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Rector Urges End to University, Polytechnic Graduates Dichotomy in Nigeria

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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

JAMB Breaks New Ground, Allows Home Upload of O’Level Results

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Candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions can now upload and verify their O’Level results from the comfort of their homes, following a new initiative by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Under the new arrangement, candidates will no longer need to visit Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres solely to upload their Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results, as JAMB will verify the results directly with the examination bodies, beginning with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

In a statement on Monday in Abuja, JAMB’s Acting Director, Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr.

Fabian Benjamin, said the Board would continue to deploy technology and collaborate with examination and government agencies to simplify its services and make them more accessible to candidates.

According to him, the initiative was part of its renewed commitment to making its services “easier, faster, safer and more convenient” for candidates.

He said the integration of its e-Facility platform with examination bodies would enable candidates’ results to be verified against the records of the issuing bodies before being downloaded into their profiles.

The new system is also expected to address problems associated with manual O’Level result uploads, including misplaced or mixed-up paper results, presentation of fraudulent or unverified certificates and errors in the manual entry of subjects and grades.

The examination body said the initiative would particularly ease pressure on CBT centres during periods of high patronage and help reduce the effect of network challenges and long queues.

The statement reads: “Consequently, candidates can now upload their O’Level results from the comfort of their homes, while the Board undertakes the verification of such results directly with the issuing examination bodies.

“The initiative is part of the Board’s renewed commitment to making services easier, faster, safer and more convenient for candidates. By using technology to reduce unnecessary visits to CBT centres, queues and manual processes, JAMB is putting candidate ease of service delivery at the centre of its operations.

“The new arrangement also addresses challenges associated with manual O’Level result uploads, including misplaced or mixed-up paper results, presentation of unverified or fraudulent results, and errors in the manual entry of subjects and grades. Through the integration of JAMB’s eFacility platform with examination bodies, results can now be verified directly against the examination body’s records before being downloaded into the candidate’s profile.”

To use the new service, candidates are required to visit its website, enter their National Identification Number (NIN) and select the number of examination sittings and relevant examination body or bodies.

After providing their email address and GSM number, candidates are required to pay for the verification using a debit card or bank transfer before entering their examination number, examination series and examination year.

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Education

Don Raises the Alarm Over Political Illegality in Nigeria, Proffers Solutions

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From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

A Professor of History at the Federal University, Lokoja, Suberu Ochi Abdulrahaman, has raised the alarm over the prevailing political illegality bedeviling Nigeria insisting that leaders in the system should endeavor to obey the laws of the land and do the right thing that would move the nation forward.

Professor Abdulrahaman made the observation while delivering the 45th Inaugural Lecture Series of the University at its Felele Campus, in Lokoja, on Wednesday.

Professor Abdulrahaman in his Lecture titled, Persisting Illegalities in Nigeria’s Political Space: Who is to Blame? A Historical Discourse on Power, Institution and Democratic Governance, noted that political illegality which ranges from electoral fraud, arbitrary use of executive power for manipulation and intimidation to sponsorship of thuggery and violence in the system, amongst others, can only be overcome if leaders in governance work in accordance with the nation’s constitution.

According to the Inaugural lecturer “The resistance of political illegalities is neither accidental nor the responsibility of a single institution or generation.

“It is the cumulative product of colonial administrative legacies, prolonged military
authoritarianism, weak institutional development, political opportunism, inadequate civic engagement, and failures of ethical
Leadership.

“History teaches us that no nation develops sustainably when public institutions are weakened by impunity, when constitutional rules are subordinated to personal interests, or when political power is exercised without accountability.

“Equally, history reminds us that societies are capable of renewal when they choose to strengthen institutions rather than personalities, uphold the rule of law rather than arbitrary power, and promote justice above expediency.

“Accordingly, the challenge before Nigeria is not simply to conduct periodic elections or enact additional legislation.
The greater challenge is to cultivate a democratic culture in which constitutionalism becomes habitual, public office is regarded as a sacred trust, institutions command public confidence, and citizens
actively defend democratic values.

