Tag: Universities

FG unveils ₦48bn engineering boost for 12 universities

Aminu Imam
FG unveils boost 4 universities

The Federal Government has approved ₦4 billion each for 12 selected universities of engineering and technology to rehabilitate workshops and procure modern equipment, in a major push to strengthen practical training in tertiary institutions. Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the intervention yesterday in Abuja  during the inauguration of the Implementation Committee on TETFund Special High-Impact Intervention Projects. The initiative, to be implemented through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), is aimed at upgrading engineering and technology faculties in Federal Universities of Technology and conventional universities nationwide. The universities selected…

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FG releases ₦2.3bn to clear Universities unions’ salary arrears

Aminu Imam
FG salary arrears

The Federal Government said it has released about ₦2.3 billion to pay arrears and backlogs of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU), and other university-based unions. According to an issued statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, on Wednesday, the funds were released through the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. “A total of ₦2.311 billion, representing Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears, has been released through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to universities. Benefiting institutions should begin…

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Tinubu appoints Governing Councils for 3 federal varsities

Aminu Imam
Tinubu appoints

Two months after sacking the Governing Council of the University of Abuja, President Bola Tinubu has appointed new council for the university, alongside the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Recall that in February, Tinubu dissolved the Governing Council of the University of Abuja and sacked the university’s vice-chancellor, A’isha Maikuɗi, amid controversy over her eligibility. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the latest development in a statement yesterday, titled: ‘President Tinubu appoints new Governing Council members for three federal universities.’…

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Tinubu reshuffles leadership at UniAbuja, UNN, other federal universities

Aminu Imam
Tinubu reshuffles

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced major leadership changes in several federal universities, including the University of Abuja, which has been renamed Yakubu Gowon University. As part of the restructuring, Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi has been removed as Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University. -Professor Lar Patricia Manko has been appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor for six months, but she will not be eligible for the permanent role. “Senator Lanre Tejuoso is now Pro-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, while Senator Joy Emordi takes over as Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education. At…

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2025 Budget: NASS members allegedly  demand ₦480m from universities before approval 

Aminu Imam
NASS members on universities

An investigation has uncovered a bribery scheme involving Nigerian lawmakers allegedly demanding N8 million each from 60 federal universities to approve their 2025 Budget allocations.  According to the published investigative report, the extortion, coordinated by the Senate and House committees on tertiary education, involves threats of probes against non-compliant vice-chancellors. It said several University Heads have expressed frustration over the lawmakers’ aggressive tactics and escalating demands. This comes amidst chronic underfunding of Nigerian universities, with institutions struggling to maintain operations due to insufficient government support. The report revealed that lawmakers…

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Tinubu orders review of Governing Board days after ASUUs rejection

Aminu Imam
Tinubu orders

President Bola Tinubu has directed a total and comprehensive review of the recently announced Governing Boards of tertiary institutions in Nigeria before the inauguration and retreat being planned for the nominees. Recall that the Ministry of Education had on Saturday released a list of Governing Councils for 111 federal tertiary institutions in the country. In a statement issued yesterday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu said the review is necessary because of the public reaction trailing the constitution of the Boards by the Ministry…

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Tinubu appoints GoverningBoard members for 111 tertiary institutions

Aminu Imam
Tinubu appoints

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointments of at least 555 persons to serve as Pro-chancellors/Chairmen and members of Governing Boards of 111 Federal Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education. This followed Tinubus assent to a list of nominees selected by the Ministry of Education. An advertorial by the Education Ministry showed the appointment of a chairperson and four members for each of the institutions. It was signed by the Ministrys Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack. The inauguration and retreat for the Governing Councils will take place on Thursday,…

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Activities grounded, as University unions begin strike

Aminu Imam

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have declared a 7-day warning strike over the Federal Governments delay to pay their salaries. The decision to embark on a warning strike was part of the resolution of the joint action committee of the two unions, after a meeting held at the weekend in Akure, Ondo State. President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed this while reading the communiqu of the meeting to newsmen in Abuja yesterday. According to him, the demand for the payment of…

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University girls&the bitter truth

Aminu Imam

Fatima Dauda Kurfi Universities have traditionally been regarded as institutions where students acquire intellectual, moral, and character development, along with knowledge and various skills. However, in Nigeria, this longstanding tradition appears to be facing challenges. Students seem to have adopted a different agenda, with a preference for cheating in examinations rather than dedicating time to study. Additionally, there is a disturbing trend of involvement in illicit activities such as cultism, fashion, prostitution, night-clubbing, and watching pornography. Unfortunately, some female students view these activities as a means of livelihood. Aristo contends…

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FG commences 40% revenue deduction from varsities

Aminu Imam

In a move to secure autonomy for all Nigerian institutions, the Federal Government has commenced the implementation of a 40 percent deduction of Internally Generated Revenues (IGRs) of Federal Universities and other partially funded institutions across the country. It was gathered that the auto-deduction policy of gross IGR is in line with the Finance Circular, dated December 20, 2021, whereas the circular limits the annual budgetary expenditure from IGR of the partially funded federal government. This was contained in a letter dated October 17, 2023, and titled: Implementation of 40%…

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