Teachers.

The curriculum covers areas including professional knowledge, professional practice, professional values and ethics, professional engagement and continuing professional development.

Participants will also study foundations of education, educational psychology, curriculum and pedagogy, inclusive education and safeguarding, assessment and quality assurance, digital and blended learning, and subject methodology and specialisation.

The programme combines academic learning with supervised teaching practice to give participants both theoretical knowledge and practical classroom experience.

How to apply for FG’s six-month teacher certification programme

Eligible applicants can apply through the official ATPP application portal.

Applicants are required to create an account, provide their personal information, email address and telephone number, select the appropriate qualification pathway and submit the required documents.

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Applicants applying on behalf of another person are advised to use the applicant’s own email address because the email may be required for password recovery and other application-related communication.

Prospective applicants should carefully check the eligibility requirements and ensure that the information and documents submitted are accurate before completing the application.

The deadline for ATPP Cohort 1 applications is September 18, 2026.

What happens after the six-month programme?

Completing the ATPP does not automatically mean that a participant immediately becomes a fully registered or licensed teacher.

Candidates are required to complete the prescribed credit units, successfully undertake their supervised teaching practice, demonstrate professional conduct and satisfy the assessment requirements of their institution.

They must also sit for and pass the TRCN Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE).

Candidates who successfully meet the relevant requirements and pass the qualifying examination can then become eligible for TRCN registration in the appropriate category.

Where will the programme be offered?

The ATPP is being delivered through accredited institutions and study centres across Nigeria.

Institutions listed under the programme include the National Teachers’ Institute, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, University of Lagos, University of Port Harcourt, University of Ilorin, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Maiduguri, National Open University of Nigeria, MIVA Open University, Meadow Hall College of Education and Babcock University.

The use of multiple institutions and study centres is intended to make the programme accessible to serving teachers in different parts of the country.

How much does the ATPP cost?

The programme website lists the ATPP fee at ₦200,000 per teacher.

Applicants are advised to follow only the official application and payment procedures provided through the ATPP platform and to avoid making payments to individuals or unofficial platforms claiming to represent the programme.

The Accelerated Teacher Professionalisation Pathway is part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to strengthen teacher professionalisation and improve standards in Nigeria’s education sector.

For eligible BSc, HND, ND and OND holders who are already teaching, the six-month programme provides a structured route to obtain professional education qualifications and progress towards TRCN registration.

With the September 18, 2026 deadline approaching, eligible applicants are encouraged to complete the application process early and ensure that all required information and documents are properly submitted.

FG opens six-month teacher certification for BSc, HND, ND holders – How to Apply

Education

FG Opens N2.5bn Grant Window For 50 Student Innovators Under “Next Moonshot Initiative”

Published

3 days ago

September 6, 2026

Trends Admin

FG Opens N2.5bn Grant Window For 50 Student Innovators Under “Next Moonshot Initiative”

The Federal Government has opened applications for the second cohort of its Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), with 50 outstanding student-led ventures set to receive up to N50 million each in equity-free funding.

The initiative, also known as the “Next Moonshot Initiative,” is being implemented under the Federal Ministry of Education as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The programme is designed to help student entrepreneurs with Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM)-based business ideas develop and scale their ventures without surrendering equity or ownership.

The National Coordinator of the Special Programme Operations and Implementation Unit at the Federal Ministry of Education, Adebayo Onigbanjo, announced the opening of the application portal at a news conference in Abuja on Friday. He stated that applications will be received from September 6 to September 30, 2026.

A nationwide campus mobilisation campaign will run concurrently from September 6 to September 30, 2026, to take information on eligibility and the application process directly to students across the country. The S-VCG team will visit nine tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones. The institutions include the University of Abuja, Nile University, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi, Bayero University Kano, Kano University of Science and Technology in Wudil, Federal Polytechnic Kaduna, Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, the University of Lagos and Covenant University in Ota. A Campus Ambassador Programme will also be activated in 20 additional institutions to extend awareness to more students.

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Onigbanjo encouraged Vice-Chancellors, Rectors, Provosts, lecturers and student leaders to identify promising innovators within their institutions and encourage them to apply. He stressed that tertiary institutions should move beyond their traditional academic functions and become incubators for innovation, enterprise and problem-solving. “Nigeria does not lack innovative young people. What many lack is the opportunity and capital to take these ideas further,” he said. “Our universities, polytechnics and colleges of education must increasingly become places where ideas are developed, solutions created and businesses born.”

To qualify, applicants must be currently enrolled in a Nigerian university, polytechnic or college of education and must be at least 300 level or its equivalent. Students below 300 level may participate as members of teams led by qualifying students. Applicants must also have a Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)-registered business name or company, while their projects must have progressed beyond proof of concept and demonstrate real-world potential. The programme is open to students developing solutions in health, agriculture, education, technology, energy, logistics, e-commerce and other STEMM-related fields.

