The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Category: Education

  • NELFUND Launches Token System to Prevent Duplicate School Fee Payments

    The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has begun piloting a tokenised payment system to prevent students from paying their school fees twice and to eliminate refund complications, with nearly 400,000 applications already received under the ongoing process.

    NELFUND Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing, explaining that the new arrangement would let students initiate payments directly to their institutions through tokens linked to their schools.

    Under the proposed system, students would use an application on their phones to authorise payments from their approved loan funds to their institutions, rather than receiving the money in their personal bank accounts.

    Sawyerr said the change was intended to address situations in which students paid their fees without knowing that NELFUND had already transferred the money to their institutions.

    He explained that delays in notifying students about payments made by the fund had resulted in some beneficiaries making duplicate payments, creating the need for refunds.

    “We discovered that there were some issues with students being informed in good time that their payments had been made by NELFUND, which meant that some of them would pay because they hadn’t realised that NELFUND had paid already,” he said.

    According to him, the problem could arise when the fund paid an institution but the student, unaware of the transaction, proceeded to pay independently to meet the school’s deadline.

    Sawyerr illustrated the situation with an example in which NELFUND paid an institution on Monday, but a student who did not know about the payment paid the same fees by Wednesday and only learnt of the fund’s earlier transaction on Friday.

    “It was a genuine error, no suspicion, no accusation, just genuine error,” he said.
    The managing director said the new payment mechanism was intended to eliminate such situations by allowing students to initiate payments themselves and have the transactions reflected directly in their institutions’ accounts.

    “We want to eliminate that need for refunds. So we’re placing the power of payment in the hands of the students,” Sawyerr said.

    He explained that students would receive notifications when their approved fees were ready for payment and could then authorise the transaction through their phones.

    Once a student initiates the payment, the money would move directly to the designated institution, reducing the possibility of students paying fees already covered by NELFUND.

    Sawyerr stressed that the arrangement was not a cash-disbursement system but a mechanism designed to give students control over the initiation of payments while restricting how the funds could be used.

    “We’re not giving the students money, but we’re giving them power,” he said.
    The system would also prevent beneficiaries from transferring the money to their personal bank accounts or redirecting it to other institutions, he added.

    Responding to questions from journalists about whether students could transfer the funds to their personal accounts after receiving them in a wallet, Sawyerr said the tokenised system would restrict the funds to the institution for which the payment had been approved.

    “The system, the token, not only can they not transfer it to their personal account, they can’t transfer it to any other school,” he said.

    He explained that, for instance, a student whose approved payment was N200,000 would be able to authorise the transfer only to the designated school’s account.

    “If they don’t push the button, the money doesn’t go anywhere. It will never be able to be transferred to the personal account of the student or anybody else,” he said.

    The fund’s Executive Director, Mustapha Iyal, also explained that the token was linked to a specific institution rather than a personal or mobile money wallet.

    “It’s not a personal wallet, it’s not a mobile money wallet at all,” Iyal said, explaining that each token would be attached to a particular institution and could only be used to direct payments to that school.

    Iyal confirmed that the pilot phase had commenced, with close to 400,000 applications received at the time of the briefing.

    “As I speak to you, we already have close to 400,000 applications,” he said.

    He added that the institution-linked arrangement was designed to ensure that the money could not be redirected to another school or a student’s personal account.

    NELFUND administers the Federal Government’s student loan scheme established under the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024. The programme provides eligible Nigerian students with access to interest-free loans to cover institutional charges and, where requested and approved, upkeep expenses.
    Under the existing arrangement described on NELFUND’s official website, approved institutional charges are paid directly to students’ institutions, while upkeep allowances are paid into the students’ bank accounts.

    The distinction is important because the proposed tokenised system concerns the payment of institutional charges, not the ordinary transfer of upkeep allowances to students. 

    The loan scheme is intended to ease the financial burden of tertiary education and improve access for students who might otherwise struggle to meet the cost of schooling. However, the payment process requires coordination among NELFUND, beneficiaries and tertiary institutions to ensure that applications are verified, approved amounts are accurate and payments are properly recorded.

