Author: Vreporters

The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have unveiled a new renegotiated agreement aimed at resolving long-standing disputes that have repeatedly disrupted academic activities in Nigeria’s public universities.

The agreement, which was formally presented on Tuesday, is the outcome of years of negotiations to review the 2009 FG-ASUU agreement and address persistent issues bordering on lecturers’ welfare, university funding, autonomy and academic freedom.

Speaking at the unveiling, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the new deal represents a major step toward stabilising the nation’s university system and preventing the frequent strikes that have crippled academic calendars in the past. He noted that the agreement reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to dialogue and sustainable reforms in the education sector.

According to the minister, key components of the agreement include improved conditions of service for academic staff, enhanced funding mechanisms for universities, and clearer frameworks for earned academic allowances. He added that the deal also introduces a revised salary structure, including a proposed 40 per cent increase in lecturers’ remuneration, alongside improvements in research and academic support allowances.

Alausa credited President Bola Tinubu’s administration for prioritising education reforms and driving the negotiations to a logical conclusion, stressing that the government is determined to restore confidence in the public university system and curb the growing trend of brain drain.

ASUU representatives present at the event acknowledged the progress made, describing the agreement as a significant milestone after years of strained relations between the union and the government. They, however, emphasised the need for full and faithful implementation of all provisions to ensure lasting industrial peace.

The unveiling was attended by vice-chancellors of federal universities, top officials of the Ministry of Education and other key stakeholders, signalling broad institutional support for the agreement.

The development is expected to ease tensions in the university system and bring greater stability to academic activities nationwide, raising hopes among students and parents for uninterrupted learning in the coming years.

Punch Newspaper

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a comprehensive set of warnings to candidates participating in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) registration exercise, stressing strict compliance with biodata integrity, biometric capture and identity verification procedures.

In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Board cautioned candidates against making any attempt to alter their biodata after completing registration.

JAMB recalled that registration for the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry forms for both Nigerian and foreign applicants will commence on Monday, January 26, 2026, and close on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

According to the Board, once a candidate completes the 2026 registration using biodata supplied by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), no further changes will be entertained.

“Once a candidate completes 2026 registration with biodata supplied by NIMC, subsequent changes of biodata would not be effected by JAMB for the 2026 admission. No change will be tolerated,” the Board stated.

JAMB explained that updates from NIMC would only reflect under strict conditions, noting that changes in previous data would apply only if affected candidates go through a RE-QUERY process to retrieve updated records through TEMPL 007 during the 2026 registration.

On multiple registrations, the Board made it clear that candidates are not allowed to register more than once. It warned that any candidate who encounters an error during registration should seek correction through JAMB rather than obtain a fresh application, as duplication invalidates all applications.

The examination body also warned against the use of multiple identity records, stressing that the use of more than one National Identification Number (NIN) by a candidate for double registration, impersonation or identity manipulation is strictly prohibited and would attract severe sanctions.

Emphasising biometric integrity, JAMB advised candidates to ensure that only their own ten fingers are correctly captured individually at the CBT centres. It added that only candidates whose biometric verification is successful on the examination day would be allowed to sit for the UTME or Mock examination.

The Board further cautioned against third-party interference in candidates’ profiles, stating that parents, guardians or proxies are not permitted to transact any business on behalf of candidates.

“Any candidate who makes his password, profile code or other security codes available to another person is liable for any alteration done by such person(s),” the statement warned.

On disclosure of previous admissions, JAMB announced that candidates are now required to declare any prior admission or matriculation by indicating their previous UTME or DE registration details during registration. It stressed that false declaration or failure to disclose such information would automatically invalidate the candidate’s registration or previous admission.

JAMB reiterated that registration can only be carried out at approved centres nationwide, warning that candidates who register outside these centres do so at their own risk.

The Board also disclosed that all registration centres would be monitored live from its headquarters, adding that any centre whose activities are not visible would not be paid and such registrations may be invalidated.

JAMB urged prospective candidates to strictly adhere to the guidelines to avoid disqualification or loss of admission opportunities.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced a major funding boost for Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, with each university set to receive ₦2.525 billion under the 2026 intervention cycle.

Polytechnics will receive ₦1.871 billion each, while Colleges of Education are to get ₦2.056 billion apiece.

The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, made the disclosure on Tuesday at the 2026 Stakeholders’ Workshop held in Abuja, where allocation letters for the year’s interventions were formally presented to heads of beneficiary institutions.

Echono explained that the allocations represent about 90.75 per cent of available funds, comprising 50 per cent for annual direct disbursements and 43.75 per cent for special direct disbursements.

