Education

EU-Funded Shs1.64Bn Project to Equip Over 3,000 Accounting Students in Uganda,Nigeria with Real-World Skills

Published

8 months ago

October 15, 2025

At least 3,000 students and academic staff across Uganda and Nigeria are set to benefit from the Developing Employability Skills in Accounting Education (DESIRED) project, a European Union-funded initiative aimed at ensuring accounting graduates are “work-ready” as they enter the labor market.

The project funded up to a tune of shs1.64billion( €400,000) was launched on Tuesday at MAT-Abacus Business School as part of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) Programme.

It brings together universities from Uganda, Nigeria, Portugal, and the Netherlands to integrate Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) into accounting education.

Speaking at the launch, Samuel Ssejjaaka, the project chair, highlighted the critical gap between university training and practical workplace demands.

“The idea is to ensure that when accountants finish their training, they have also acquired enough practical experience to take up jobs. We want them to be work-ready” he said.

He explained that the project will develop a framework for teaching students the real experience of the workplace.

“When we train students here, we train them on standards preparing books of accounts and so forth. But in the workplace, there are many other skills they are required to have, which are not necessarily part of the syllabus.”

Ssejjaaka also emphasized the impact of the project on employability rates among accounting graduates.

“With the funding we have received from the European Union, we can increase the employability of accountants. Right now, about 35% of graduates are not getting employed, and that all has to do with the issue of employability.”

The DESIRED Project will employ internships, case studies, and experiential learning to give students exposure to real workplace scenarios, decision-making, and practical skills.

Twaha Kawaase, a certified accountant and project partner, highlighted the international collaboration underpinning DESIRED.

“We are here to launch a project which brings together countries in Europe – Portugal, Netherlands – and countries in Africa – Uganda and Nigeria – to ensure that accountants coming out of universities are work-ready.”

Kawaase explained the importance of preparing graduates for a changing workplace shaped by technology.

“This is a century where we are talking about artificial intelligence, where machines are trying to replace human beings, but human beings are irreplaceable. Therefore, we need to ensure that accountants are relevant in terms of accounting skills, communication skills, and other soft skills required by employers.”

He also spoke about the role of competency-based training in Uganda and the project’s role in standardizing practical skills.

“Universities must be ready, the training must be ready, and institutions like MAT-Abacus and various universities must ensure that students coming out are competent to work as expected by employers.”

Ayeza Mutegeki, a student at MAT-ABACUS, welcomed the project, highlighting its potential impact on students’ careers.

“I think that it would be very beneficial to every single accounting student. Why? Because of the kind of benefits that it provides in that it integrates work and study.”

She pointed out a major challenge facing students today. “The most common problem we have among students is that we do not have jobs. And why do we not have these jobs? It is because we do not have the expertise.”

Ayeza emphasized how the program could bridge the gap between education and practical work experience.

“Yes, we have studied them. But the reality is that in the workplace, it is not exactly the same scenario. So I believe that this desired program will actually change the course of accounting students and furthermore enhance their education and work standards.”

The project consortium is led by MAT-Abacus Business School (Uganda) and includes Makerere University Business School (Uganda), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Nigeria), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (Nigeria), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Netherlands), and the University of Lisbon (Portugal). Key industry partners include the Uganda Chapter for Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives (UCCSRI) and Sejjaaka, Kaawaase & Co., Certified Public Accountants.

The DESIRED Project seeks to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills, strengthen university-industry linkages, and ultimately ensure that graduates are employable and ready to thrive in a competitive labor market.

Source: Nilepost

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Education

OAU has fulfilled founding fathers’ vision, says TETFund boss

Published

4 days ago

June 5, 2026

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The executive secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono, has said the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has lived to the ideals of its founding fathers, breeding experts in various fields of human endeavors.

Echono, while delivering a lecture to mark the 65th anniversary of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, also said investment in research and innovation systems will generate practical solutions suited to local realities.

The TETFUND boss, in the copy of the paper obtained in Osogbo on Friday, paid glowing tributes to the pioneer and successive Vice Chancellors of the university for sustaining the legacies of the university’s founding fathers.

“The Great Ife has remained a symbol of commitment and purposeful leadership. Expectedly, the university has lived to the ideals of its founding fathers as the breeding ground for erudite scholars, legal luminaries, successful businessmen, diplomats, accomplished technocrats and administrators, including its legion of Nigerian National Merit Award Winners, who are contributing to national development, and have continued to uphold the reputation of the university,” he said.

Speaking on the concept of research and innovation, Echono noted that research and innovation remain key drivers of national development, saying nations that have achieved sustained economic growth and technological advancement have done so through deliberate investment in knowledge generation, scientific inquiry, and practical innovation.

He added that in present day global economy, development does not depend on natural resources, but on the capacity to create, apply, and commercialize knowledge.

“Research and innovation remain key drivers of national development. Nations that have achieved sustained economic growth and technological advancement have done so through deliberate investment in knowledge generation, scientific inquiry, and practical innovation.

“In today’s global economy, development does not depend on natural resources but on the capacity to create, apply, and commercialize knowledge. Nigeria’s developmental challenges, though significant, also present opportunities for innovation-driven transformation.

“Addressing issues such as unemployment, insecurity, hunger, healthcare limitations, industrial underdevelopment, and technological dependence requires sustained investment in research and innovation systems that generate practical solutions suited to local realities,” Echono said.

