Education

Wigwe varsity becomes most expensive Nigerian university, unseats Nile, Baze

Published

2 years ago

May 19, 2024

Wigwe University

Wigwe varsity becomes most expensive Nigerian university, unseats Nile, Baze

“I cannot change the world overnight. But if I can empower even one youth today, or tomorrow, they could join me in empowering others. With time, we could change the world,” were the words of the late Herbert Wigwe, the founder of Wigwe University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Wigwe, who died in a helicopter crash alongside his wife, Chizoba, and son, Chizzy, in the United States, was also a co-founder of Access Holdings (owners of Access Bank PLC).

The school, located in Isiokpo, Port Harcourt, when inaugurated in August 2024, could be Nigeria’s most expensive university, topping the likes of Covenant University, Otta; Nile University, Abuja; Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, and Baze University, Abuja, which are said to be some of Nigeria’s most expensive universities.

The varsity which is set to open its gates to its first set of students in August is also said to be run fully on 24-hour electricity and WiFi.

According to the school’s website, it also has an active conservation plan.

“With environmental protection as one of our eight sustainability pillars, we not only prioritise our impact but have looked to the area’s natural state to guide our campus design and planning.

“Port Harcourt’s tropical rainforest and indigenous plant species, lost through previous agricultural practices, are actively being reintroduced, whilst stormwater attenuation, vegetation, and fauna conservation direct our landscaping. Pedestrian, cyclist, and electric people-mover campus routes, along with forest walking/jogging/cycling trails, connect students to our surrounding environment, encouraging a lifelong love of nature,” it stated.

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The university will offer a diverse range of programmes across four major colleges – the College of Management and Social Sciences, the College of Art, the College of Science and Computing, and the College of Engineering.

Since the school mentioned that it would commence its first session in August, it has set off public debates among educational stakeholders, parents, and prospective students.

Many have said the university would only just be for the elite who could afford it but would not be made available to the children of the poor.

However, some others on the other side of the divide, have said quality education does not come cheap, adding that anyone who can not afford it should go to a school they can afford.

With the fees said to be as high as N12m per session, the university could become, undoubtedly, Nigeria’s most expensive university.

A check on the school’s website shows that the cheapest fee is the College is Arts which stands at N9.6m.

Students taking courses in the College of Engineering, College of Management and Social Sciences, and College of Science and Computing will pay a total fee of N11,998,800 each.

The fees cover tuition, books, laboratory supplies and consumables, personal protective equipment, project lab resources, e-learning resources, health insurance, student membership in professional associations, student activities, and facilities maintenance.

There are also additional charges covering accommodation fees which include the luxury single-bedroom apartment plan at N1,000,000 per month, premium one en-suite bedroom plan at N3,845,000 per session, classic one plan at N3,707,000 per session and classic two plan at N3,500,000 per session.

The management of the university, while defending its decision to charge in dollars, recently stated that home students would pay their fees in naira, while international students could select the dollar payment option.

It also said the decision was a strategic one that aligned with its vision to attract a diverse and international student body.

School’s defence

Defending the fees, the university said it was unwavering in its commitment to excellence in education and the shaping of future African leaders.

Wigwe varsity becomes most expensive Nigerian university, unseats Nile, Baze

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Education

Ghana Sweeps Top Three Positions in 2025 WASSCE, Outshining Nigeria, Others

Published

10 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Trends Admin

West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)

Ghana Sweeps Top Three Positions in 2025 WASSCE, Outshining Nigeria, Others

Ghanaian students have once again demonstrated outstanding academic excellence in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, claiming the top three ranks across the five participating countries. The achievement was highlighted during the 74th Annual Council Meeting of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), held from March 24 to 28, 2026, in Accra, Ghana.

Out of 2,612,830 candidates from Ghana, Nigeria, The Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, three students from Ghana recorded the highest cumulative scores, confirming the country’s leading position in regional education.

Miss Huda Suglo Suleman emerged as the overall best candidate in West Africa, also receiving the prestigious Augustus Bandele Oyediran Award for her top performance. She was closely followed by Miss Paula Adzo Elinam Sowu in second place and Miss Matthea Aba Andoh in third.

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Ghana’s Vice President, Jane Opoku-Agyemang, representing President John Dramani Mahama, praised WAEC for its 74 years of promoting educational standards and regional cooperation. However, she and other officials raised concerns about the rise in examination malpractice, which they warned could undermine the credibility of the council’s work.

During the meeting, Professor Ernest K. Davis, Ghana’s Chief Government Nominee, was elected Vice Chairman of WAEC for a one-year term, succeeding Liberia’s Amos Armah Fully. The council also honored Professor William Asomaning as a Distinguished Friend of the Council for his contributions to education in the region.

