Connect with us

Education

Rector Urges End to University, Polytechnic Graduates Dichotomy in Nigeria

Published

on

Share

The Rector of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Uwana (AIFPU), Dr Felix Attah, has called on the Federal Government to end the existing dichotomy between university and polytechnic graduates in Nigeria.

The Rector made the call on Friday in Uwana, Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi during the 44th matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the polytechnics’ matriculation arena.

Attah, who decried the imbalance said that the most challenging issue in the polytechnic sector was the continuing dichotomy between university and polytechnic graduates and certificates issued to them.

He noted that the disparity had persisted in spite of the federal government’s pronouncements abrogating the dichotomy.

“It is globally acknowledged that the polytechnic is central to technical and vocational education, therefore, polytechnic education should be accorded its priority for national development.

“The only solution is for the federal government to grant polytechnics permission to be awarding degrees in technology; once that is done, the dichotomy will be over because while university is awarding their degrees, we will be awarding ours.

“I believe that with God on our side, the willingness of federal government and the cooperation of the National Assembly, the ongoing processes to amend the Polytechnic Act to expand the scope of polytechnics and create a separate regulator for the sector will be achieved,” he said.

The Rector added that the polytechnic sector in Nigeria was bedeviled with challenges from different quarters as the Nigerian economy struggled to beat negative headwinds caused by dwindling resources for sustainable developments.

“The intervention lines for infrastructure developments in polytechnics are getting leaner in spite of the best efforts of the Tertiary Education Trusts Fund (TETFUND) and other agencies,” he added.

On the recent clamour for the abolition of TETFUND, the Rector noted that without TETFUND that tertiary education would be in ruins and called on President Bola Tinubu not to give ascent to any bill that would seek to abolish the programme.

Attah explained that matriculation ceremony was an important academic ritual to formally induct new students into the hallowed chambers of the institution.

He congratulated the 2,524 matriculants on their admission.

“It is in the matriculation ceremony like today that this polytechnic formally acknowledges to our parents and guardians that the polytechnic has formally taken responsibility of training their children in technical education as well as moulding their characters.

“I earnestly admonish our matriculating students to strictly adhere to the noble principles guiding the conduct of students in the polytechnic.

“These noble principles include honesty, good character and serious mindedness in pursuit of academic excellence.

“We guide our students to be of good behaviours; any student that exhibits anti-social behaviours such as dishonesty, examination malpractice, forgery, cultism among other anti-social activities will be rusticated from the institution.

“We congratulate our parents and students for deeming us worthy partners to the future of their children,” Attah said.

The institution matriculated no fewer than 2,524 students in the 2024/2025 academic session.

They included 1,248 in National Diploma (ND), 1,249 in Higher National Diploma (HND) and 27 students in part time programme. (NAN)

Education

UNICAL VC Promises to Resolve Dentistry Students’ Crisis

Published

on

Share

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi has promised that she would do everything humanly possible to ensure that the ongoing crisis in the institution’s Department of Dentistry, is resolved.

Prof.

Obi made the promise in Calabar during a press briefing, stressing that she will resolve the crisis before leaving office.

She explained that the problem predates her administration, and pledged to intensify efforts to rectify the crisis.

She added that the crisis was as a result of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)’s refusal to induct 2016 Dentistry students of the institution.

She also debunked claims circulating on social media that the institution’s Dentistry programme has lost its accreditation, describing the reports as “misinformation and distortion of facts,” clarifying that the programme remains fully accredited and no students have been directed to transfer to other universities.

“At no point did the University ask Dentistry students to seek transfers to other institutions, nor were they advised to ‘go and learn a trade’ as falsely alleged online,” the VC stated.

“I will feel very bad if I leave without solving this problem and the students are left hanging without knowing their fate. I won’t be fulfilled,” she said.

She reaffirmed the University’s commitment to ensuring all Dentistry students graduate and are duly licensed as dental surgeons.

She noted that the Dentistry programme commenced in the 2013/2014 academic session, and in November 2019, the University secured pre-clinical accreditation from the MDCN and full clinical accreditation was subsequently granted in December 2022.

The VC added that the university’s synergy and partnership with the Minister of Education and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to upgrade its facilities.

“All we asked for is time to engage with other institutions, update the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), and follow through on due processes,” she noted.

Speaking further, Obi said that some of the affected students demanded to be transferred to the Department of Medicine and Surgery but said it was not the solution as the department was already saturated.

She urged the affected students to remain calm, noting that the university was doing everything possible to resolve the issues before the end of her tenure.

