Education

FG begins disbursement of tertiary institution staff support fund

Published

2 months ago

October 31, 2025

The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of funds under the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund designed to strengthen staff welfare, institutional productivity, and innovation across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

This is contained in a statement made in Abuja on Thursday by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Folasade Boriowo.

Boriowo, while quoting the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, on the milestone, said the welfare was an initiative of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Alausa said the programme had transitioned from planning to full implementation, with more than 9,000 staff of tertiary institutions receiving payments in the first year.

This, he said represented 28 per cent of the 33,000 verified applicants drawn from 219 Federal and State tertiary institutions across the federation.

Alausa said the first phase of disbursement covered both academic and non-academic personnel in a 30:70 ratio, reflecting the government’s inclusive approach to supporting all categories of staff in the nation’s higher education institutions.

“The President is delivering for our tertiary institutions- for welfare, for productivity, and for the future.

“Within just four months, payments have started going out. This is a President that delivers, and the Ministry of Education is profoundly grateful for his continuous support and commitment to staff welfare,” Alausa said.

Alausa emphasised that the initiative goes beyond financial assistance, describing it as an investment in the nation’s knowledge economy.

“This Fund is not merely about disbursement; it is about restoring dignity, rewarding dedication, and rebuilding the foundation of our knowledge economy,” he said.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to transparency, pledging quarterly financial reporting, institutional engagement, and robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure that all funds were effectively utilised and repaid to expand access for more beneficiaries in the future.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the initiative, launched in August 2025, following a high-level stakeholder engagement in July is a key component of the federal government’s Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative.

It is designed to enhance morale, performance, and institutional excellence within the tertiary education sector.

Under the scheme, eligible staff can access up to N10 million in concessionary zero-interest loans to tackle essential livelihood and productivity needs, including housing, healthcare, education, transportation, and small business ventures.

PUNCH Online on August 15, 2025 that the Federal Government launched the TISSF, a landmark welfare and empowerment initiative for academic and non-academic staff in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the fund as a direct response to the welfare and professional growth needs of the nation’s tertiary institution workforce.

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Education

Male student defeats female counterparts in Anambra cooking contest

Published

22 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

A male student, Master Ikechukwu Ifechukwu has emerged winner of a Cooking Competition Anambra State.

The emergence of Ifechukwu, a student of St Charles College, Onitsha, who represented Onitsha zone, came as a shock to many who were at the grand finale of the event held in Awka.

The participants were assessed based on proper hygiene, food taste, dishing and service manner.

They were given the opportunity to choose their recipe and several delicacies, and prepare them from start to finish within a time-lag of one hour, twenty minutes.

Ifechukwu defeated female contestants from schools in Aguata and Nnewi zones, who emerged 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Speaking during the event, the Anambra First Lady, Dr Soludo explained that the competition came as a way to correct an observed anomaly where young people are unable to prepare healthy meals.

Expressing delight at the outcome of the competition, she stressed the need for parents not to seclude any home chore for a particular sex, urging them to provide their children the same training and opportunity to ensure that they develop at an equal pace.

This, she noted, will also help them live independent lives without total dependence on others.

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Education

Tinubu renames Federal University of Medical Sciences Azare after Late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi

Published

23 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the renaming of the Federal University of Medical Science (FUMS), Azare, after the late renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, as part of efforts to preserve and immortalise his legacy.

The President made this known on Saturday during a condolence visit to the family of the late cleric in Bauchi State, describing his death as a “great national loss.”

It was reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Bauchi on Saturday to condole with the state government and the family of the late renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi.

Sheikh Dahiru, the spiritual leader of the Tijjaniyya Brotherhood in Nigeria, died on November 27 at the age of 98.

The President arrived at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport at about 4:10 p.m., where he was received with a Guard of Honour by the Nigerian Air Force.

Tinubu was accompanied by the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; his son, Seyi Tinubu; and other top government officials.

He was received at the airport by the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; and Senator Shehu Buba (APC, Bauchi South).

The President is expected to proceed to Lagos after the condolence visit to spend the end-of-year holidays.

Speaking at the late Sheikh Dahiru mosque, Tinubu said the decision to rename the university after the Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi was in recognition of the cleric’s lifelong contributions to education, religious scholarship, humility, and service to humanity.

He prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the soul of the late scholar asking that he be granted Jannatul Firdaus, while also seeking strength for the family, the Bauchi State Government, and the people of the state to bear the loss.

The President urged Nigerians to continue praying for peace and unity in the country, stressing the importance of collective resilience during challenging times.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who received the presidential delegation, appreciated President Tinubu for honouring the late cleric and Bauchi State through the retention and renaming of the institution.

Responding on behalf of the family, the eldest son of the late cleric, Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru Usman Bauchi, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the visit, prayers, and the decision to immortalise their father through the university.

He also thanked Governor Mohammed for his continued support to the family.

Recall Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi died at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, and was buried on Friday, November 28, in accordance with Islamic rites.

Born in 1927 in Gombe State, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi devoted his life to the advancement of Islamic education, promotion of peaceful coexistence and fostering of unity across the country.

His teachings, which emphasised moral discipline, tolerance and adherence to Islamic principles, earned him a large following and deep respect within and beyond Nigeria.

He also played a significant role in community development, mentorship of young scholars and the strengthening of religious understanding.

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Education

CSOs slam NASS over interference in JAMB, WAEC

Published

5 days ago

December 16, 2025

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A coalition of civil society organisations has expressed concern over what it described as legislative interference by members of the National Assembly in the affairs of examination bodies.

The organisations called for constructive, transparent and mutually respectful engagement between committees of the House of Representatives and Nigeria’s examination bodies, while stressing the need to preserve institutional independence within the education sector.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the Convener of the Social Transparency and Youth Leadership Advancement Initiative, Okpanachi Jacob, said the CSOs were offering general observations and recommendations aimed at strengthening governance, accountability and public confidence in educational institutions.

According to him, “interactions between lawmakers and examination bodies such as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, the West African Examinations Council, the National Examinations Council and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board should be guided by transparency, due process and mutual respect.”

Jacob said the organisations believe that “maintaining clear institutional boundaries and professional standards is essential to sustaining the credibility of examination processes nationwide.”

He clarified that the CSOs’ position was not based on any established wrongdoing or confirmed incidents, but rather on a broader commitment to promoting best practices in legislative oversight and public administration.

The coalition also underscored the importance of “clear internal procedures within legislative committees, particularly on administrative and operational matters, as part of efforts to enhance efficiency and public trust.”

In addition, the organisations encouraged “greater openness and clarity in governance processes, noting that transparency strengthens democratic institutions and fosters citizen confidence.”

They further urged the leadership of the House of Representatives, under the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, to continue supporting ethical standards, internal cohesion and strict adherence to rules governing legislative operations.

The coalition stressed that safeguarding the autonomy and credibility of Nigeria’s examination bodies is in the national interest and called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders in line with constitutional principles and democratic values.

Lawmakers overseeing examination bodies in Nigeria conduct quarterly hearings to review budget allocations, procurement processes and the integrity of national examinations. At a recent hearing, legislators grilled officials over alleged irregularities in test score releases and demanded stricter enforcement of anti-cheating measures to restore public confidence. The committees also mandated independent audits of the bodies’ financial statements.

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