Education

ASUU mobilises chapters for Oct 13 warning strike

Published

10 months ago

October 7, 2025

Barring any last-minute change, the Academic Staff Union of Universities will on Monday, October 13, 2025, commence a two-week nationwide warning strike to press home its demands from the Federal Government.

This was contained in a memo tagged “Strike Bulletin One” sent to all branches and obtained by our correspondent on Monday in Abuja.

The planned strike follows a two-week ultimatum issued by the union last week, asking the Federal Government to address its unresolved issues, including the signing and implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.

In the fresh memo to branches, ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, lamented the government’s failure to provide any meaningful response to the union’s demands despite the ultimatum.

“The National Executive Council of our union, at its emergency meeting of 28 September, 2025, having evaluated the results of the referendum held across branches, resolved to give government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve the issues contained in the negotiated document transmitted to government since February, 2025,” Piwuna wrote.

“It was further resolved that the union will proceed on a two-week warning strike at the expiration of the ultimatum if government fails to take acceptable and satisfactory steps to address the lingering issues.

“The resolutions were immediately communicated to the Honourable Minister of Labour, the Honourable Minister of Education and the Nigeria Labour Congress. It is now one week since those resolutions were reached and communicated to the appropriate authorities.

“I regret to inform you that there is no meaningful development deserving any consideration to be reported.”

The ASUU president thanked members for their patience during what he described as “a tortuous negotiation” that has dragged on for more than eight years, urging them to remain united and resolute.

“As we enter the second and final week of the ultimatum, I thank you on behalf of NEC for the patience and understanding which you have demonstrated since the commencement of this tortuous negotiation that has unjustifiably lasted over eight years.

“The goal of our current action remains principally to compel the government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement document, among other demands.

“The days ahead call for mobilisation of every member of our union to ensure unity of purpose. No one should be left out of the struggle for our welfare, to stem the japa syndrome, and reposition the Nigerian university system for global competitiveness.

“We are strong when we organise, but weakened when we agonise! Our union has always acted in solidarity as a collective; this action will not be different.”

Piwuna instructed members to take directives only from their branch chairpersons, urging strict adherence to union channels.

“Members are to take instructions only from their chairpersons. When in doubt, members should consult their chairpersons, zonal coordinators, and attend congress meetings regularly for updates on further developments,” he said.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, said updates on the government’s response would be provided “when available.”

The union’s decision follows the National Executive Council meeting held on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, ASUU listed several unresolved issues that have been debated for months. These include the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, sustainable funding for university revitalisation, and addressing the victimisation of lecturers in some federal universities.

Other demands are the payment of outstanding 25–35 per cent salary arrears, the resolution of promotion arrears lingering for over four years, and the settlement of third-party deduction issues.

“ASUU, as a union, believes that the government has the muscle to avert this looming strike,” the communiqué stated.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Academic Technologists also on Monday a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over the non-implementation of key resolutions reached with the union.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council meeting held on October 4, 2025, at the Federal University, Lafia, the union expressed displeasure over the failure of the Ministry of Education, led by Dr Tunji Alausa, to convene meetings and address lingering issues affecting its members.

The communiqué, signed by NAAT’s National President, Ibeji Nwokoma, noted that the NEC reviewed the progress made following the conciliation meeting convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment on July 30, 2025, where a Memorandum of Understanding was signed, and another meeting held by the Minister of Education on September 11, 2025.

“The issues in contention include the non-completion of the FGN/NAAT 2009 Agreement renegotiation, which seeks to review the existing salaries, allowances, and other conditions of service in the Nigerian university system. Only the inaugural meeting was held between the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed-led renegotiation committee and NAAT on December 10, 2024. It is therefore worrisome to hear that a report has been submitted to the Federal Government without proper consultation with the union,” the communiqué read.

It added that the union was also concerned about the non-mainstreaming of earned allowances into the salaries of academic technologists to prevent the further accumulation of arrears, the non-release of the enabling circular for CONTISS 14 and 15 to allow members reach the peak of their careers, and the recent delays in the payment of monthly salaries, which have caused severe hardship for members amid the current economic realities.

“Consequent upon the above, the union hereby issues a 14-day ultimatum to the government to address these demands. While NAAT remains open to dialogue, failure to act within the stipulated period will leave the union with no option but to declare an industrial action to press home its demands,” the statement added.

NAAT had earlier demanded the mainstreaming of members’ allowances, the release of N50 billion to settle outstanding earned allowances, and the completion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement. The union also called for the implementation of the consequential adjustment of the new national minimum wage, payment of three and a half months of withheld salaries, release of third-party deductions for the two months of salaries recently paid, and the settlement of seven and eleven months of arrears of occupational hazard and responsibility allowances, respectively.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 629

Education

CBT best way to curb ‘miracle centres’, examination malpractice — WAEC official

Published

8 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The West African Examination Council, has called for “strict computer-based testing to curb examination malpractice in some centres,” popularly known as “miracle centres.”

An official with WAEC office in Makurdi, Timothy Manga gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, on the growing concerns over examination malpractice and its impact on the credibility of public examinations and educational certificates.

NAN on Monday reported that Manga said allegations of the existence of “miracle” examination centres in Benue had become worrisome, though there had not been any official confirmation of the existence of such centres in the state.

In Nigerian education context, PUNCH Online reports that a “miracle centre” is an examination centre where organised examination malpractice is allegedly facilitated, allowing candidates to obtain unauthorised assistance or answers during exams.

He described the development as a threat to the education system, saying schools should be known for quality teaching rather than their ability to facilitate examination malpractice.