    NELFUND’s payment guidelines and institutional verification procedures form part of that process. Where students pay their fees before the fund’s disbursement reaches their institutions, refunds may be required after the institutions receive the loan payments. 

    Sawyerr’s explanation suggests that delayed communication about completed payments has created another administrative challenge: students may be unaware that the fund has already settled their fees and make payments independently to meet registration or other academic deadlines.

    The new system is intended to address that gap by giving students the ability to authorise institutional payments through a token linked to their schools.

    According to Sawyerr and Iyal, the restriction would prevent the funds from being diverted to personal accounts or transferred to other institutions.

    Although Iyal confirmed that the pilot had commenced, the officials did not provide a specific date for full implementation during the briefing. The close to 400,000 applications cited by Iyal should also not be interpreted as the number of applications already processed through the pilot, as the briefing did not establish that distinction.

    The effectiveness of the new arrangement will depend on how smoothly students, institutions and NELFUND can coordinate payment authorisation, confirmation and records, particularly when institutions impose deadlines for fee payments and registration. Punch

  • University Workers Protest Shortfalls in FG’s Arrears Payments

    University Workers Protest Shortfalls in FG’s Arrears Payments

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    University workers across Nigeria have expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s payment of arrears under its 2026 agreement with university unions, citing incomplete payments, unpaid allowances and a lack of clarity over outstanding entitlements.

    Findings across several institutions show that while some workers have received payments covering between six and nine months, others are still awaiting their money or seeking explanations on how the funds were distributed.

    At the Federal University of Lafia, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) chairman, Daniel Dajen, said members had received only six months’ arrears, despite the government’s claim that payments covering eight months had been released.

    Dajen said the funds disbursed were insufficient to cover the full amount owed and called on the Federal Government to address the shortfall. He also faulted the lack of adequate consultation with universities before the funds were allocated.

    At the University of Ilorin, SSANU chairman Falowo Naheem confirmed that members had received eight months’ arrears under the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA) component of the agreement.

    However, he said other allowances remained unpaid and expressed concern over the exclusion of eligible union members working in university health centres, including doctors, nurses, laboratory technologists and health records officers.

    Falowo also listed withheld salaries, earned allowances, salary increments and promotion arrears among the outstanding entitlements, urging the government to ensure that all eligible workers benefited from the agreement.

    At the University of Benin, SSANU chairman Julius Idu said members received eight months’ arrears but were expecting nine months, given that the agreement took effect in January 2026. He said one month’s payment, alongside excess workload, hazard and responsibility allowances, remained outstanding.

    The SSANU chairman at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Dr Linus Akata, also confirmed that workers on the institution’s payroll had received eight months’ CONTTA arrears.

    In contrast, the Chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions at the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, Abdullahi Sani, said members had received their outstanding arrears.

    At Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, NASU chairman Okechukwu Ndukwe confirmed that members received nine months’ arrears. He welcomed the payment but noted that inflation had reduced its purchasing power while other entitlements remained unsettled.

    At the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, SSANU chairman Dr Franklin Duru said the university management began implementing the agreement in July using internally sourced funds before the Federal Government released money in October.

    Duru said members had received arrears covering January to June, while some excess workload allowances remained unpaid. He added that the university had paid three months of the allowance arrears, with the balance awaiting computation and disbursement.

    At Bayero University, Kano, SSANU chairman Mustapha Aminu said the management had paid 80 per cent of the outstanding salary and allowance arrears owed to non-teaching staff. He said a committee involving union and management representatives would be established to ensure the remaining funds reached eligible workers.

    Meanwhile, checks at Kano State-owned institutions, including Northwest University, Kano, and the Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, indicated that the state government had paid outstanding allowances to non-teaching staff.

    The payment situation at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, remained unclear, as the institution’s management and relevant officials had not provided an update despite repeated inquiries.

     Jigawa workers await payments

    Non-teaching staff at several universities in Jigawa State said they were yet to receive payment alerts or official communications explaining the status of their arrears.

