Education
UI VC race: Four Profs present, others absent at interactive session
Only four Professors were physically present at the town hall meeting organised by the UI Community Forum tagged: “The voice of the next UI VC: Who is next?” on Monday.
Sixteen contestants were expected to present their agenda to the university community.
The acting vice-chancellor, Professor Babatunde Ekanola, also in the race was absent at the session but sent a video presentation.
Ekanola apologised he was on an important official assignment.
The UI Community Forum established in 2000 has maintained a culture of having a town-hall meeting with aspirants to the position of the Vice-Chancellor of the University.
The debate monitored by The Nation, held at Trenchard Hall, and was streamed live on various social media platforms.
The event was organised by the UI Community Forum consisting of five unions in the premier institution ― Academic Staff of Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Students Union (SU), Non-Academic Staff Union of University (NASU) and the Non-Academic Technicians (NATS).
The Nation reports the process of electing the institution’s VC in the past months had been marred with various allegations, counter-allegations and engulfed in a series of crises due to clashes and misunderstandings between various interest groups.
Those in attendance were Professor Hakeem Babatunde Faweyinmi of the University of Port Harcourt; Professor Rasaq Olatunde Kalilu of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH); Professor Ganiyu Aderounmu and Professor Adeyinka Abideen Aderinto of the Department of Sociology.
Others, including Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale of the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science; Professor Babatunde Salako, the acting vice-chancellor of the University, Prof. A.B Ekanola made video presentations played at the session.
Others absent because they were on various assignments or engagements were Prof. B.L Salako; Prof. A.B Ekanola; Prof. K.O Adebowale; Prof. E.O Faronbi; Prof. Olaopa; Prof. Raji Oyelade; Prof. Ademowo; Prof. Kolawole and Prof. Layiwola.
The Nation learnt the institution’s council has indicated its determination to produce a substantive Vice-Chancellor by Oct. 14 in line with its revised time table while screening to select six out of the 16 contestants would hold on Oct. 13 after the election of Oct. 12.
The council would do the final selection of the six, interview them and ratify the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor on Oct. 14.
The Nation
Education
Cross River Seals 58 Schools in Crackdown on Unapproved Education Centres
Cross River Seals 58 Schools in Crackdown on Unapproved Education Centres
The Cross River State Government has shut down 58 unapproved schools in an intensified statewide crackdown on institutions operating without the mandatory Approval to Operate (ATO), warning proprietors against reopening without official authorisation.
The enforcement exercise, being conducted by the state Ministry of Education through its Department of Quality Assurance, targets schools that have failed to meet the regulatory requirements for operating nursery, primary and secondary educational institutions.
The Commissioner for Education, Stephen Odey, said the exercise was aimed at enforcing education standards, protecting pupils and students, and ensuring that schools operate within the state’s approved regulatory framework.
The government said the inspections would continue across Cross River State’s 18 local government areas as authorities work to identify unapproved institutions and ensure compliance with existing regulations.
Odey warned that schools sealed during the operation must not resume activities until they have obtained the necessary approval from the relevant authorities. He also cautioned proprietors against violating closure orders, saying offenders could face further sanctions.
READ ALSO:
- INEC Raises Alarm Over Fake APC Result Naming Okorocha, Seeks DSS, Police Probe
- Fitch Gives Tinubu Fresh Economic Boost as Nigeria’s Outlook Turns Positive
- Ronaldo Hits 980th Career Goal as Al-Nassr Win After Portugal Fallout
According to the state government, the enforcement campaign is not intended to victimise school owners but to ensure that all educational institutions meet the minimum requirements for safe and effective teaching and learning.
Among the schools identified in the government’s October 10 announcement were Impact Group of Schools, Gospel Beacon Academy and Divvy Bliss Schools in Calabar Municipality.
Others included Warriors Seed Academy, Children of Promise Christian School and Future Amazing International Schools in Calabar South.
In Odukpani Local Government Area, the government listed De-Royal Academy School, Maria Assumpta Nursery/Primary School and Success Kids Nursery/Primary School among the affected institutions.
Five schools were also identified in Akamkpa Local Government Area: Creative Brain International School, St. Luck’s Anglican Nursery/Primary School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Hot Brain Academy and Armour Christian International School.
The latest closures followed earlier enforcement exercises announced by the government during the week. On October 9, authorities reported identifying 15 schools operating without approval in Calabar Municipality, Odukpani and Yakurr. On October 8, another nine schools were reported shut in Calabar Municipality, while 14 schools were identified in Calabar South on October 7.
The successive operations form part of the government’s effort to strengthen school regulation and quality assurance across the state. However, the individual batches should not be added together without a consolidated list confirming that no school has been counted more than once.
The government has urged proprietors of affected schools to approach the appropriate authorities to regularise their operations and obtain the necessary approvals before reopening.
Parents and guardians have also been encouraged to verify the approval status of schools attended by their children to ensure that the institutions comply with the state’s requirements.
The closures could disrupt learning for pupils and students whose schools have been affected, particularly where families need to find alternative institutions. The government has not provided a consolidated public list of all 58 schools in the reports reviewed or announced a common reopening date for the affected institutions.
The crackdown follows an earlier warning issued by the state government in August 2025, when it announced plans to close unapproved nursery, primary and secondary schools from September of that year.
The state government has maintained that compliance with school approval requirements is necessary to uphold educational standards and ensure that institutions operate within the law.
