Education
WAEC faces N100bn lawsuit over midnight exams
WAEC faces N100bn lawsuit over midnight exams
A Lagos-based lawyer and human rights advocate, Evans Ufeli, has filed a lawsuit against the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Federal Ministry of Education, seeking N100 billion in damages over the alleged violation of students’ fundamental rights during the May 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Ufeli, who filed the suit on behalf of affected students, is asking the court to declare the conduct of the English Language exam as “unlawful, inhumane, and constitutionally defective.”
According to him, students were subjected to “degrading and traumatic conditions,” including taking exams in darkness and unsafe environments, sometimes as late as 8pm.
The originating motion, filed under Sections 33, 34, 35, 36, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), alongside relevant provisions of the Child Rights Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, seeks several key judicial pronouncements.
Among the reliefs sought are:
- A declaration that the conduct of the 2025 WASSCE English Language exam in “unsafe and dark conditions amounted to a violation of students’ fundamental rights under the Constitution and African Charter.”
- A mandatory order compelling WAEC and the Ministry to organise a re-sit of the affected exams at no cost to students.
- A public apology from both WAEC and the Ministry, as well as a comprehensive review of their examination logistics and emergency response strategies.
- N100 billion in general and exemplary damages for the trauma, mental anguish, and violation of students’ rights.
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In his filing, Ufeli argued that “thousands of students were forced to sit for exams in ‘unsafe, dimly lit, and hazardous environments,’ often without adequate lighting or security.”
He maintained that such conditions breach students’ constitutional rights to human dignity, fair hearing, and life, as protected under Nigerian law and international treaties.
“The Respondents failed in their constitutional and statutory duties to protect the rights of students during a high-stakes national examination. The result is widespread psychological trauma, disruption of academic performance, and exposure to physical harm,” the application stated.
The suit holds both WAEC and the Ministry responsible for what it describes as administrative negligence, logistical failure, and gross indifference to the welfare of young Nigerians.
Condemning the agencies’ actions, Ufeli said in a statement accompanying the suit:
“This case is not just about one paper. It is about the future of a generation. The law does not permit the State or its agencies to sacrifice the rights and well-being of students on the altar of bureaucratic ineptitude.”
He also referenced reports from the National Assembly, media, and civil society groups which support claims of widespread irregularities, including delayed exam materials and chaotic conditions at many exam centres.
As of press time, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.
WAEC faces N100bn lawsuit over midnight exams
Education
Alausa Warns States as Many Risk Losing $552m World Bank HOPE Education Fund
Alausa Warns States as Many Risk Losing $552m World Bank HOPE Education Fund
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has issued a firm warning to state governments, urging them to urgently meet the conditions required to access the $552 million World Bank-supported HOPE Education Programme, cautioning that several states risk missing out on the performance-based funding despite being eligible beneficiaries. Alausa made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of the five-day Executive Retreat for Commissioners of Education organised by the Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education (COSCEN), emphasising that unlocking the funds is critical to improving access to quality education, strengthening learning outcomes, and deepening education sector reforms across the country. Describing education as Nigeria’s most strategic investment for economic growth, national security, and sustainable development, Alausa stressed that while the Federal Government provides policy direction and strategic interventions, the responsibility for delivering quality education rests largely with state governments, making stronger federal-state partnership indispensable for achieving sustainable reforms. He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed education at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda by providing the political leadership and support required to implement bold reforms capable of transforming the nation’s education sector, but the success of these reforms would depend largely on the commitment and collaboration of state governments.
The Minister identified the transition from assumption-based planning to evidence-driven governance as one of the most significant reforms being implemented in Nigeria’s education sector, announcing the rollout of the National Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI) and the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System (DNEMIS) to support this transition. According to the Minister, the integrated digital platforms will provide real-time information on learner enrolment, teacher deployment, school infrastructure, learning outcomes, and other critical indicators required for effective planning, budgeting, monitoring, and resource allocation. “We must move from planning based on assumptions to planning based on evidence. The quality of our decisions, our budgets and our interventions can only be as good as the data on which they are based,” Alausa was quoted as saying. He explained that the platforms would integrate education data from schools, local governments, states and federal institutions into a single interoperable system, thereby improving transparency, accountability and evidence-based decision-making across the sector. Alausa urged all states to complete their Annual School Census using the digitised platform, commending Kaduna and Borno states for making significant progress in the exercise while encouraging other states to accelerate implementation. He also disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Education had deployed digital dashboards and smart boards to support evidence-based planning, with the National Bureau of Statistics providing additional analytical support to strengthen education planning nationwide.