    Checks at the Federal University Dutse, Sule Lamido University, Kafin-Hausa, the Federal University of Technology, Babura, and Jigawa State University of Medical and Allied Health Sciences, Majia, revealed uncertainty among workers over the implementation of the agreement.

    A non-teaching staff member at the Federal University Dutse, Yusuf Abdullahi, said he had not received any payment despite reports of the government’s release of funds.

    Similarly, a worker at the Federal University of Technology, Babura, Fatima Sule, said she was still waiting for her arrears.

    Sule Lamido University’s Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Lawal, said payment of the outstanding arrears was the responsibility of the Jigawa State Government.

    According to him, the government had promised to implement the arrears for members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, SSANU and NASU, but the institution was still awaiting action.

    The uncertainty has raised questions among workers at state-owned institutions about whether they are covered by the Federal Government’s reported disbursement or must rely on separate funding from their state governments.

     Unions demand accountability

    Beyond complaints about shortfalls, some unions have called for greater transparency in the management and distribution of the released funds.

    At the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, ASUU branch chairman Professor Bruno Ikuli urged the university management to disclose the total amount received for salary arrears and explain how it was shared among staff.

    Ikuli said some lecturers had received payments but were uncertain whether the amounts reflected their actual entitlements. He clarified that the union was not disputing the payments but wanted an account of the funds and the criteria used for distribution.

    At Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, SSANU chairman Sulisma Jatau said members had received the government-approved salary increments, although some non-financial provisions of the agreement remained outstanding.

    He estimated that implementation of the financial aspects was between 85 and 90 per cent complete, while the non-financial components had reached between 70 and 80 per cent.

    The Public Relations Officer of Sa’adu Zungur University, Auwal Hassan, also confirmed that staff at the institution received payments in September.

    The varying experiences across the institutions have left some university workers demanding full payment of their entitlements, clear explanations of the disbursement process and the complete implementation of the agreement.

    **Tags:** university workers, Federal Government, salary arrears, SSANU, university unions

  • Alausa Directs Universities To Complete Four-Year Courses Within Four Years

    Alausa Directs Universities To Complete Four-Year Courses Within Four Years

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Federal Government has directed tertiary institutions to ensure that four-year degree programmes are completed within the stipulated period, as it moves to strengthen monitoring of agreements with staff unions to prevent strikes.

    The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, gave the directive on Tuesday in Abuja during the unveiling of the 2026 agreements between the Federal Government and unions in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

    Alausa said the agreements were designed to fulfil President Bola Tinubu’s promise that students should complete four-year courses within four years.

    “Today, through his leadership, these agreements give practical expression to that pledge: A promise made, a promise kept, and trust restored,” the minister said.

    He said the government was determined to address recurring disputes over the implementation of agreements with unions, which have disrupted academic calendars and delayed students’ graduation.

    As part of the measures, Alausa announced plans to expand the existing Implementation and Monitoring Committee, initially established to oversee the agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, to cover academic and non-academic unions across tertiary institutions.

    The proposed expanded committee will monitor implementation, track agreed milestones, identify challenges and issue periodic reports to promote accountability.

    According to the minister, the arrangement will help resolve disagreements at an early stage before they escalate into industrial disputes capable of disrupting academic activities.

    He urged union leaders to use the committee to address complaints rather than resort to public confrontations or threats of strikes.

    “We must strengthen early consultation and resolve differences through constructive dialogue, mutual respect and good-faith engagement,” he said, adding that students and their families must remain central to the process.

    Alausa also disclosed that the agreements provide for reviews every three years, allowing the government and unions to revisit emerging issues and consider mutually agreed adjustments.

    Meanwhile, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Shammah Kpanja, described the negotiation process as the fastest in the union’s history.

    Kpanja said negotiations began in December 2025 and resulted in the signing of the agreement in April 2026.

    He disclosed that implementation had started, with members receiving outstanding arrears between July and September, but called on the government to fulfil the remaining provisions.

    The ASUP president also welcomed plans to inaugurate a joint implementation committee, expressing hope that it would speed up the process before the end of the year.

