With student populations surging across Nigerian tertiary institutions, the struggle for decent accommodation has become one of the biggest challenges facing students nationwide. From universities to polytechnics, thousands of students battle yearly for limited bed spaces, forcing many to seek costly alternatives outside school campuses.

At the University of Lagos (UNILAG), with a student population exceeding 40,000, available hostel spaces remain far below demand. Only about 8,000 bed spaces exist, leaving many students scrambling for accommodation.

The situation is similar at Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), where over 20,000 students compete for approximately 2,600 bed spaces. This year, the challenge became more difficult after one hostel containing around 1,000 bed spaces was shut down for renovation and upgrade works.

Across many Nigerian institutions, accommodation shortages continue to place pressure on students and parents alike. While private hostel developments have emerged around campuses, many students complain that rents remain beyond their reach.

To address the growing crisis, the Federal Government has launched an ambitious intervention programme through collaboration among the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Federal Ministry of Education, tertiary institutions, and private developers.

The initiative, expected to gulp about N250 billion this year alone, aims to deliver modern hostel facilities through partnerships designed to increase student housing capacity nationwide.

Speaking during groundbreaking ceremonies at Lagos State University (LASU) and Yabatech, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa explained that the projects would operate under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.

According to him, the government has earmarked N100 billion to build 500-bed student hostels across more than 50 tertiary institutions.

He also disclosed plans for 24 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) hostels with capacities ranging between 1,200 and 1,500 bed spaces in selected institutions across the country.

Under the arrangement, TETFund will contribute N1 billion while private investors provide N3 billion for each project, bringing total funding per development to N4 billion.

The minister stated that the PPP initiative alone represents approximately N96 billion in investments.

Beyond that, government plans include another N1 billion allocation for hostel projects expected to provide at least 300 bed spaces in an additional 24 institutions.

Combined together, Alausa said the projects amount to roughly N250 billion in investments dedicated to delivering modern accommodation facilities.

He said:

“We are spending about N250 billion in 2026 alone to deliver world-class, high-standard student hostels across federal and state tertiary institutions.”

The minister noted that the government intends to fast-track implementation so students can begin benefiting as quickly as possible.

According to him, PPP hostels are expected to be completed within 24 months, while several other projects have delivery timelines of less than one year.

He further revealed that hostel expansion forms part of a broader presidential education agenda executed through TETFund.

The agenda also includes:

• Rehabilitation of existing hostels
• Upgrading lecture theatres and classrooms
• Construction of new learning facilities
• Rehabilitation of engineering workshops

During the ceremony for LASU’s proposed 1,500-bed hostel project, Alausa stressed that the new facility would meet international standards while helping reduce accommodation shortages.

The Vice Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, welcomed the intervention and described it as timely.

She noted that despite the institution having more than 85,000 students, available accommodation only serves about 7,000 students.

According to her, the new hostel will significantly improve student welfare, campus safety, and social interaction.

Student leaders also praised the intervention.

Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council, Lagos Axis, Quadri Ishola Odewunmi, commended both the Education Minister and Yabatech management for taking steps to improve student accommodation.

He described the projects as a practical response to one of the most pressing issues affecting Nigerian students.

Odewunmi further urged the government to extend reforms beyond student welfare by improving conditions for lecturers and non-academic staff, stressing that educational development requires a comprehensive approach.

As institutions continue to expand admissions and student populations grow, stakeholders believe the success of these projects could provide lasting relief to one of Nigeria’s biggest tertiary education challenges.

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened a renewed confrontation with the Federal Government over what it describes as the flawed and partial implementation of the December 2025 agreement reached between both parties.

The union raised the alarm following its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, warning that unresolved issues could trigger a fresh wave of industrial action across Nigerian universities.

Speaking while presenting the communique in Abuja on Monday, ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, said growing frustration among academic staff over welfare concerns was reaching a critical point.

According to him, the situation reflects “government’s seeming disinterestedness in the welfare of Nigerian academics,” adding that continued delays in addressing outstanding demands could lead to renewed unrest in the tertiary education sector.

ASUU listed several unresolved issues, including the payment of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, promotion arrears, salary shortfalls linked to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), and unremitted third-party deductions.

The union also raised concerns over outstanding arrears of the 25–35 per cent wage award, which it said remain unpaid despite previous commitments by the government.