Continue Reading

Education

NUT Reaffirms Commitment to Teachers’ Professional Development in Kwara

Published

on

Share

From Abdullahi Abubakar, Ilorin

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kwara State Wing has restated its commitment to strengthening the professional growth of teachers across the State, to enhance the quality of education delivered in public schools. Speaking at the opening of a three-day capacity-building workshop in Ilorin, the State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Yusuf Wahab Agboola, noted that continuous training of teachers remains a vital component of educational reform and improved classroom delivery.

The training, organised in collaboration with the NUT National Secretariat, is targeted at selected teachers and focuses on the “Study Circle Conveners’ Model”—a grassroots strategy for enhancing peer-to-peer learning and participatory leadership within the education sector.

Comrade Agboola explained that the workshop aims to equip teachers with practical skills in collaborative learning, peer engagement, and innovative teaching practices. He expressed optimism that the training would promote professional bonding among teachers and foster collective solutions to challenges facing the education sector.

Also speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of the NUT Study Circle Project, Comrade Solomon Igbelowowa, traced the initiative’s roots to 1985 when it was introduced in Nigeria by the Swedish Teachers Association, having recorded success in Sweden and other parts of the world. He commended the Nigerian Union of Teachers for sustaining the project over the years and urged participants to engage fully and make the most of the training opportunity.

The workshop was officially declared open by the National President of the NUT, Audu Amba, who was represented by the 3rd National Vice President, Bashir Oyewo.

He encouraged teachers to approach the sessions with dedication and punctuality.

Continue Reading

Education

JAMB Sets 150  Cut-off Mark for University Admissions

Published

on

Joint Admission and Matriculation Board
Share

By Tony Obiechina Abuja

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has fixed 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for admission into Nigerian universities for the 2025/2026 academic session.

The decision was reached on Tuesday during the 2025 Policy Meeting on Admissions, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, with stakeholders from various tertiary institutions in attendance.

According to JAMB, 140 was approved as the minimum score for colleges of nursing sciences, while polytechnics, colleges of education, and colleges of agriculture will admit candidates with a minimum score of 100.

“The minimum admissible scores for admissions for the next academic session have been fixed at 150 for universities, 100 for polytechnics, 100 for colleges of education, and 140 for colleges of nursing sciences by the stakeholders (Heads of Tertiary Institutions),” JAMB announced via its official X account.

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS6 hours ago

Kairos Hof Unveils ‘Stroom Solar Systems’ to Power Nigerian Homes

ShareBy David Torough, Abuja In a major leap towards eradicating energy poverty and boosting clean energy access for households, Kairos...

Uncategorized12 hours ago

Financial Scandal: Ebonyi Indigenes demand Sack of SSG Over Diversion of State Resources

Share… Give Governor Nwifuru 48 Hours Ultimatum By Mike Odiakose, Abuja Following a reported Court order ordering the interim forfeiture...

POLITICS12 hours ago

Osun 2026 Guber: APC Aspirants Should Not Waste Money Contesting Against Adeleke – Ex Party Chieftain, Jackson Ojo

ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja A former Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Jackson Lekan Ojo has advised those...

NEWS17 hours ago

Awujale’s Burial: ICIR to Sue Ogun Govt, Late Monarch’s Family

ShareFrom Anjorin Adeloye, Ibadan The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) has over the weekend vowed to institute litigation against...

NEWS17 hours ago

NNPP Chieftain Urges FG to Improve Facilities at Correctional Centres

ShareFrom Anjorin Adeloye, Ibadan A South-West Chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has called...

NEWS17 hours ago

EDEN Wants NASS to Strip Governors of Powers under Land Use Act

ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa The Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) has urged the National Assembly to expunge sections of the Land...

NEWS17 hours ago

Enugu Crashes Band A Electricity Tariff to N160/kWh

ShareFrom Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu The Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC), has issued a new tariff to MainPower Electricity Distribution...

NEWS17 hours ago

Price Hike: Poultry Association to Set up Sales Points at LGAs

ShareThe Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Lagos State chapter, has disclosed plans to set up sale points at Local Government...

NEWS17 hours ago

ANA Bayelsa Elects New Chairman

ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa The Bayelsa State Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has elected Dr. Ernest Weridougha...

NEWS17 hours ago

Adamawa Police Command Arrests 567 Suspects, Rescues 13 Traffic Children

ShareFrom Yagana Ali, Yola The Adamawa State Police Command has made significant strides in its efforts to combat crime and...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc