Education
FG releases N2.3b to clear arrears, backlogs owed ASUU, others
 
																								
												
												
											Relief is underway for Nigeria’s public universities as the Federal Government has announced the release of N2.3 billion to settle arrears and backlogs owed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university-based unions.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, on Wednesday, the funds were released through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).
The ministry confirmed that the payment represents Batch 8 of salary and promotion arrears due to university staff.
“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 to receive payment alerts anytime from now,” the statement read.
The ministry added that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, is finalising arrangements to release third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to the Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO).
The process, it said, is expected to be completed within the coming days.
Providing additional clarification, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, reaffirmed that President Bola Tinubu remains steadfast in his resolve to settle inherited obligations and improve the welfare of staff across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
He said the latest release is part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to address longstanding financial and welfare issues through a transparent and sustainable approach.
Dr Alausa explained that the Tinubu administration had resolved to clear all inherited backlogs of arrears and ensure the welfare of academic and non-academic staff is prioritised as part of its education sector reforms.
He disclosed that the government has approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into university salaries beginning from 2026.
This adjustment, he noted, will ensure predictable, prompt, and sustainable payments for academic staff going forward.
The minister also confirmed that funds have been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities initiative, with corresponding budgetary provisions now in place to sustain the intervention.
The programme, he said, remains a key component of the administration’s effort to improve infrastructure, research capacity, and the overall learning environment in higher institutions.
“These measures demonstrate the government’s strong commitment to improving academic staff welfare and addressing long-standing challenges that have persisted for decades,” Dr Alausa said.
“Within the last twenty-six months, the Federal Government has paid a significant portion of outstanding obligations while maintaining open communication with all academic and non-academic unions of tertiary institutions.”
He assured that the Ministry of Education continues to engage with university unions in good faith, emphasising that such engagements are grounded in transparency, accountability, and respect for due process.
“The Federal Ministry of Education assures that these engagements are being conducted truthfully and in good faith.
However, while the government remains committed to improving staff welfare, it will only enter into agreements that are realistic and financially sustainable,” the minister stated.
Dr Alausa disclosed that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee continues to play a critical role as a bridge between the Federal Government and tertiary institution unions, ensuring that all outstanding welfare-related issues are addressed through constructive dialogue.
“Negotiations are being conducted sincerely, mutually, and respectfully,” he added.
Reiterating the administration’s fiscal discipline, Dr Alausa stated that the government will not engage in unsustainable financial commitments that could undermine national stability.
“Our priority is to ensure that all matters are addressed responsibly and in the best interest of our education system,” he said.
“All commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions to guarantee long-term stability.”
The minister commended President Tinubu for his dedication to repositioning Nigeria’s education sector, noting that several structural and financial challenges that had lingered for decades are now being addressed under the current administration.
He said the President’s commitment to accountability, education funding reform, and improved staff welfare underscores a broader national effort to restore credibility and functionality to the university system.
Dr Alausa expressed confidence that the ongoing fiscal interventions and reforms will foster lasting industrial harmony, restore trust between the government and university unions, and strengthen Nigeria’s tertiary education institutions as engines of national development.
A statement signed by Folasade Boriowo, Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education on October 29, 2025, added that the education ministry will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and relevant unions to ensure that the disbursed funds reach the intended beneficiaries without delay.
The Federal Government, he said, remains focused on creating an enabling environment where universities can operate efficiently and competitively while upholding accountability and sustainability in public expenditure.
The statement reiterated that the Tinubu administration views education as a cornerstone of national development and will continue to prioritise initiatives that promote equity, access, and excellence in higher learning.
The government also assured that all measures being implemented are designed to achieve long-term stability and ensure that Nigeria’s universities are better equipped to fulfil their academic and developmental mandates.
Education
UNILAG bans skitmaking, content creation on campus
 
														The University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, has placed an official ban on skitmaking, content creation and other video recording activities within its campus and hostels without prior authorization.
The directive, announced in a statement signed by the institution’s Head of Communication, Mrs Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, follows growing concern over the increasing use of university facilities for unapproved video productions, including comedy skits, vox pops and film shoots.
“The attention of the University Management has been drawn to the rising use of the University premises, including hostels and other facilities, for shooting of films, videos, skits, and similar cinematographic activities without proper authorisation,” parts of the statement read.
According to UNILAG, the decision aims to safeguard the institution’s image, maintain decorum within the academic environment, and ensure that its premises are not misrepresented in online or public content.
The university emphasized that any individual, whether a student, staff member, or external party, must seek and obtain formal approval from the institution’s Communication Unit before carrying out any form of recording or production on campus.
While acknowledging the importance of creative expression and media engagement, UNILAG maintained that all such activities must comply with its established rules and procedures to preserve order and safety.
The statement also appealed to members of the university community and the general public to strictly adhere to the new directive “in the interest of order, safety, and collective responsibility”
Education
JAMB clears 85 underage candidates for exceptional admission
 