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- BUK, Northwest University students demand prompt payment of NELFUND upkeep allowances
Speaking on the HOPE Education Programme, the Minister disclosed that although all 36 states are eligible to benefit from the $552 million performance-based financing initiative, many have yet to complete critical requirements, including signing Subsidiary Loan Agreements (SLAs) , opening designated programme accounts and fulfilling mandatory data reporting obligations. He urged commissioners of education to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Education and the World Bank to satisfy the Programme-for-Results conditions needed to unlock additional resources for improving access to education, learning outcomes, teacher development, and education governance. The Minister further highlighted priorities under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) , stating that the Federal Government is expanding access to affordable digital learning technologies, including offline instructional platforms, comprehensive digital learning resources from Primary One to Senior Secondary School, and teacher-support tools to improve classroom instruction. He warned states against investing in costly smart school projects without sustainable maintenance plans, while also proposing quarterly review meetings for state commissioners to promote peer learning, monitor implementation, and strengthen accountability. Reaffirming that education is a shared national responsibility beyond political affiliations, Alausa called on stakeholders to institutionalise reliable education data, strengthen accountability, invest in human capital, and sustain collaborative reforms capable of delivering measurable improvements in learning outcomes.
In a keynote presentation titled “Beyond the Tenure of Commissioners: Sustaining Education Reforms in the Era of Digital Disruption,” former Aviation Minister and Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, Mr Osita Chidoka, urged commissioners to build reforms that outlast political administrations, arguing that lasting improvements in education require policy continuity, dependable data, stronger teacher development, accountability and sustained investment in learning outcomes rather than short-term interventions. Chidoka, who has previously described the National Education Data Infrastructure initiative as one of the most consequential national infrastructure projects Nigeria has undertaken in recent years, emphasised that “roads can wait, buildings can wait, airports can wait—education cannot.” He noted that Nigeria’s estimated 15 million out-of-school children represent a national emergency, and that credible, real-time data would help policymakers confront realities that may otherwise remain obscured. Chidoka highlighted two key data points from the National Education Management Information System that stood out during recent stakeholders’ meetings: the sharp decline between primary school enrolment and junior secondary school attendance, raising concerns about what happens to pupils transitioning between Primary Six and JSS One, and the composition of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination candidates, which exposed the severe admission bottleneck in Nigeria’s tertiary education system. He admitted that the evidence presented had changed his perspective on some of Alausa’s policy decisions, noting that “the power of credible, real-time data does not merely inform policy; it humbles assumptions.”
Representing the World Bank Country Director, Mr Matthew Verghis, the Senior Economist and Task Team Leader for the HOPE Education Programme, Mr Shin Nomura, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s education reform agenda through the HOPE Education Programme. Nomura disclosed that the programme became effective in March 2026 and is designed to strengthen education governance, financing, teacher development, learning outcomes and data systems through a performance-based financing model. He encouraged all states to complete the necessary preparatory requirements to enable timely access to the programme’s funding. According to the World Bank, the programme is expected to provide direct education services to about 29 million children and 500,000 teachers across more than 65,000 primary schools in Nigeria, aiming to improve literacy and expand access to education across participating states.
Alausa Warns States as Many Risk Losing $552m World Bank HOPE Education Fund
Education
BUK, Northwest University students demand prompt payment of NELFUND upkeep allowances
BUK, Northwest University students demand prompt payment of NELFUND upkeep allowances
Students of Bayero University Kano (BUK) and Northwest University Kano have called on the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to expedite the payment of outstanding monthly upkeep allowances, saying prolonged delays are affecting their welfare, academic activities and ability to meet essential daily expenses.
The students said many beneficiaries are still awaiting several months of the ₦20,000 NELFUND monthly upkeep allowance, despite assurances that the outstanding payments would be processed.
The appeal comes amid growing concerns among student beneficiaries over delays in the disbursement of upkeep funds, which many depend on for transportation, feeding, accommodation and the purchase of books and other academic materials.
The President of the BUK Students’ Union Government (SUG), Abdulmudalib Kalli-Sherrif, said nearly 30,000 students at the university are benefiting from the NELFUND student loan scheme, which provides support for institutional charges and approved monthly upkeep expenses.
He explained that about four months of unpaid allowances accumulated because of a mismatch between BUK’s academic calendar and NELFUND’s payment schedule after the university’s academic session was extended.
“About four months’ backlog was created due to the mismatch of the calendars of BUK and NELFUND, which extended the session. NELFUND has updated its system and assured us that students will receive the outstanding allowances soon,” Kalli-Sherrif said.
He added that some beneficiaries had started receiving payments, with students in Batch A recently credited with ₦20,000, while others were still waiting for their outstanding allowances.
Kalli-Sherrif commended the Federal Government for introducing the NELFUND student loan programme, describing it as an important intervention that has reduced the financial burden of higher education for many students and their families.
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At Northwest University Kano, beneficiaries also expressed concern over delays in the payment of their upkeep allowances and appealed for a more reliable and transparent disbursement process.
