Tinubu Approves Fresh Education Appointments

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a series of new appointments across key education agencies in Nigeria, including the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), in a move aimed at strengthening governance and improving standards in the education sector.

The appointments were announced on Wednesday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the decision reflects ongoing reforms under the Federal Ministry of Education to enhance institutional efficiency and service delivery.

As part of the changes, Tinubu appointed Prof. Modupe Adeola Adelabu as Chairman of the Governing Board of NECO, while retaining Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi as Registrar of the examination body to ensure continuity in national examination administration.

The President also named Prof. Babatunde Salako as Chairman of the NBTE, while earlier confirming the reappointment of Prof. Idris Bugaje as Executive Secretary of the agency for a second and final five-year term.

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In the polytechnic sector, the President approved the appointment of Dr Bongfa Binfa as Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, N’yak-Shendam, Plateau State, for a single five-year tenure. Binfa succeeds Dr Mukaila Zakari Ya’u, whose tenure ended in March 2026. Before his appointment, he served as Deputy Rector (Academic) at the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny.

Tinubu also renewed the tenure of Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi as Director-General of the National Library of Nigeria for a final five-year term. Her renewed mandate is expected to sustain ongoing reforms, including the expansion of digital learning platforms such as the National Repository of Nigeria and the National Virtual Library.

According to the presidency, the appointments are designed to strengthen leadership across education agencies in Nigeria, promote education reform in Nigeria, and improve the performance of institutions responsible for examinations, technical training, and knowledge management.

Officials noted that Prof. Adelabu brings extensive experience in educational administration, having previously served as Deputy Governor of Ekiti State and NBTE chairman, while Prof. Salako is a former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research.

The government said the renewed and new appointments will help consolidate ongoing reforms, enhance institutional stability, and support long-term projects such as the completion of the National Library headquarters in Abuja.

Analysts say the latest move reflects the Tinubu administration’s broader push to reposition Nigeria’s education system through experienced leadership, continuity in key agencies, and a stronger focus on technical and digital learning infrastructure.

Tinubu Approves Fresh Education Appointments

FG Opens PTDF Scholarship 2026: Requirements, Deadline, and Application Steps

The Federal Government has officially opened applications for the 2025/2026 PTDF in-country scholarship in Nigeria, offering financial support to undergraduate and postgraduate students studying engineering and energy-related disciplines in Nigerian universities.

The programme, administered by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), opened its portal on Monday, April 20, 2026, and will close on Friday, May 29, 2026. The initiative is part of efforts to boost local capacity in Nigeria’s oil, gas, and energy sectors and reduce reliance on foreign expertise.

As demand grows for skilled professionals in the energy industry, the PTDF scholarship 2026 targets students in fields such as petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, geosciences, environmental management, and energy economics. Only candidates admitted into accredited Nigerian universities are eligible to apply.

Applications must be completed online via the official PTDF portal: https://scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng, where candidates are expected to follow a structured process carefully to avoid disqualification.

Applicants must possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), as NIN verification for PTDF scholarship is a mandatory requirement. The selection process is merit-based, considering academic performance and the relevance of the applicant’s course to national development priorities.

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The application procedure is detailed and must be followed step by step to ensure a successful submission.

Step-by-step application process

1. Create an account
   Visit the PTDF scholarship portal and register by filling in your personal details. A confirmation email will be sent with instructions to activate your account and set a password.
2. Log in to the portal
   Use your registered email address and password to access the application dashboard.
3. Verify your NIN
   Complete the NIN verification process before proceeding. PTDF advises candidates to avoid repeated failed attempts and instead use support channels if issues arise.
4. Accept terms and conditions
   Carefully read and accept the disclaimer and terms of the programme. Failure to accept automatically ends the application process.
5. Fill the application form
   Complete all required sections with accurate information. Ensure consistency with your official documents to avoid disqualification.
6. Select course and institution
   Choose your preferred universities and programmes (first, second, and third choices). Postgraduate applicants must upload a statement of purpose for PTDF scholarship (MSc) or a research proposal (PhD).
7. Upload required documents
   Submit all mandatory documents, including academic certificates, birth certificate, and local government identification. Files must meet specified size and format requirements (usually PDF).
8. Add additional credentials (optional)
   Upload professional memberships, certifications, or publications where applicable to strengthen your application.
9. Review your application
   Carefully preview all entries and documents to correct any errors before submission.
10. Submit your application
    Finalise and submit your application. Note that no edits can be made after submission, and multiple submissions may lead to disqualification.

The PTDF scholarship application process is highly competitive, and only candidates who meet all requirements and demonstrate strong academic potential will be selected. Successful applicants will receive support covering tuition, stipends, and essential learning materials.

Unlike its overseas counterpart, the PTDF in-country scholarship scheme focuses on strengthening Nigeria’s domestic education system and building a skilled workforce within local institutions. Experts say the programme plays a critical role in bridging technical skill gaps and supporting reforms in the energy sector.

The initiative also aligns with national policies under the Electricity Act 2023, which emphasise local capacity development and sustainable energy growth.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early via https://scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng and ensure full compliance with all guidelines before the May 29, 2026 deadline to improve their chances of success in the 2026 PTDF scholarship Nigeria programme.

FG Opens PTDF Scholarship 2026: Requirements, Deadline, and Application Steps

University Workers’ Union Gives FG Ultimatum Over Failed Renegotiation

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has issued a strong warning to the Federal Government, insisting that ongoing negotiations on university workers’ welfare must be concluded by April 30, 2026, or face a nationwide industrial action.

The warning followed a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Saturday at the union’s national secretariat in Abuja, where leaders reviewed the status of the long-running renegotiation process between university-based unions and the Federal Government.

In a communiqué signed by SSANU National President, Muhammad Ibrahim, the union stressed that contrary to reports circulating in the public space, the renegotiation process has not been concluded and no final agreement has been signed.

The union also dismissed claims suggesting that a 30 percent increase in allowances had already been approved, describing such reports as misleading and not reflective of the ongoing discussions.

SSANU warned that it will not accept any outcome that falls below the agreed expectations reached during negotiations, insisting that principles of fairness, collective bargaining, and due process must be respected by the Federal Government.

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The NEC reaffirmed its earlier ultimatum issued alongside the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, giving the government from April 1 to April 30, 2026, to conclude negotiations and sign a binding agreement.

It warned that failure to meet the deadline would leave both unions with no option but to embark on an indefinite, comprehensive, and total strike action across Nigerian universities, potentially disrupting academic and administrative activities nationwide.

SSANU further urged its members across all branches to remain calm, vigilant, and united, while preparing to fully comply with any directive issued by the union leadership in defence of their welfare and professional dignity.

The union also reiterated its commitment to pursuing justice through dialogue but insisted that it would not hesitate to act if the Federal Government fails to demonstrate urgency in addressing the outstanding issues.

The dispute is largely centered on unresolved demands relating to salary structure adjustments, welfare packages, earned allowances, and poor funding of Nigerian universities, which SSANU says have remained pending for years.

Education stakeholders have warned that another breakdown in negotiations could once again trigger widespread disruptions in the Nigerian university system, which has experienced repeated strikes in recent years.

University Workers’ Union Gives FG Ultimatum Over Failed Renegotiation