														The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has cleared the results of 85 underage candidates who scaled through its screening process for exceptional admission.
This was contained in a statement by the Board’s spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, on Monday in Abuja.
According to the statement, after due verification, interviews and screening, 85 candidates were found to have met the criteria and have consequently been cleared for admission.
Benjamin said 85 candidates who are judged to be qualified have been notified to proceed to their respective institutions to complete the admission process and print their individual JAMB admission letters.
The Board’s mouthpiece maintained that the policy of exceptional admission is consistent with global best practices, where such cases are treated as rare exceptions rather than the norm.
”It is to be noted that in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), of the 2,031,133 applicants, a total of 41,027 candidates sought consideration under this special category, of which 599 scored the 80% threshold in the UTME.
”These 599 candidates were subjected to further scrutiny of school certificate and PUTME screening, which led to the emergence of 182 candidates (178+4).
”After due verification, interviews, and screening, 85 candidates were found to have met the criteria and have consequently been cleared for admission,” the statement read.
The tertiary institution exam body also urged candidates who missed the screening to contact it for further adivice.
“Any of the 182 finalist-candidates who missed the final interview for a valid reason are advised to submit a formal request through the JAMB Support Ticketing System under the newly created category titled “2025 Underage Complaint.”
”Such complaints will be reviewed individually, and decisions will be made strictly on their own merit. This window is for only the 182 finalists who might for one reason or another, have missed the final interview.
“In addition, candidates who scored 320 and above in UTME but failed to upload O-Level results and were subsequently disqualified from proceeding are now given a chance to upload within two (2) days (i.e. not later than Wednesday, 29th October, 2025) and notify the Board of such through the ticketing,” it added.
Education
NECO opens diaspora exam centre for Nigerians in UK
 
														The National Examinations Council has launched a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom, as part of a wider move to make its services accessible to Nigerians living in the diaspora.
The centre was unveiled during the Education Matters Conference UK 2025, where NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Wushishi.
According to a Sunday statement signed by Azeez Sani, NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Wushishi described the development as a landmark step in expanding Nigeria’s educational reach beyond.
Speaking during the event, Wushishi expressed that the new centre was created in partnership with Barnfield Education Ltd to give Nigerian students and adult learners in the UK an opportunity to complete their secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.
“The initiative aims to provide opportunities for Nigerian students and adult learners in the UK who, for various reasons, have been unable to complete secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.
“Our objective is to provide credible and accessible examination opportunities for Nigerians residing abroad in line with the Federal Government’s education policy on inclusivity and global engagement,” Wushishi said.
He explained that the new Senior School Certificate Examination centre would serve as a bridge for Nigerians abroad to stay connected to their country’s educational system while promoting national identity and global recognition of NECO certificates.
Wushishi stated that the Council now conducts examinations in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, while plans are underway to open additional centres in Egypt and Burkina Faso.
He added that NECO certificates are already recognised by universities such as Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University in the UK, as well as by institutions in the United States, Canada, India, China, and Russia.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, praised NECO for taking what he called a “bold and inclusive step” to ensure that no Nigerian child is left behind, whether at home or abroad.
He said the initiative aligns with the Federal Ministry of Education’s efforts to harness the potential of the Nigerian diaspora as a strategic educational resource.
Also speaking, the Director of BEP Education and NECO’s UK partner, Dr John Ibanga, said the centre would serve as an alternative route for Nigerian students struggling to fit into the British education system, especially those unable to obtain the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).
“Many Nigerian children encounter barriers in the UK system that limit their progression. This new NECO SSCE Centre provides a recognised alternative for both young learners and adults seeking academic or vocational advancement,” he said.
During a courtesy visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London, Prof. Wushishi briefed officials on the centre’s establishment and accreditation process. He emphasised that the United Kingdom remains a key location for expanding educational access to Nigerians abroad.
Responding, the Head of Political Affairs at the Nigerian High Commission, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, commended NECO for what he described as a “timely and commendable effort” that reflects Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive education and diaspora engagement.
“The Mission will collaborate with NECO to advance Nigeria’s educational and developmental objectives in the United Kingdom,” Abu-Obe said.
The new London centre is expected to begin full operations soon, offering Nigerian students and adult learners in the UK an opportunity to obtain a qualification recognised both locally and internationally.
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