    Similarly, the President of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, Lawal Bazza, said more than 70 per cent of the agreement for the subsector had been implemented.

    Bazza expressed confidence that the monitoring committee would help resolve outstanding issues and ensure the full implementation of the agreement.

    The Chairman of the Federal Government Negotiation Team, Yayale Ahmed, had also stressed the need for both parties to honour their commitments, warning against threats of indefinite strikes over unpaid entitlements.

    Ahmed said the success of the agreements would depend on the government’s commitment to implementation and the unions’ willingness to exercise patience.

    He further disclosed that discrepancies had been identified in some parts of the agreements and would be addressed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

  • UK Universities Withdraw Admission Offers to Nigerian Students

    Some United Kingdom universities have withdrawn the admissions of Nigerian students due to an ongoing visa crackdown by the British government impacting international applicants.

    The universities revoked admissions given mostly to Nigerian and Pakistani applicants in the first half of 2026, driven by tightening rules from the Home Office regarding visas for international students.

    According to a Financial Times report on Saturday, a study showed that 10.5 per cent of study visa applications to the UK ended up being withdrawn, up from 2.3 per cent in the same period last year and 0.4 per cent in 2023.

    “Universities are revoking offers en masse made to international applicants from countries including Nigeria and Pakistan as they fear the UK government’s visa crackdown will result in a ban on their recruiting international students,” the report stated.

    The Financial Times noted that the institutions clarified they revoked admissions in reaction to a doubling in the number of study visas refused by the Home Office during the first six months of 2026.

    The report stated that 22.7 per cent of study visa applications from Nigeria were withdrawn in the first half of this year, compared to 4.5 per cent in the first half of 2025.

    Related News

    “While visa applications can be withdrawn for other reasons, universities said the main driver had been an increase in their revoking offers,” it added.

    The British publication further stated that the surge in Home Office study visa rejections has been driven by a higher increase in refusals from applicants suspected by the UK government of using the route to make asylum claims.

    Data from visa processing application firm Enroly indicates that nearly half of universities have refusal rates above the five per cent threshold, which could lead to a ban on recruiting international students.

    Speaking on the repercussions of the visa revocations, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sunderland, Sir David Bell, said, “This has involved pulling back from international markets where a tougher approach is being taken to visa applications”.

    Vanessa Wilson, chief executive of University Alliance, a group of 20 professional and technical universities, warned, “This is going to result in restructures, which inevitably result in job losses, course closures, campus closures”. Punch

  • Soludo Approves FG-ASUU Agreement For Ojukwu Varsity From 2027

    Soludo Approves FG-ASUU Agreement For Ojukwu Varsity From 2027

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has approved the implementation of the 2025 renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities for staff of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, beginning in January 2027.

    The university’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Harrison Madubueze, announced the approval in a statement issued on Friday.

    According to Madubueze, the decision was communicated to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha, through the Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Peter Onwualu.

    Omenugha expressed appreciation to the governor on behalf of the university management, Senate, staff and students, while also commending the leadership of the institution’s labour unions.

    She described the approval as the fulfilment of assurances previously given by the state government concerning the implementation of the agreement.

    The statement said the implementation had remained elusive under previous administrations, which it accused of failing to fulfil commitments to university staff.

    It added that the decision aligned with Soludo’s education agenda, which seeks to restore teaching as a respected profession by ensuring that educators receive appropriate motivation and rewards.

    The university management said the implementation formed part of broader efforts to improve the institution’s standards and position it as a university of global standing.

    The Federal Government and ASUU reached a renegotiated agreement in 2025 following prolonged disagreements over university funding, lecturers’ welfare and working conditions.

    Although the Federal Government oversees federal universities, state governments are responsible for decisions concerning the implementation of such agreements in their state-owned institutions, including Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

  • NLC Begins Indefinite Strike in FCT Over Teachers’ Promotion, Welfare

    NLC Begins Indefinite Strike in FCT Over Teachers’ Promotion, Welfare

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Nigeria Labour Congress, Federal Capital Territory Council, has commenced an indefinite strike across the FCT over unresolved concerns surrounding the promotion and welfare of teachers.