A beneficiary and Building Technology student, Haruna Sani, said he recently received ₦20,000 but was still expecting payments for about two months.
“I received ₦20,000 last week, but I am still expecting payment for about two months. We were assured that the outstanding allowance may be paid soon,” he said.
Haruna urged NELFUND and relevant authorities to consider a more flexible arrangement for tuition support, especially for students who paid their institutional charges before their loan applications were approved.
He noted that some students who used personal or family funds to pay their fees before benefiting from the scheme were still waiting for refunds.
Another beneficiary, Hussaina Bashir of the Department of Educational Foundations, said delayed upkeep payments had made it difficult for some students to buy textbooks, course materials and other essential academic resources.
She appealed to NELFUND to ensure that approved allowances are released promptly and consistently so students can plan their academic and personal expenses.
The spokesperson for the Northwest University Kano SUG, Umar Ibrahim, said the union had received complaints from beneficiaries across different faculties.
He said the delayed payments were affecting not only students but also small businesses operating around the university, as many students had less money available for food, transportation and other daily needs.
Ibrahim called for the immediate payment of outstanding allowances and urged the Federal Government to review the ₦20,000 monthly upkeep stipend in view of rising living and transportation costs.
The Dean of Student Affairs at Northwest University Kano, Ibrahim Musa, confirmed that the institution had received complaints from students but clarified that the university does not disburse the allowances.
According to him, NELFUND pays approved upkeep funds directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts, while the university may only become aware of successful payments after students receive transaction alerts.
Musa said the institution had engaged relevant authorities over the complaints and was informed that the delays were linked to the release and processing of funds for onward disbursement.
The development has renewed calls for stronger coordination between NELFUND, tertiary institutions and relevant government agencies to ensure that approved student loans, upkeep allowances and tuition-related refunds are processed without unnecessary delays.
Parents of beneficiaries have also welcomed the student loan initiative but expressed concern that delayed upkeep payments and refunds could place additional financial pressure on families.
One parent, Zulai Abubakar, said many families borrowed money or made significant sacrifices to pay school fees before their children were approved for the NELFUND loan.
She urged tertiary institutions to process refunds promptly after receiving institutional payments from the Fund.
Another parent, Muyideen Akorede, described the programme as a commendable intervention but warned that prolonged delays in refunds and upkeep payments could weaken public confidence in the scheme.
Fatima Sani, also a parent, said many students depend on the monthly allowance for transportation, feeding and the purchase of academic materials, adding that delayed payments could affect their ability to participate fully in academic activities.
The NELFUND student loan scheme was introduced to expand access to higher education by providing eligible Nigerian students with financial support for institutional charges and approved living expenses.
Students and parents are now urging NELFUND to improve communication with beneficiaries, provide clearer payment timelines and ensure that outstanding allowances are cleared promptly.
They said timely and predictable disbursement would reduce financial pressure on students and families, support academic participation and strengthen confidence in the government’s efforts to make higher education more accessible and affordable.
BUK, Northwest University students demand prompt payment of NELFUND upkeep allowances
Education
Regnum Medical University Secures NUC Licence, Set to Boost Nigeria’s Healthcare Workforce
Regnum Medical University Secures NUC Licence, Set to Boost Nigeria’s Healthcare Workforce
Regnum Medical University, Anthony, Lagos, has received its operational licence from the National Universities Commission (NUC), clearing the way for the institution to begin training the next generation of medical and healthcare professionals in Nigeria.
The licence followed the university’s approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), marking a major milestone in efforts to expand access to quality medical education and strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce.
The NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, formally presented the licence to the university’s leadership, including the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Professor Akin Osibogun; Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr Akinbode Agbaoye; and the Proprietor, Mr Chuks Ochonogor.
The university will commence academic activities with degree programmes in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.), Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS), Physiotherapy (DPT) and Radiography (B.Rad.).
Professor Osibogun, who chaired the institution’s Planning and Implementation Committee before his appointment as pioneer Vice-Chancellor, is one of Nigeria’s most accomplished medical academics and administrators.
A Professor of Community Health, he is a Fellow of the Nigerian Medical Association (FNMA), the association’s highest professional honour, and was named a Distinguished Professor by the University of Lagos in January 2026.
He previously served as Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) from 2006 to 2014 and later as President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria between 2022 and 2023.
Professor Osibogun is also a Fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (FMPCH) and the West African College of Physicians (FWACP), and has been honoured as a Distinguished Fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College.
The Chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees, Mr Agbaoye, is a former Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, bringing decades of experience in university administration and regulation to the institution.
According to the university, Regnum Medical University is committed to attracting highly qualified medical educators and deploying innovative teaching technologies to produce competent, compassionate and globally competitive healthcare professionals.
The institution said it aims to contribute significantly to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria by equipping graduates with the knowledge, skills and ethical values required to meet both local and international healthcare needs.
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