Piwuna warned that the cumulative effect of these unresolved matters has created what he described as “pent-up anger” among lecturers nationwide.

“The increasing frustration occasioned by the seeming government’s disinterestedness in the welfare of Nigerian academics is brewing a pent-up anger which could erupt into a new wave of industrial unrest if not addressed,” he said.

ASUU urged the Federal Government to fully implement the December 2025 agreement and urgently resolve all outstanding issues in the interest of students, parents and national development.

The union also appealed to well-meaning Nigerians and stakeholders in the education sector to intervene and pressure government authorities to act swiftly.

“Our union’s doors remain open for working with the government to realise all our demands,” Piwuna stated.

However, NEC directed that an emergency meeting be convened in the coming weeks to review developments and determine the next line of action if progress is not made.

The warning comes amid longstanding tensions between ASUU and the Federal Government over funding of public universities, salary structures and the implementation of previous agreements, issues that have repeatedly led to strikes in Nigeria’s higher education system.

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The Federal Government on Wednesday banned recipients of honorary degrees from prefixing “Dr” to their names in official, academic, or professional usage.

It declared that the use of the title by such recipients constitutes a misrepresentation of academic credentials and will henceforth be treated as academic fraud, attracting legal and reputational consequences.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while briefing State House correspondents on two Federal Executive Council approvals.

Alausa, who appeared alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Ahmad, said the FEC approved a uniform policy for the award and use of honorary degrees by Nigerian universities.

He explained that the policy aims to curb the abuse and politicisation of honorary degrees and restore public confidence in academic titles.

“The recent trend we’ve seen with the award of honorary degrees has revealed a growing abuse and politicisation of this academic privilege.

“We’ve seen awards being used for political patronage, for financial gain, as well as the conferral of awards on serving public officials, which, as part of the ethics of honorary degree awards, should not happen,” he said.

Under the new directive, recipients of honorary degrees must no longer use “Dr” before their names. Instead, they are required to include the full honorary designation after their names.

“For instance, you can use Chief Louis Clark, D.Lit. (Doctor of Literature, Honoris Causa) or Mrs Miriam Adamu, LL.D. Hons,” Alausa explained.

He stressed that this format clearly distinguishes honorary awards from earned academic qualifications.

“Recipients shall not prefix doctor to their names in official, academic or professional usage.

“Misrepresentation of honorary degrees as earned academic credentials shall be considered academic fraud and subject to legal and reputational consequences,” he added.

The policy also limits honorary degrees Nigerian universities can award to four categories: Doctor of Laws (LL.D), Doctor of Letters (D.Lit), Doctor of Science (D.Sc), and Doctor of Humanities (D.Arts).

It further prohibits universities without active PhD programmes from awarding honorary degrees.

Alausa said this measure is necessary to address the growing trend of newer institutions conferring honorary titles despite lacking postgraduate research capacity.

He added that all honorary degrees must clearly carry the words “honorary” or “Honoris Causa” on certificates and in official references.

The minister noted that concerns over the commercialisation and misuse of honorary degrees have persisted for years, with institutions often accused of awarding them based on political or financial considerations rather than merit.

He recalled that efforts to regulate the practice, including the Keffi Declaration of 2012 by the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, failed due to lack of legal backing.

“That is why we brought this to the Federal Executive Council, which now gives it legal and executive backing,” he said.

Alausa added that the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission will issue guidelines to universities and monitor compliance.

He said convocation ceremonies will be closely observed, while an annual list of legitimate honorary degree recipients will be published to safeguard the integrity of academic qualifications.

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities has announced a two-week warning strike across public universities, blaming the Federal Government’s failure to meet long-standing demands for the renewed industrial action.

The strike, scheduled to begin at midnight on Sunday, was confirmed in Abuja by the union’s National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum earlier issued to the government.

Piwuna said the warning strike became unavoidable after government officials failed to make tangible progress on key issues affecting the university system. He warned that the union would escalate the action to a total and indefinite strike if the situation remained unresolved after the two-week period.

According to him, the action is intended to draw attention to persistent delays in implementing agreements and addressing critical challenges facing public universities.

Among the unresolved issues listed by the union are the renegotiation and signing of the 2009 Federal Government–ASUU Agreement, payment of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, outstanding salary arrears of between 25 and 35 per cent, unpaid promotion arrears, and the release of withheld third-party deductions.

