“I will be firm, fair, and transparent in the discharge of my duties. UNN must not lag behind in the current technological revolution, characterised by the rivalry between OpenAI and DeepSeek,” he assured.
Education
Schools: MSS advises govt on COVID-19 protocols compliance
Following the directive on school resumption, the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit, has advised governments to be cautious of the risk of coronavirus resurgence in the country.
The Amir of MSSN Lagos State Area Unit, Miftahudeen Thanni, gave the advice in a press statement on Monday, 18 January.
He specifically urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure that coronavirus guidelines were implemented in schools.
Recall that despite Lagos being the epicentre of the pandemic, with the highest number of COVID-19 cases Nigeria, Lagos State Government had approved that all public and private schools in the state below tertiary level should resume on Monday, 18 January, 2021, for the second term 2020/2021 academic session.
However, Thanni also implored the state government to embrace digital schooling in order to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.
He urged parents and guardians to monitor the activities of their wards closely during this period.
He also asked teachers and other principal officers to ensure measures against COVID-19 were put in place by school authorities and government.
Meanwhile, the MSSNLagos has joined other Muslim communities to commiserate with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakr Sa’d, over the demise of his younger brother, Abdulkadir Jeli Abubakar III.
Until his death, Abdulkadir was a serving Commissioner for Home Affairs in Sokoto State.
The leadership of the student body admonished the bereaved to remain steadfast and encourage other members of the family to imbibe the teachings of Islam in this unusual moment in life.
“It is our prayer that Allah showers His all-encompassing blessing on the departed soul,” Thanni said.
He also warned against religious incitement in any form, whatsoever as witnessed in some quarters, saying, “This must henceforth stop because it will do us no good other than to disunite us as a nation.”
The student leader implored the people of Sango Kataf and Southern Kaduna “to sue for peace to forestall the recurrence of social unrest in that environment”.
He urged the government to “beef up its security in the area and try to put an end to the varieties of crime on the increase in our society.”
Education
UNN appoints Prof Olayiwola Usman as first Yoruba DVC (Academics)
UNN appoints Prof Olayiwola Usman as first Yoruba DVC (Academics)
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has appointed Professor Kamoru Olayiwola Usman, a Yoruba Muslim from Oyo State, as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), marking the first time in the institution’s history that a person of Yoruba descent has held the position.
The appointment, made by the Acting Vice-Chancellor (Ag. VC), Professor Oguejiofo T. Ujam, is part of ongoing reforms aimed at fostering inclusive governance and restoring the university’s academic excellence.
In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the university reaffirmed its commitment to merit-based leadership and national unity.
Professor Ujam stated: “The appointment of Professor Usman reflects our resolve to prioritise competence over sectional considerations. It is imperative that we sustain this culture of inclusivity and meritocracy to move the university forward.”
In addition to Professor Usman’s appointment, the Acting VC also named Dr Mansur Adebowale Saddiq as Acting Director of the Medical Centre, further demonstrating his commitment to promoting excellence over sectional interests.
Both appointments have been widely welcomed by scholars and students from diverse backgrounds, recognising them as steps towards strengthening national unity within the institution.
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Professor Usman, who succeeds Professor Urama, holds a PhD in Mathematics Education and previously served as Provost of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo State, from 2015 to 2023.
A distinguished academic, he is a fellow of the Mathematical Association of Nigeria and a member of several professional bodies, including the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies and the Nigerian Educational Research Association. His initial tenure as DVC (Academics) will last for two years, with the possibility of renewal.
Meanwhile, the statement also highlighted that during a recent University Senate meeting, Professor Ujam emphasised the collective responsibility of repositioning UNN as a centre for ethical and innovative learning.
“A collective effort is required to place the institution on a steady path towards ethical and innovative learning. UNN must regain its pride of place as Nigeria’s premier university. We must rid the system of narrow-minded sectionalism and divisive tendencies that have eroded the enabling environment for research, comparative studies, and the adaptive application of new knowledge,” the statement read.
Education
FG to pay corps members backlog of delayed N77,000 allowance
FG to pay corps members backlog of delayed N77,000 allowance
The Federal Government has promised to pay the backlog of the new ₦77,000 monthly allowance to members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The corps members’ allowance was increased from ₦33,000 to ₦77, 000 in September 2024.
However, the new rate has yet to be implemented.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, on Monday said serving corps members and those in the scheme when the increment was announced in September 2024 would receive a backdated payment.
He gave the assurance when he was featured on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He said, “You saw the new DG saying that you will get it, and they’re asking him a question ‘What about those that are going out now, are they going to receive it [backlog]?’ He said ‘We have your details’,” the minister said.
“The backlog, we will work on it and make sure it is paid. It may not be immediate but it will happen.”
Education
Why postgraduate students are ineligible for FG loan – NELFUND
Why postgraduate students are ineligible for FG loan – NELFUND
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has clarified the eligibility criteria for the scheme, explaining why students pursuing post-graduate programmes are not qualified to apply for the facility.
Managing Director of the Fund, Akintunde Sawyerr, gave the revelation while speaking on TVC’s Breakfast Saturday.
Sawyerr also addressed concerns regarding postgraduate students’ eligibility for the loan, explaining that the facility is currently only available to students pursuing their first degree.
“The way the President has set this up and the way he has insisted that this must work is that you don’t need to know anybody to access this loan. And that’s what we are doing. No connections, no long leg, no man-know-man. We are not going to allow it to happen. The President wants us to completely democratize education.”
Although repayments have not yet been received, the Managing Director assured that the Fund is developing a robust repayment structure to facilitate timely and effective loan repayments.
He said currently, postgraduate students are not eligible to apply for the loan, as the primary focus is on supporting students pursuing their first degree.
Future plans for postgraduate students
Sawyerr, however, offered a glimmer of hope for postgraduate students, indicating that they may be eligible for the loan facility in the future.
“Post-graduate students can’t apply for this loan. We have a lot of people in this country who are just trying to get on the first rung of the ladder as far as tertiary education is concerned. The funds we have are focused on those people who are looking for their first opportunity.
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“I congratulate those who have graduated who are doing their Master’s or PhDs, it’s fantastic. At some point in the future, we will be able to fund them. Today, we are looking for those who need us most. They are the people we want to support.”
He emphasized that while plans exist to extend financial support to postgraduate students, the immediate priority remains assisting undergraduates who face financial difficulties.
The Fund is committed to ensuring that students do not drop out of tertiary institutions due to lack of funds, and future adjustments to the loan scheme will be considered based on available resources and policy direction.
Over 271,000 students enrolled
According to the Managing Director, revealed that more than 271,000 Nigerian students pursuing tertiary education have received a financial lifeline through the Federal Government’s Student Loan program since its launch in May 2024.
“Nigerian students are reacting extremely positively to the initiative. And as more disbursements happen, they are becoming more trusting. One of the interesting things going on at the moment is that President Bola Tinubu is restoring trust in the government. The students are receiving it well. We are transparent about what we are doing.
“In total, to date, we have about 271,000 Nigerian students who have either had their fees paid or their fees plus upkeep,” he noted.
As of Saturday, March 22, out of 521,000 students who have registered for the loan facility, approximately 438,000 have submitted their applications.
Why postgraduate students are ineligible for FG loan – NELFUND
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