For the second cohort, the selection process has been strengthened. Applications will undergo Artificial Intelligence-assisted screening and assessment by 10 human evaluators. Shortlisted applicants will make virtual presentations before an Evaluation Committee, while finalists will proceed to a three-day bootcamp and in-person pitch session. A major addition to the second cohort is a six-month mentorship programme for successful beneficiaries, aimed at helping student entrepreneurs navigate the practical challenges of building and scaling businesses. Through the initiative, student entrepreneurs will be connected with experienced organisations and business leaders across technology, logistics, e-commerce, health, education and other sectors. Supporting organisations include Lafarge, Chowdeck, Powerhouse, HostAfrica, Klasha, LifeBank, Future Africa, GetEquity and OneHealth, among others.

The second cohort builds on the strong response recorded during the inaugural S-VCG cycle, which attracted 17,914 registrations from 404 institutions across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory within three weeks of opening in November 2025. Of the institutions represented, 348 were public institutions and 56 were private institutions, while male participants accounted for 52 per cent and female participants 48 per cent. A total of 3,014 completed applications underwent AI-assisted screening and review by 10 human evaluators, while 65 finalists advanced to a three-day S-VCG Bootcamp held from March 27 to 29, 2026, where they presented their ventures to a panel comprising venture capitalists, industry experts and academic leaders. The first cohort selected 45 beneficiaries who received up to N50 million each in equity-free funding.

The S-VCG is implemented in partnership with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Bank of Industry (BOI) and Afara Initiative. Onigbanjo added that the ministry, led by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, will continue to strengthen partnerships with tertiary institutions, development partners and the private sector to expand opportunities for student innovators and support them to take ideas from the classroom to the marketplace.

FG Opens N2.5bn Grant Window For 50 Student Innovators Under “Next Moonshot Initiative”

Education

JAMB Releases Underage UTME Results, Sets Strict Conditions for Admission

Published

3 days ago

September 5, 2026

Trends Admin

JAMB Releases Underage UTME Results, Sets Strict Conditions for Admission

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results for candidates under the age of 16. However, the board has made it clear that these results are for viewing purposes only and do not guarantee admission into any tertiary institution.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, explained that while the results are now accessible, only a select group of exceptionally performing underage candidates who meet strict requirements will be considered for admission.

For the 2026 admission cycle, JAMB defines an underage candidate as any applicant who will be less than 16 years old by September 30, 2026. This age benchmark is non-negotiable and serves as the foundation for all admission eligibility decisions regarding younger candidates.

According to the board, the primary reason for releasing the results is to allow candidates, parents, and guardians to view their performance. This transparency is intended to help families assess academic progress and make informed decisions about next steps. However, JAMB stressed that the release does not confer automatic eligibility for admission. The results cannot be used for admission or any other official purpose unless the candidate meets the prescribed conditions for exceptional consideration.

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Candidates can check their results by sending the word “RESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019. This must be done using the same phone number and SIM card that were used during the UTME registration process. No other method has been authorized for result viewing.

JAMB has outlined a rigorous, multi-stage process for underage candidates who wish to be considered for admission. The requirements are intentionally strict to ensure that only genuinely exceptional candidates are admitted. To qualify, an underage candidate must meet all of the following: a minimum UTME score of 320 out of 400; at least 80% performance in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects, where applicable; compliance with the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institution, even if the general Post-UTME exercise has been suspended; and successful completion of a final assessment by experts, designed to evaluate academic maturity and readiness for tertiary education. Dr. Benjamin explained that these measures are in place to distinguish truly gifted candidates from those who may have simply performed well in the UTME but lack the overall academic maturity for university-level studies.

Not yet. JAMB has confirmed that the admission process for exceptionally performing underage candidates is still ongoing. The board is currently awaiting the release of this year’s National Examinations Council (NECO) results to allow candidates awaiting these results to present them for verification. A date for the final stage of assessment will be announced as soon as the NECO results are released. JAMB emphasized that no candidate will be admitted until all stages of assessment and verification are concluded.

JAMB has issued a strong advisory to parents, guardians, and candidates: do not present underage UTME results to any institution for admission unless you meet the exceptional criteria; and beware of fraudsters who claim they can secure admission for underage candidates outside the official process. The board reiterated that participation in the UTME does not guarantee admission, especially for candidates who have not attained the prescribed age. The board also noted that in the 2025 admission cycle, only 85 out of over 41,000 underage applicants qualified for exceptional admission, underscoring how competitive and selective the process truly is.

JAMB has assured the public that the exceptional admission process will remain transparent, rigorous, and merit-based. The board is committed to protecting the integrity of the admission system and ensuring that only candidates who genuinely satisfy all established requirements are admitted.