Other concerns include sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities, as well as alleged victimisation of lecturers in Lagos State University, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

Piwuna expressed disappointment with the outcome of a recent emergency meeting of the FGN–ASUU renegotiation committee held on October 10, describing documents presented by government representatives as inconsistent with previous agreements.

He added that repeated assurances from government officials, including correspondence from the Federal Ministry of Education dated September 30, had not translated into concrete action.

The union appealed to students, parents, and the general public for understanding, stating that its actions were aimed at safeguarding the future of Nigeria’s university system.

Meanwhile, the Congress of University Academics said its members would not participate in the strike. The union’s National President, Dr Niyi Sunmonu, said CONUA had no unresolved dispute with the government and had resolved to continue academic activities.

Sunmonu argued that repeated strikes had failed to deliver lasting solutions and had instead caused harm to students and the education system. He said CONUA would continue to engage government through dialogue and negotiation rather than industrial action.

The National Association of Nigerian Students has also called for a swift resolution of the dispute, urging all parties to prioritise stability in the university system.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has explained that the Federal Government introduced a Staff Loan Scheme for tertiary institutions to ease financial pressure on academic and non-academic workers and improve productivity across Nigeria’s higher education sector.

The President disclosed this at the 45th convocation ceremony of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where he was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad.

According to Tinubu, the loan scheme is part of broader welfare reforms aimed at creating a more supportive working environment for university staff, enabling them to concentrate on teaching, research and community service without the burden of personal financial stress.

He said the scheme was developed through the Federal Ministry of Education in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), which is providing the funds at zero interest, while the Federal Government covers the full cost of interest as part of its staff welfare obligations.

The President revealed that some beneficiaries had already accessed the loans since last year, adding that ₦40 billion has been set aside for disbursement in the current year. Individual beneficiaries are eligible to access loans ranging from ₦1 million to ₦10 million, depending on qualification and need.

He explained that the loans are repayable over five years, with a one-year moratorium, a structure designed to ensure affordability and long-term sustainability for beneficiaries.

Beyond staff welfare, Tinubu also addressed the challenge of electricity supply in Nigerian universities, commending the management of Ahmadu Bello University for reducing rising energy costs through effective conservation measures.

He urged the university to move beyond theoretical discussions by developing and implementing a comprehensive energy policy that delivers practical and sustainable solutions to power challenges on campus. According to him, such a policy could serve as a model for other tertiary institutions nationwide.

The President recalled that during the university’s 44th convocation, he had pledged deliberate federal intervention to address electricity shortages in universities. He said that promise was being fulfilled through the Energising Education Programme (EEP), jointly implemented by the Federal Government, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Federal Ministry of Education.

Under the programme, Tinubu said arrangements had been concluded to provide 24-hour electricity supply to all federal tertiary institutions. He noted that Phases I to III of the EEP have already delivered more than 100 megawatts of clean energy to 24 federal universities and their teaching hospitals.

He added that Ahmadu Bello University and several other institutions have been included in Phase IV of the project, which is expected to commence soon.

According to the President, the uninterrupted power supply will improve learning conditions, enhance research output, boost staff productivity and support innovation and entrepreneurship, ultimately contributing to national economic growth.

Addressing graduating students, Tinubu congratulated them on completing their studies and encouraged them to apply their knowledge productively while committing to lifelong learning. He emphasised the importance of job creation, rather than job seeking, noting that the university’s entrepreneurship initiatives were already helping students prepare for life after graduation.

He specifically referenced the Students Enterprise Competition organised by the university’s International Centre of Excellence for Rural Finance and Entrepreneurship, describing it as a practical step toward nurturing future entrepreneurs.

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The recent robbery at student hostels near Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where armed men attacked and injured students and stole valuables, has again exposed a serious security gap in Nigerian higher institutions. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident but part of a worrying trend across universities nationwide.

From Rivers State University to Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, students have faced robberies, assaults, and constant fear. Some now patrol their own lodges at night—evidence of a system failing to protect young Nigerians.

A major cause is inadequate hostel facilities on campuses. With universities like OAU, UNILAG, and UI struggling to house even half their student populations, thousands are forced into poorly secured off-campus areas with little lighting, no CCTV, and limited police presence.