Commending President Bola Tinubu for focusing on research and innovation that can provide solutions to challenges peculiar to the country and her people, Echono also stressed that building a fully functional and innovation-driven economy requires deliberate efforts to address issues of funding constraints, insufficient infrastructure, inadequate motivation, limited academia-industry collaboration, and challenges in commercialising research outputs.

He emphasised that the role of TETFund in enhancing the capacity of tertiary institutions in the country for research and development through its interventions activities has become increasingly strategic for strengthening Nigeria’s research and innovation ecosystem.

He further said that by supporting research funding, academic capacity development, innovation hubs, commercialisation initiatives, and entrepreneurship programmes, TETFund has been repositioning institutions in the country as active contributors to national development.

He declared that Nigeria’s “Sustainable development largely depends on how effective we are at leveraging knowledge, innovation, and technology to grow national economy, expand opportunities, create jobs and wealth, develop new products and services and improve the well-being of its people. This is essential for national growth, competitiveness, and long-term stability.”

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Simeon Bamire, said the institution has been recording steady growth since it’s establishment about 65 years ago and commanded the sacrifices and commitment of staff members and students towards sustaining legacies of excellence OAU is reputed for.

The PUNCH reports that Bamire announced plans to unveil the N10bn President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Centre of Excellence in Intercultural Dialogue and Youth Empowerment on June 8 as part of activities marking the institution’s 65th anniversary.

Bamire said the centre was designed to serve as a platform for research, dialogue, leadership development, innovation and youth empowerment.

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Education

UNIPORT names ex-Rivers health commissioner new vice-chancellor

Published

4 days ago

June 5, 2026

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The University of Port Harcourt has approved the appointment of Professor Princewill Chike as the 10th Vice Chancellor of the institution.

Chike was the Rivers State Commissioner for Health during the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike.

He will succeed the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, whose tenure will elapse on July 13.

Georgewill, who is the 9th VC of UNIPORT, will preside over his last convocation ceremony scheduled for Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6, 2026.

The university, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, said Chike’s appointment was approved by the institution’s governing council following a selection process.

The statement titled ‘University of Port Harcourt Appoints Professor Princewill R. Chike as 10th Vice-Chancellor was signed by the Public Relations Officer of UNIPORT, Dr Sam Kpenu.

The statement reads, “The Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt has approved the appointment of Professor Princewill R. Chike as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University.

“The appointment was made by the 17th Governing Council following the successful conclusion of the selection process.

“The process was conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act and the University of Port Harcourt Act.

“It involved the constitution of a Search Team and a Joint Council-Senate Selection Board, which carried out their responsibilities in accordance with the extant laws and regulations governing the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in Nigerian universities.

“The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, congratulated Professor Chike on his appointment and expressed confidence in his ability to provide visionary leadership for the continued growth and development of the university.

“Professor Princewill R. Chike is expected to formally assume office as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt on 13 July 2026.”

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Education

ASUP gives 21-day ultimatum to poly over poor welfare

Published

6 days ago

June 3, 2026

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The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Federal Polytechnic Ngodo-Isuochi chapter, Abia State, has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the institution’s management over alleged non-implementation of staff welfare demands and breach of statutory obligations.

The ultimatum was contained in a letter addressed to the Rector Dr. Pdi Ndubuisi, dated May 26, 2026, which was jointly signed by the ASUP chairman in the institution, Mr Ador Osundu; and secretary, Mr Onyeneke Arrhenius.

In the letter sighted on Monday, the union’s executive stated that repeated efforts through dialogue, congresses, and official correspondence to draw the attention of the institution’s management had failed to yield action, creating “industrial tension, eroding trust, and threatening the stability of the institution”.

ASUP warned that failure to resolve the issues within 21 days would compel it to activate “all lawful trade union mechanisms, including industrial action”.

The body added that the ultimatum, adopted at the union’s congress on May 22, 2026, takes effect from the date of receipt of the letter (May 26).

ASUP listed six unresolved issues, citing violations of Nigerian labour, health, and anti-corruption laws.

The union accused management of failing to invite the National Housing Fund (NHF) officials for staff sensitisation and enrolment in violation of the National Housing Fund Act, which mandates employer cooperation in deductions and remittances.

Management was also faulted for not facilitating the National Health Insurance (NHIA) enrolment for staff, denying access to affordable healthcare guaranteed under the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 and the National Health Act 2014.

ASUP equally raised concerns over alleged diversion of funds approved for a borehole project into a personal account.

“We call for an independent audit of the project fund, failure to do that will force us to petition the Independent Corrupt Practice Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” the lecturers stated.

The union decried what it called a chronic shortage of essential drugs and medical supplies at the health centre, describing it as a failure of the institution’s duty of care. It demanded immediate restocking and engagement of competent medical personnel.

The union expressed dissatisfaction over management’s failure to remit deducted check-off dues from February 2026 till date, calling it a violation of the Trade Unions Act and Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution.

“The union remains open to negotiation until the ultimatum expires, should management invite its leadership for talks.

“As we await management’s action, ASUP reaffirms its commitment to industrial peace, staff welfare, and institutional progress,” the letter stated.

When contacted the Public Relations Officer of the Polytechnic Dr Mrs Anukaenyi Blessing, said she cannot comment on the petition because she is not a member of the management board of Institutions.

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