“Any system that rewards students for cheating undermines those who have worked hard to prepare for examinations.

“We need an examination system where success is determined by knowledge, preparation, and competence, not by the ability to access assistance during examinations.

” Though WAEC has not gotten any information on any school being a “miracle centre”, we would continue to put our ears to the ground in case we hear of any that we can set an example with,” he said.

Mrs Rebecca Ezekiel, a teacher with NKST Secondary School Makurd, however, said the establishment of independent examination centres could reduce the influence of schools and teachers over examinations such as WAEC and the National Examination Council (NECO).

Ezekiel said the CBT would enable examination bodies to exercise greater control over examination venues, personnel, and security arrangements.

“Candidates should be examined under conditions that are independent of the schools where they receive instructions,” she said.

The teacher also recommended the deployment of biometric verification, Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, and other technologies to strengthen examination monitoring.

However, Mr Jude Odeh, a school proprietor in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA), said admitting sudents in final year in secondary schools did not qualify a school to be labelled as a “miracle” examination centre.

Odeh said he had heard allegations about the existence of such centres in the state but was yet to identify any specific school operating as a miracle examination centre.

He said some parents changed their children’s schools for various reasons such as the high cost of examination registration, school fees, and others.

According to him, some schools charge examination fees arbitrarily, and when combined with school fees, the total cost becomes too high for some parents to bear.

Odeh, however, said he knew some schools in Benue that did not admit new students into SS3, insisting that only students promoted from SS2 were registered for external examinations.
(NAN)

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 16

Education

Lagos law student dies after jumping from four-storey building

Published

8 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the death of a 23-year-old student of the Nigerian Law School, Faith Alayande, who reportedly died after allegedly jumping from the rooftop of a four-storey hostel building at the institution’s campus in Victoria Island, Lagos.

PUNCH Metro learnt in a telephone conversation with the command’s Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, that the incident was reported to the police after the deceased was found unresponsive in the hostel premises on Friday.

Adebisi noted that the matron of the institution reported the matter and disclosed that another student and a relative reportedly found a suicide note written by the deceased student, prompting them to search for her.

She noted that before they could locate her, she had allegedly jumped from the rooftop of the four-storey hostel building.

She said, “I can confirm the incident. The deceased reportedly wrote a suicide note and, before her hostel mate and a relative could locate her, she jumped from the rooftop of a four-storey building.

“The matron of the hostel reported the incident, prompting police operatives to visit the scene. Her body has been evacuated to a morgue for preservation.”

Also, a security analyst, Zagazola Makama, who shared details about the incident on X, disclosed that the deceased was found dead within the hostel premises on Friday by another student, who alerted the matron of the institution.

According to Makama, the Chief Matron of the Law School was said to have reported the incident at the Victoria Island Police Division at about 6:30am.

Makama noted that, upon receiving the report, the matron proceeded to the scene, where the deceased was found lying on the ground within the hostel premises.

Makama wrote, “A 23-year-old student of the Nigerian Law School has died in a suspected suicide incident at the school’s hostel in Victoria Island, Lagos.

“The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, August 7, 2026, when the deceased, identified as Alayande Faith Ajoke, was found dead within the hostel premises.

“The Chief Matron of the Law School, Mrs Igbokwe Juliana, reported the incident at about 6:30am. Preliminary observations indicated that the deceased may have jumped from the rooftop of the four-storey hostel building.”

Meanwhile, the PPRO concluded that an investigation was ongoing into the incident.

This is not the first reported case of a Nigerian Law School student dying by suicide.

PUNCH Metro reported in December 2025 that a Nigerian Law School student, Ayomiposi Ojajuni, reportedly died by suicide after he was allegedly barred from writing the Bar Final examinations at the Yola campus in Adamawa State.

Ojajuni, a graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, was said to have received a series of queries from the school authorities and later discovered that he would not be allowed to sit for the professional examinations.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 29

Education

Canada updates Visa processing times for Nigerians as study permit wait rises

Published

2 days ago

August 8, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerians applying to study or travel to Canada are facing longer estimated processing times following the latest temporary residence update released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The immigration department updated its processing-time estimates on August 5, 2026, with the latest figures showing increases across several temporary residence categories. For Nigerian applicants, the estimated processing time for study permits increased from six weeks to seven weeks between July 28 and August 5.

The wait for Canadian visitor visas also increased, rising from 64 days to 68 days. However, the estimated processing time for Nigerians applying for a work permit remained unchanged at seven weeks. There was also a slight increase in the estimated processing time for super visa applications from Nigeria, which rose from 41 days to 43 days.

With these latest figures, Nigerian applicants should now expect an estimated wait of seven weeks for a work permit, seven weeks for a study permit, 68 days for a visitor visa, and 43 days for a super visa.

The changes in Canada’s latest update were not limited to Nigerian applicants. Work permit processing for applicants from Pakistan recorded one of the biggest increases, jumping from 11 weeks to 25 weeks, a rise of 14 weeks.

Study permit processing for applicants from the Philippines also increased by one week, while super visa processing for applicants from the Philippines rose from 73 days to 100 days. Some applicants, however, saw their estimated waiting periods fall.

The biggest reduction among the featured categories was recorded for super visa applications from Pakistan, which dropped from 196 days to 185 days.

IRCC’s processing times are estimates and do not represent a guaranteed date for when an application will be completed. The actual time required to process an application can vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the case, the volume of applications awaiting processing, available resources, and whether immigration officials require additional information or documents.

The Canadian immigration department updates temporary residence processing times weekly, meaning the estimates for Nigerian applicants could change again in the next update, which is expected around August 12, 2026.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 26