“Political leaders must recognise that authority derives its legitimacy not merely from electoral victory but from faithful obedience to the Constitution and unwavering commitment to the public good.

“Institutions must be empowered to function independently, impartially, and professionally.

” Citizens must reject every form of political illegality, whether manifested through vote buying, political
violence, corruption, or indifference to injustice”

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye in his welcome address, disclosed that his administration will continue to give Inaugural Lecture Series topmost priority as it offers opportunity for where the public is highly equipped with relevant knowledge on contemporary issues affecting the society.

He described Professor Suberu Abdulrahaman as an accomplished historian who has made his mark in his academic field.

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Education

ASUU Approves Strike in 20 Varsities over Breached 2025 Agreement

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Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has authorised 20 federal and state universities across Nigeria to commence varying degrees of industrial action.

The decision was reached during a critical National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja between August 8 and 9, 2026.

ASUU National President, Prof.

Christopher Piwuna, disclosed this at the weekend, expressing the union’s deep frustration over the “haphazard implementation” of the landmark December 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement.

The union warned that a full-scale resurgence of campus unrest is now inevitable.

Regarding the 20 approved universities facing looming strikes, the NEC resolved to grant permission for industrial action once individual institutions successfully satisfy internal union requirements.

The affected institutions include: Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA); Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK); Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL); University of Medical Sciences, Ondo (UNIMEDO); Gombe State University (GSU), Gombe; Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos; Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (EAUED), Oyo; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (AAUE); Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa; Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu; University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE), Akamkpa; Kaduna State University (KASU), Kaduna.

Others are Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil; Northwest University, Kano (NWUK); Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu; Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri; Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island; University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT); Bayelsa Medical University (BMU), Yenagoa; and Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo.

ASUU also disclosed that the implementation status of universities within the Lagos Zone is currently under review, with separate declarations expected in due course.

Speaking on the core grievances driving the crisis, ASUU noted that while Vice-Chancellors at the federal level face severe challenges due to underfunded monthly salary bills, the situation at the state level is considerably worse.

According to the union, only about 10% or fewer of state governors have openly endorsed the new salary package established in December 2025.

The rest were accused of “playing the ostrich” and passing financial burdens onto Governing Councils that lack the funding to back them.

The union also explicitly blamed officials within the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. These bodies are accused of deliberately stalling promotion arrears, dragging their feet on monthly salary releases, and illegally withholding the remittance of academics’ deductions to their respective Pension Fund Administrations (PFAs).

Furthermore, ASUU raised concerns over the unpaid, withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries dating back to the 2022 nationwide strike. While ASUU initially praised President Bola Tinubu for releasing four months of those salaries, the refusal to remit the balance has left a “strong bitter taste.”

The union also condemned the prolonged delays in paying the 25/35% wage award and outstanding promotion arrears to its members.

Meanwhile, ASUU issued a stern warning regarding the recent harassment of its branch leaders and members by Vice-Chancellors at ESUT, IMSU, and ABSU.

The NEC declared that it will strictly refuse to call off any industrial action in these specific institutions until all forms of victimization stop completely.

Beyond the immediate academic crisis, the NEC reviewed the worsening socio-political and economic landscape of Nigeria.

The union strongly condemned the ongoing atmosphere of pre-election violence, political killings, and economic instability as the country approaches upcoming election cycles, noting that these existential threats directly undermine the living and working conditions of everyday Nigerians and university lecturers alike.

Despite praising the mediation efforts of Senator Lanre Tejuoso, the Chairman of the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC), ASUU maintains that it will stop at nothing to enforce the full scope of the agreement.

The union has announced that it will convene an emergency NEC meeting in the next few weeks to appraise the situation. If the government fails to act swiftly to clear outstanding financial entitlements and halt the harassment of lecturers, a wider, coordinated national academic shutdown may follow.

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