Cross River Seals 58 Schools in Crackdown on Unapproved Education Centres
Education
FG Releases Eight-Month Arrears After SSANU Strike Threat
FG Releases Eight-Month Arrears After SSANU Strike Threat
The Federal Government has released eight months’ salary arrears owed members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), less than 48 hours after the union issued a 14-day ultimatum threatening an indefinite strike.
SSANU had issued the ultimatum over the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement and demanded payment of outstanding entitlements, warning that failure to act would lead to a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action.”
The union’s demands included payment of outstanding Consolidated University Teaching and Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTTA) arrears calculated from January 1, 2026.
It also demanded payment of two months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action, as well as one-year arrears arising from the approved 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.
READ ALSO:
- Yobe: 9-Year-Old Boy Burns Stepmothers, Brothers To Death In Revenge Attack
- 2027: Donald Duke Pledges To Bring Petrol Price Down To N300 Per Litre
- Olu of Warri Denies N2.7tn Pipeline Deal, Demands Evidence From Dokubo
Confirming the release, SSANU National President, Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, said members would begin receiving alerts reflecting the payment.
Ibrahim commended the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, for intervening in the matter and facilitating the release of the funds.
However, the payment does not resolve all of the union’s outstanding demands. SSANU has maintained that the government must settle the remaining arrears and ensure full implementation of the 2026 agreement.
The development has nevertheless eased an immediate threat of disruption in the Nigerian university system, coming just days after the union warned of a nationwide industrial action.
SSANU has urged affected members to liaise with their respective university managements to ensure that the released funds are properly and promptly paid.
The latest development comes amid continuing concerns over university workers’ salaries, arrears and welfare, as well as the implementation of agreements between the Federal Government and university-based unions.
FG Releases Eight-Month Arrears After SSANU Strike Threat
Education
Why JAMB Is Taking UTME To Canada — Registrar Explains
Why JAMB Is Taking UTME To Canada — Registrar Explains
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has explained why it is taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to Canada, saying the move is aimed at expanding access to Nigerian tertiary education rather than making money.
JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, said the board is working to establish a UTME examination centre in Ottawa, Canada, from 2027 to enable eligible Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America to sit the examination without travelling to Nigeria solely for the exercise.
The planned centre followed Aina’s visit to the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, where discussions were held on arrangements for conducting the examination.
JAMB said the initiative is part of its effort to make the Nigerian university admission system more accessible to Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly those seeking admission into universities and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
“For Nigerians in Canada, the UTME is coming closer to home,” the board said while announcing the plan.
However, the decision has generated questions over the likely number of candidates who would use the centre and whether establishing an examination facility in Canada would be financially viable.
Responding to such concerns, Aina said the number of candidates was not the primary consideration for establishing foreign examination centres.
READ ALSO:
- FULL LIST: NAF Releases Names Of 25 Victims Killed In Ondo Crash
- Supreme Council For Sharia Secretary-General Nafiu Baba-Ahmed Dies
- Former NADECO Leader Ralph Obioha Dies At 80
He explained that JAMB currently conducts the UTME in about 10 foreign countries as a service to improve access to education, adding that the board also conducts examinations in correctional service centres for the same reason.
According to the registrar, Nigerians relocate abroad for different reasons, while children of Nigerian public servants posted overseas may also need to sit the UTME without returning to the country specifically for the examination.
Aina said the absence of a JAMB examination centre in North America had previously made it difficult for prospective candidates in the region to participate in the UTME locally.
He added that JAMB does not necessarily need to acquire or rent a permanent building or employ a new workforce to establish the Ottawa centre.
The registrar explained that the board works with Nigerian diplomatic missions in countries where it conducts overseas examinations, using temporary spaces within high commission premises and relying on diplomatic mission staff to assist with the exercise.
Aina also said no money had been spent on the proposed Canadian centre so far.
He explained that his visit to Canada coincided with a conference and that he used the opportunity to initiate discussions with the Nigerian High Commission about the proposed examination arrangement.
JAMB‘s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, also defended the initiative, saying more than 100 prospective candidates in Canada had already indicated interest in sitting the examination there.
The proposed Ottawa centre is expected to serve eligible Nigerians in Canada as well as those in other parts of North America who wish to gain admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
JAMB said the move would reduce the barriers faced by Nigerians abroad and strengthen their connection with the country’s education system.
The board also said the initiative would provide an opportunity to showcase Nigerian tertiary education internationally and create more pathways for Nigerians in the diaspora to pursue higher education in Nigeria.
The proposed JAMB Canada centre is expected to commence operations with the 2027 UTME.
Why JAMB Is Taking UTME To Canada — Registrar Explains
-
metro2 days ago₦8.7bn Erosion-Control Budget Gap Raises Questions as Anambra Gullies Expand
-
Politics2 days agoObi Positioning for SGF Role Under Atiku’s ADC Ticket – Sowore
-
metro2 days agoHow Bandits Demand ₦300m Ransom for Abducted Kaduna Couple, Baby in Viral Video
-
News3 days agoOASIS Foundation Webinar: Physician Urges Healthy Living to Prevent Chronic Diseases
-
metro2 days agoChild Soldiers, Baby Factories: US Raises Alarm Over Official Complicity in Nigeria
-
News3 days agoFuel Subsidy May Ease Hardship Today, But Could Cripple Nigeria’s Economy Tomorrow — FG
-
Politics2 days agoOkonkwo Alleges Return of Subsidy, Accuses NNPC of Plotting Trillions in ‘Lost Profit’
-
metro2 days ago2027 Elections: Atiku Demands Names of INEC Ballot Printers, Questions Secret Contracts