The Ghana Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, represented by Deputy Minister Dr. Clement Apaak, emphasized the role of WASSCE in building intellectual and practical skills for national development. He also confirmed Ghana’s return to the international WASSCE starting from the 2026 examination cycle.

The 2025 WASSCE results underscore Ghana’s dominance in regional academic performance, setting a benchmark for other countries, including Nigeria, which aims to improve its own outcomes in future exams. The 75th WAEC Annual Council Meeting is scheduled to be hosted by Nigeria in March 2027, continuing the rotational tradition among member states.

Ghana Sweeps Top Three Positions in 2025 WASSCE, Outshining Nigeria, Others

Education

Tinubu Govt Unveils National Laureate Prize to Reward Best Theses

Published

2 days ago

April 1, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigeria University students in lecture room

Tinubu Govt Unveils National Laureate Prize to Reward Best Theses

The Federal Government of Nigeria, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has launched the Nigeria National Laureate Annual Prize Programme, a landmark initiative designed to reward outstanding student research across tertiary institutions nationwide. The programme aims to elevate academic excellence, research innovation, and intellectual achievement to the forefront of national recognition.

According to a statement from the Federal Ministry of Education, students whose dissertations and theses demonstrate exceptional scholarly quality and commercial viability will receive significant cash prizes and national recognition. Winners will be celebrated as National Laureates, reflecting the country’s commitment to fostering research-driven development.

The awards are structured as follows:

Undergraduate dissertation winners: ₦5 million
Master’s thesis winners: ₦10 million
Doctoral (PhD) thesis winners: ₦20 million

Announcing the programme, Education Minister Tunji Alausa described it as a strategic national intervention aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s educational incentives. He stressed that the initiative underscores the importance of research as a driver of industrialisation and national development, ensuring that students’ academic efforts are matched with prestige and financial reward.

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“By elevating our students to the status of celebrated National Laureates, we are ensuring that the rigour of research and academic excellence is matched with the highest level of national prestige and financial reward,” Alausa said, adding that theses should be viewed as potential blueprints for national progress, not merely graduation requirements.

The programme will be fully financed by the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) and its strategic partners, ensuring sustainability without additional pressure on public funds. Oversight is provided by a 10-member National Laureate Prize Committee, chaired by Prof. Abubakar Sambo, with representatives from the Nigerian Academy of Sciences, Nigerian Academy of Letters, National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), TETFund, and other academic bodies.

The call for entries will commence in May 2026, with evaluations taking place between June and September, and winners to be honoured at the National Laureate Gala in Abuja in November 2026. The initiative also highlights sustainability and innovation, ensuring that research contributes meaningfully to Nigeria’s knowledge economy.

Officials say the programme encourages students to pursue groundbreaking research that can directly impact policy, technology, and industry, while boosting Nigeria’s global academic reputation.

Tinubu Govt Unveils National Laureate Prize to Reward Best Theses

Education

JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Mock Results, Delists Over 20 CBT Centres

Published

3 days ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Mock Results, Delists Over 20 CBT Centres

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 UTME Mock results, following the nationwide mock examination conducted on Saturday, March 28, 2026. The announcement was made on Tuesday by JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, providing candidates with guidance on how to check their results. According to the board, a total of 224,597 candidates registered for the mock UTME, with 152,586 candidates successfully sitting for the test across 989 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide. Candidates can check their scores by sending the keyword “MOCKRESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019 using the same SIM number used during UTME registration.

In a significant move to maintain exam integrity, JAMB also announced the delisting of over 20 CBT centres that faced operational challenges during the mock exam. The affected centres experienced server failures, power outages, and delayed test sessions, which disrupted the examination for many candidates. The board clarified that these centres will remain ineligible for future UTME exercises until they meet the required technical and infrastructure standards.

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JAMB further issued a stern warning against fraudsters claiming to manipulate mock or main UTME scores, particularly on messaging platforms like WhatsApp. The board emphasised that such claims are criminal, cautioning candidates that any involvement could result in cancellation of registration, withholding of results, or withdrawal of scores even after the main exam. Candidates were urged to rely solely on official communication channels for information regarding the UTME.

The main 2026 UTME is scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 16, 2026. JAMB encouraged candidates to use the mock results as an opportunity to assess their readiness, identify areas for improvement, and familiarise themselves with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) system. While mock scores do not contribute to final UTME results, they offer valuable insights for performance improvement and preparation ahead of the main examination.

JAMB continues to emphasise the importance of exam integrity, accurate registration details, and adherence to official guidelines to ensure a smooth, credible, and fair UTME process for all candidates.

JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Mock Results, Delists Over 20 CBT Centres