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Strike looms in universities as unions give 7-day ultimatum over unpaid salaries

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3 years ago

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Nigerian University

Strike looms in universities as unions give 7-day ultimatum over unpaid salaries

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a one-week ultimatum for the federal government to pay the unions’ members’ withheld salaries or risk an industrial action.

This is as the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) also has asked the government to pay its members the remaining part of their withheld salaries.

In a statement jointly signed by SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, the workers asked the government to pay the withheld salaries like their academic counterparts who were paid four months out of the arrears of several months.

JAC said it had written protest letters to the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the exclusion of the non-academic staff when the government decided to pay part of the withheld salaries but that the letters were not responded to two weeks after it was submitted.

“We, therefore, use this opportunity once again to call on the federal government to do the needful within the next seven days as the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU should not be held responsible should the wheel of administration and corporate governance be grounded to a halt in the university sector, as we have exercised enough patience,” part of the statement reads.

The statement added: “If nothing is done by the federal government to positively address this situation and respond to our previous letters to them, the members of the two unions may be forced to meet soon to take all lawful and stringent decisions on the matter.”

JAC said it had done everything possible within its power to prevail on its members to maintain industrial peace and tranquility.

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“While we appreciate the federal government for paying our academic counterpart, we also deem it necessary that our members are also paid,” the statement said, adding that the unions can no longer guarantee industrial harmony on the campuses should the government fail to pay them.

In 2022, two months after ASUU commenced a nationwide strike, both SSANU and NASU also embarked on nationwide industrial action that further crippled activities across the campuses.

The action was to protest the government’s failure to fulfill its promises to the workers and what they described as gross underfunding of the universities.

At the time, the former administration of President Muhammadu Buhari invoked a ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy and withheld the workers’ salaries.

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) also took part in the strike at the time.

SSANU queried the rationale behind the government’s insistence on the “no work, no pay policy,” saying that due process was followed before embarking on the strike that lasted for four months. Till the end of his tenure, Buhari never authorised the payment of the workers.

However, in October 2023, Tinubu announced that his government would pay four months of the withheld salaries to members of ASUU, immediately raising concerns as to the fate of the members of the other unions.

The National Vice President of SSANU, Abdussobur Salaam, said at the time that the directive appeared to be selective in favour of a single union out of others whose members’ salaries were withheld.

He said the president’s directive if not reviewed to include SSANU and other unions could be a recipe for disaster as he threatened another round of strikes if SSANU members’ withheld salaries were not paid alongside that of ASUU.

Meanwhile, CONUA has asked the federal government to pay its members the remaining part of their withheld salaries.

The academic union, a breakaway from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) asked the government to stop lumping up its members’ issues with those of ASUU members, saying its members had consistently denied being on strike while the ASUU strike lasted in 2022.

The latest position is contained in a statement issued by CONUA and signed by its National President, ‘Niyi Sunmonu, who commended President Tinubu for paying four months from the almost eight months’ withheld salaries of universities’ academic staff.

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The statement titled: ‘State of the Nation, Payment of Four Months out of Seven and a Half Months’ Withheld Salaries, Stagnation of Remuneration of Academics, and Call for Negotiations,” CONUA urged the President to speed up his efforts and interventions aimed at repositioning the country for good and to address the pains of the poor due to economic hardship.

The statement reads in part: “Our union, CONUA, has consistently maintained that it never declared and was not part of any strike action.

“Since CONUA neither called for nor joined any strike, withholding the three and a half months salaries of members of the union contravenes Section 43 (1b) of the Trade Disputes Act CAP. T8, which states that “where any employer locks out his workers, the workers shall be entitled to wages and any other applicable remunerations for the period of the lock-out and the period of the lock-out shall not prejudicially affect any rights of the workers being rights dependent on the continuity of the period of employment”. This provision is consistent with global best practices. In conclusion on this, CONUA demands that the process of paying these outstanding months be kick-started immediately to ensure lasting peace in our ivory towers.”

In 2022, the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari invoked a ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy and withheld the workers’ salaries during the eight-month strike.

The workers’ unions that had their members’ salaries withheld at the time include ASUU and CONUA.

Others are: NASU, SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

However, in October, Tinubu announced that his government would pay four of the withheld salaries to members of ASUU, immediately raising concerns as to the fate of the members of the other unions.

Last week, the federal government began paying the academics – ASUU and CONUA – leaving out the non-academic staff.

Strike looms in universities as unions give 7-day ultimatum over unpaid salaries

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

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September 8, 2026

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

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

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

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3 days ago

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September 6, 2026

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

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”

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JAMB Releases Underage UTME Results, Sets Strict Conditions for Admission

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3 days ago

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September 5, 2026

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JAMB Releases Underage UTME Results, Sets Strict Conditions for Admission

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.

JAMB Releases Underage UTME Results, Sets Strict Conditions for Admission

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