According to him, all universities—irrespective of age, size, or student enrolment—will receive exactly ₦2,525,932,228.02, while polytechnics and Colleges of Education will receive ₦1,871,059,920.53 and ₦2,056,527,973.04 respectively.

“These funds are meant to strengthen critical physical infrastructure, enhance academic programmes, boost research and innovation, and drive overall transformation in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector,” Echono said.

He also announced the introduction of a new intervention line under the 2026 annual direct intervention—the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN). The initiative is designed to improve access to global academic resources and integrate the Tertiary Education, Research, Applications and Services (TERAS) platform into NgREN.

“With these investments, 2026 promises to be a year of growth, innovation, and measurable impact,” he added.

Echono noted that TETFund will continue to prioritise the upgrading of research and development offices, laboratories, and workshops, while also strengthening student exposure programmes through partnerships with the private sector and completing long-abandoned projects.

He said research and innovation would remain central to the Fund’s agenda, with sustained support for the National Research Fund, the Research Meets Industry initiative, and the commercialisation of research outcomes. ICT development, he added, would also receive significant attention.

The TETFund boss further disclosed that several research laboratories are currently under development, with four expected to be completed this year and two more slated for completion next year. In the agricultural sector, he said large university farms are being converted into modern greenhouses and equipped with advanced tools to boost productivity.

Echono stressed the need for accountability, urging heads of institutions to ensure effective utilisation of their 2025 allocations.

“We are conducting assessments of how institutions use their resources, which will inform discretionary budget allocations. Performance will guide additional allocations,” he said.

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike following what it described as significant progress in negotiations with the Federal Government.

The decision was reached during an emergency virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) held on Saturday. According to NARD, the suspension followed high-level engagements and interventions that yielded assurances on several long-standing demands bordering on welfare, remuneration and working conditions of resident doctors.

NARD explained that the strike, earlier scheduled to commence on January 12, was put on hold to allow the government more time to consolidate on commitments already made. The association noted that discussions with relevant authorities were productive and reflected renewed seriousness toward resolving the issues at stake.

However, the doctors emphasised that the suspension is conditional, warning that failure by the government to fully implement agreed resolutions could trigger a resumption of industrial action. NARD said it would reconvene another meeting later in the month to assess the level of compliance and decide on its next line of action.

The planned strike had raised concerns across the country over potential disruptions to healthcare services, particularly in public hospitals. With the suspension, medical services are expected to continue uninterrupted for now, while negotiations remain ongoing.

NARD reaffirmed its commitment to constructive dialogue but maintained that it would not hesitate to take decisive action should the welfare of its members continue to be neglected.

The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are set to sign a landmark agreement aimed at ending years of protracted negotiations over the welfare of university lecturers and the funding of public universities.

According to the agreement, academic staff in federal universities will enjoy a 40 per cent increase in salaries, a move expected to ease the impact of inflation and improve staff morale across the university system. The pact also introduces improved pension conditions, including enhanced retirement benefits for professors and other senior academics.

The new deal is the outcome of the long-awaited renegotiation of the 2009 FG–ASUU Agreement, which has been at the centre of repeated industrial disputes and nationwide strikes that disrupted academic calendars for several years.

Beyond salaries and pensions, the agreement outlines reforms in university funding, with provisions for increased investment in research, laboratories, libraries, and staff development. A National Research Council is also expected to be established to strengthen research financing and innovation in the tertiary education sector.

The pact is scheduled to take effect from January 2026 and will be subject to periodic reviews. Stakeholders believe its successful implementation could usher in a new era of industrial harmony in Nigeria’s public universities and reduce the frequent strike actions that have affected students and parents nationwide.

Education stakeholders have described the development as a major step toward stabilising the university system, while urging the Federal Government to ensure full and timely implementation of all agreed terms to sustain peace in the sector.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has formally initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, outlining eight allegations of gross misconduct against him.

The lawmakers, acting under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, issued a notice announcing the commencement of the process and granted the governor and his deputy seven days to respond to the accusations.

According to the Assembly, the allegations border on financial impropriety, constitutional violations, and interference with legislative functions.

Among the claims is the alleged reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds without legislative approval, as well as the misappropriation of state resources.

The governor is also accused of obstructing the Rivers State House of Assembly from carrying out its constitutional duties, including making appointments without due legislative screening.

Further allegations include the withholding of salaries and entitlements of lawmakers, the seizure of the salary of the Clerk of the House, and the failure to implement constitutional provisions on financial autonomy for the legislature.

The Assembly also accused Governor Fubara of withholding funds meant for the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission, thereby crippling its operations.

The impeachment notice marks a significant escalation in the political crisis rocking the state, as the Assembly prepares to follow constitutional procedures should the governor fail to satisfactorily address the allegations within the stipulated timeframe.