Education
Varsity strike may continue as non-academic unions reject FG-ASUU deal
- Protest N40bn earned allowances sharing formula
The expectation of academic activities resuming at the Nigerian public universities after Wednesday’s suspension of the protracted strike by lecturers may not materialise as three non-academic unions have kicked against the N40bn earned academic allowance deal sealed by the Federal Government and the lecturers’ union.
The three unions, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, (SSANU); Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), said they would not resume in January when universities reopen unless the Federal Government corrected the “imbalance.”
They accused the government of allocating about 75 per cent of the N40 billion EAA to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, leaving members of the three other unions with only 25 per cent.
National President of NAAT Ibeji Nwokomma said anyone thinking that the non-teaching staff unions in the universities would resume with the recent development was day-dreaming
He said the discrepancy in the sharing of the N40bn contradicted the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Federal government and NAAT on November 18 during a conciliatory meeting called by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Nwokoma said, “My union is rejecting the sharing formula of the earned allowances as it is being done by the government.
“Government has allocated 75 per cent to ASUU and 25 per cent to all other non-teaching unions in the universities. This is grossly inadequate.
“That is robbing Peter to pay Paul and using divide and rule in the university system. No union, not even ASUU, has the monopoly of opening or closing of schools through strike. Other unions also have that capacity to ensure that the system does not work.
“Secondly, my union, ASUU and other unions negotiated with the government, so, payment of Earned Allowances will be based on unions, it should be on the basis of the 2009 agreement; that is where the Earned Allowances is derived from. Lumping my union with other non-teaching staff is totally unacceptable to us.
“We have an MoU with the government just signed on November 15, which says that government should clearly define what should go to each union and government agreed that it was going to do that and today they just shared the money anyhow without adhering to the MoU.
“My union is asking that our own Earned Allowances should be specified, whatever it is should be specified just like they did to ASUU. If nothing is done, we will close down the system until we are fairly treated.”
National President of SSANU, Haruna Ibrahim, said his union would not take the lopsided sharing formula.
He said, “I believe that this remains a rumour even though I know it could be true. I have seen 75 per cent and 25 per cent.
“We have stated in no uncertain terms that we will not take this kind of lopsided allocations again because what is the scientific measurement used to give this money. We have stated before now that the least we can take is 50-50; they are not more in numbers.
“If they give for example 60-40, do you think the noise will be there? Government does not want peace if it is giving 75 per cent to only one union and giving 25 per cent to three unions. Does it make sense?”
“Certainly, my members are more than willing to down tools if this becomes a reality.”
The Federal Government has agreed to pay all withheld salaries of the ASUU members who had not enrolled in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) between December to January, 2021.
The government, through the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation also agreed to release the N40bn as the EAA by end of this month.
It offered to release N30bn for revitalization of the universities as part of one tranche of N220bn on or before January 31, 2021 as a sign of commitment to the MoU it signed in 2013.
The government said the withheld salaries would be paid in instalment because of “special management of funds.”
It also agreed that all members of ASUU who had been omitted from payment between February and June and from June to December should be paid their salaries as soon as their respective universities updated their lists. The list includes those on sabbatical leave.
According to the federal government, payment of check off dues of ASUU will start by next week.
These are some of the agreements reached between the leadership of ASUU and the government team led by Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, at a meeting on Tuesday.
Education
FG approves NYSC mobilisation for all full-time HND graduates
FG approves NYSC mobilisation for all full-time HND graduates
The Federal Government has approved the mobilisation of all full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), ending years of exclusion from the scheme.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the decision on Thursday in Abuja, stating that only graduates of full-time HND programs would be eligible for mobilisation. The policy shift follows consultations with the Director-General of the NYSC and is aimed at promoting fairness in the education sector.
“The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to equity, fairness, and inclusivity in Nigeria’s education system,” Alausa said in a statement released by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo.
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To ensure smooth implementation, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has been directed to compile data on eligible HND graduates. A circular has also been issued to polytechnic rectors, instructing them to upload the necessary graduate records to a newly established HND admission portal, which will serve as the official database for NYSC mobilisation.
However, the minister clarified that part-time HND graduates remain ineligible for the scheme.
“This decision applies strictly to those who completed a full-time HND programme,” Alausa reiterated.
He urged all qualified graduates to take advantage of the opportunity and begin their mobilisation process immediately.
The move is expected to address long-standing concerns among polytechnic graduates and enhance their participation in national development through the NYSC scheme.
FG approves NYSC mobilisation for all full-time HND graduates
Education
Romanian university offers fully funded scholarships to non-EU and non-EEA students for 2025
Romanian university offers fully funded scholarships to non-EU and non-EEA students for 2025
Romanian university offers fully funded scholarships to non-EU and non-EEA students for 2025
Education
New Zealand university offers up to $10,000 scholarship for international students
New Zealand university offers up to $10,000 scholarship for international students
Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, is offering the Tongarewa International Scholarship, which provides financial assistance of up to $10,000 to international students for their first year of study.
The scholarship seeks to support students in covering part of their tuition fees at the university.
The Tongarewa International Scholarship is available to international students starting their studies at Victoria University of Wellington in Trimester 2 or Trimester 3 of 2025.
This partial fee-based scholarship is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, offering a maximum award of $10,000.
“This is a partial fee-based scholarship that will go towards tuition fees for one year of study. It is designed for new international students, who are entering their first year of undergraduate or postgraduate studies at Victoria University of Wellington,” the institution informs.
“Scholarships are awarded competitively on the basis of academic excellence”
Eligibility criteria for the scholarship
To be eligible for the Tongarewa International Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be new international students
- Students must also hold a Conditional or Unconditional Offer of Place for an eligible program at Victoria University of Wellington
- New students to Victoria University of Wellington
- Selected by the scholarship award panel (upon scholarship application)
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Applicants are not eligible for this scholarship if they:
- Completed their secondary education at a New Zealand school;
- Completed the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) or the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation Studies programme;
- Are a Study Abroad or Exchange student or a Twinning student from one of the institution’s overseas partner universities;
- Are in their second trimester or year of study in the same degree programme (returning students) at Victoria University of Wellington
Application process
Students interested in applying for the scholarship must submit an application demonstrating academic achievement and leadership potential.
Scholarship requirements
The following documentation must be provided as part of the online scholarship application:
- A personal statement of up to 500 words outlining why the applicant wishes to study at Victoria University of Wellington, their academic goals and why they merit the scholarship
- Applicants should also include any leadership positions and details of their involvement in their school or community
According to the institution, “this is a partial fee-based scholarship which is awarded competitively based on academic excellence and the student’s personal statement. A panel comprising appropriate Wellington University International staff will review the applications and award the scholarships.”
Details further inform that the amount of the stipend will be awarded as either $2,500; $5,000; $7,500 or $10,000.
The scholarship amount, according to the institution, will be credited to students’ accounts two weeks after the programme begins. It cannot be paid out before this date.
Once the scholarship is awarded, the decision is final and cannot be appealed.
“Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw,” the institution states.
Important deadlines
The deadline to apply for the scholarship is May 1st, 2025 for Trimester 2 and 1 August 2025 for Trimester 3. Applications must be submitted on the respective deadline dates.
For more details or to apply, students can visit the Victoria University of Wellington website.
New Zealand university offers up to $10,000 scholarship for international students
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