    The industrial action began on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, following a decision reached at the council’s State Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday at Labour House, Abuja.

    In a statement signed by the FCT NLC Chairman, Knabayi S. Adalo, the union directed workers in both the public and private sectors to withdraw their services and remain at home until further notice.

    The decision followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Minister over demands relating to the conditions of teachers in the territory.

    Among the union’s demands is the removal of the vacancy requirement for the promotion of FCT teachers. The NLC is also seeking an opportunity for eligible teachers due for promotion in 2025 to sit for their promotion examinations.

    The union further demanded the withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors who benefited from the Harmonised Teachers Retirement Age Act, 2022.

    The NLC said the response from the FCT Administration failed to resolve the issues raised in its ultimatum, describing it as vague and inadequate.

    The council argued that teachers should not be subjected to a vacancy-based promotion system applicable to pool officers, stressing that they were employed specifically for teaching duties and should be promoted when due.

    The union accused the FCT Administration of seeking industrial peace without addressing what it described as injustice against teachers.

    It consequently directed all workers in the territory, including those in the private sector, to stay away from their duty posts from October 7 until further notice.

    The NLC appealed to residents, particularly parents, to bear with workers during the strike and urged civil society organisations and other stakeholders to intervene in the dispute.

    The council warned that the action was not a warning strike, insisting that it would remain in force indefinitely until its demands were addressed.

    The FCT Administration had not publicly responded to the strike declaration as of the time of filing this report.

  • Gov Mbah Seeks National Emergency in Education, Launches Enugu Education Policy

    Gov Mbah Seeks National Emergency in Education, Launches Enugu Education Policy

    …As UNICEF, UNESCO, others, hail Mbah’s giant strides in education

    Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has called for a quantum leap and the declaration of a national emergency in Nigeria’s education sector to guarantee the nation’s development and future prosperity.

    Mbah argued that the audacity needed to fund a quantum leap in the nation’s education sector would flow from an appreciation of its necessity.

    This was even as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), British Council, and other global and national education stakeholders have hailed the governor for making education the centerpiece of his administration’s development agenda.

    The governor made the call in his keynote address at the 2026 Enugu Education Summit and the unveiling of the Enugu Education Policy at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, on Wednesday.

    Speaking at the summit, themed, “Transforming Education for the Future: Leadership, Innovation, Partnership, Financing and Sustainable Reform,” he said Nigeria had reached the point where education must be treated as a national emergency.

    “I believe Nigeria has reached the point where we must treat education as a national emergency.

    “Not rhetorically, but in our budgets, our teacher development, our infrastructure, the standards we demand, and the partnerships we build between the Federal Government, states, development agencies, communities and the private sector.

    “Our future prosperity depends upon the knowledge and capabilities of our people, after all. And that means every Nigerian child, wherever they are born, must have access to an education capable of preparing them for the world they are entering.

    “Whatever education costs us today, ignorance will cost us far more tomorrow.

    “Once we understand that, the question changes. It is no longer: Can we afford to make or fund this quantum leap? It becomes: What will happen to us if we do not?” he stated.

    He further argued that no nation could truly eradicate poverty or achieve sustainable development without addressing the root causes of poverty, including lack of knowledge, know-how and the capabilities through which people create wealth, find employment, build enterprises, participate intelligently in society and determine the direction of their own lives.

    “If we fix the road today but fail to educate the child who will maintain it tomorrow, how sustainable was our investment in the road?

    “If we build factories but lack the skilled people capable of running increasingly sophisticated production systems, where is our own Industrial Revolution going to come from?

    “And if millions of young people reach adulthood without the knowledge and capabilities to participate meaningfully in the economy, what exactly do we imagine the social cost of that will be?

    “So, if Nigeria is to become a creation economy rather than a consumption economy, then we must equip our young people not simply to use what the world creates, but to research, design, engineer and create what the world needs.

    “The point here is straightforward: transformation cannot survive on aspiration alone. Eventually, somebody has to pay for it,” he stated.