To solve this, universities must partner with government and private developers to expand student housing and upgrade security infrastructure. Successful PPP projects, such as the 1,600-bed ABU hostel, show what is possible. Campuses need CCTV, strong lighting, trained security personnel, and organised patrols to protect students’ lives and property.

Students deserve safe accommodation not fear. Protecting them is not just a welfare duty but a national responsibility. A nation that fails to secure its learners jeopardises its future.

— Mohammed Yahaya, Mass Communication Department, University of Maiduguri

source: Dailytrust

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has identified 2,658 illegal admissions conducted by 17 tertiary institutions during the 2024/2025 academic session.

According to JAMB, the affected institutions bypassed the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), the official platform for regulating and validating all admission offers in Nigeria.

Data released by the board show that Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University recorded the highest number of irregular admissions with 1,847 cases, followed by Osun State University with 492.

Other schools implicated include Abubakar Tafari Ali Polytechnic, the University of Calabar, and Redeemer’s University.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, warned that institutions found guilty of such practices would face strict sanctions, including the withdrawal of accreditation and disciplinary action against involved officials.

JAMB reiterated that all admissions carried out outside the CAPS framework remain invalid and that affected students may lose eligibility for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a nationwide crackdown on fake academic credentials, mandating all ministries, agencies, and higher institutions to begin verifying staff qualifications through a new digital platform from October 6.

This follows a directive issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, as part of sweeping reforms to strengthen academic integrity.

Under the new rules, all credentials must be verified through the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS), a central component of the National Education Repository and Databank (NERD). Every verified certificate will carry a National Credential Number (NCN), making it digitally traceable and tamper-proof.

The reform aims to combat the rising trend of forged degrees, unearned honors, and certificates from unaccredited institutions. Going forward, no employment or academic recognition in Nigeria’s public or private sectors will be valid without NCVS clearance.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as a “systemic quality assurance tool” to restore trust in the education sector.

Haula Galadima, Executive Director for Communication and Cybersecurity at NERD, said the platform ensures all academic records are “identifiable, verifiable, and validatable,” and urged institutions to enroll their verification officers via ned.gov.ng/onboarding.

NERD is governed by a multi-agency council including the NUC, NBTE, NCCE, National Library, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission. It operates as a national standard for education data security and integrity.

This marks Nigeria’s most comprehensive response yet to academic fraud setting a new standard for transparency, compliance, and global recognition of Nigerian qualifications.

Source: Vanguard
By: John Alechenu

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Nigerian university professors are among the worst paid in Africa, earning an average of $366 (about N500,000) monthly — far below counterparts in South Africa ($57,471 annually), Uganda ($50,595), and Kenya ($48,000). Even countries with smaller economies such as Eswatini, Lesotho, and Sierra Leone pay significantly higher wages.

Lecturers say the poor pay has worsened morale and triggered mass exits. “I opted to forego a Nigerian salary and be paid by the funder. That is the reality of our poor pay,” a professor said about choosing fellowship funding over his university salary. Another recalled a colleague who earned nearly N1 million during a sabbatical but returned to a university salary of just N250,000.

Former UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, lamented that poor remuneration has crippled teaching quality. “The lecturers are tired, the morale is low… My son saw my pay slip and described it as a joke. Do you know that some lecturers sleep in the office?” he said.

ASUU President, Emmanuel Piwuna, blamed government neglect, noting salaries have barely changed since 2009. “Professors who were earning a little over N400,000 have still not been able to get to the N500,000 mark… Meanwhile, the political class keeps approving new pay rises for themselves,” he said

Prof. Tunde Adeoye of UNILAG urged urgent action to avert fresh strikes. “The government must improve our living standards and conditions of service to prevent brain drain. Many of our members cannot pay their house rents,” he said.

Source: Punch

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Under the new directive, no university in Nigeria is permitted to admit candidates who scored below 150 in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

While this threshold applies generally, several leading institutions such as the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, and Pan-Atlantic University have opted for a higher cut-off score of 200, reflecting their competitive admission processes.

Meanwhile, some newly established private universities proposed lower benchmarks, with a few suggesting 120. However, the JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, recommended a more balanced cut-off of 160, encouraging institutions to maintain standards while ensuring access.

The policy decision comes amid ongoing reforms to enhance fairness and quality in the country’s tertiary admissions system.

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