    Mbah cited his administration’s decision to invest 33 per cent of the state’s annual budget in education for three consecutive years, building, among other facilities, 268 Smart Green Schools and more than 7,000 classrooms equipped with 21st-century learning tools.

    “If Enugu’s experience offers one lesson, it is that when the scale of the challenge demands a quantum leap, audacity is not a luxury. It is a necessity.

    “When we came into government, we had to look at that reality very closely. We could have repaired the existing system. We could have renovated some classrooms, supplied some desks, put computers into a few schools and called it reform.

    “But we had to ask ourselves a more difficult question: would it be enough? Would an education system essentially designed for the world of 40 years ago prepare an Enugu child for the world of 20 years from now? Our answer was ‘No’.

    “What we have attempted in Enugu is, therefore, not a collection of education projects. It is a change in the entire development model – a quantum leap,” he explained.

    Unveiling the Enugu State Education Policy, Mbah explained that his administration was already implementing the policy, saying it would serve as the benchmark for the state’s education sector over the next six to 10 years.

    “This is also a strong indication that nothing in our entire policy is knee-jerk – everything is a product of careful thought,” he concluded.

    Meanwhile, represented by the UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Enugu, Mrs Juliet Chilewe, the agency’s Country Representative to Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, said Enugu State had demonstrated a strong commitment to UNICEF’s vision of education transformation through investments in Smart Green Schools, teachers, foundational learning, digital literacy and experiential learning.

    She said UNICEF was proud to have supported the development of the Enugu State Education Sector Plan 2026–2035.

    In its remarks, UNESCO commended the governor for investing heavily in education, citing the 268 Smart Green Schools, the Centre for Experiential Learning and Innovation (CELI), and the plan to recruit more than 6,000 teachers.

    Represented by the Officer-in-Charge of the Education Sector, Mr Adeyemi Oladeji, the UNESCO Representative to Nigeria, Dr Isaias Barreto da Rosa, said, “I congratulate Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for his leadership and for making education the centerpiece of Enugu’s development agenda.

    “The establishment of 268 Smart Green Schools is a landmark achievement that shows schools can be digitally enabled and environmentally responsible at the same time, preparing learners for a changing world while advancing the climate-conscious education that UNESCO promotes globally,” he stated.

    Also, the British Council, represented by its Director on English and School Education, Nigeria, Fwanshihsak Daniel, expressed pride in the Mbah Administration’s achievements in the education sector, saying it would continue to partner with the government to ensure that the good policies yield better outcomes in classrooms.

    “We commend Enugu State’s bold ambitions of an education system in which every learner develops strong foundations, creativity and the necessary skills to the society and the economy,” Daniel added.

    The Commissioner for Education, Enugu State, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, while thanking the Governor and stakeholders for their support, assured that Enugu had begun a journey of irreversible educational progress.

    The high point of the event was the official unveiling of the Enugu State Education Policy and a tour of the exhibition of the Smart Green School Innovation Studio, set up by students of the state’s Smart Green Schools.

  • Teachers Demand Better Welfare As FG, States Pledge More Support

    Teachers Demand Better Welfare As FG, States Pledge More Support

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Nigerian teachers have called for improved welfare, better working conditions, career advancement, increased recruitment, safer schools and greater investment in education as the country marked the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.

    The demands came as the Federal Government and several state governments announced measures aimed at improving the teaching profession, including recruitment, training, salary adjustments, infrastructure development and welfare packages.

    The 2026 celebration was held under the theme, “Protecting and Advancing the Status of the Teaching Profession in a Rapidly Changing World.”

    Speaking at the national celebration and President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the profession.

    Alausa said teachers deserved professional respect, opportunities for career development, adequate teaching resources, fair recognition and working conditions that would enable them to perform effectively.

    He also urged teachers to embrace emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, while maintaining professional standards and the human connection necessary for effective teaching.

    The minister said the government would continue working with state governments, professional bodies, labour unions, school administrators, development partners, communities and parents to improve teacher preparation, professional development and recognition.

    He added that ongoing education reforms were focused on improving learning environments, strengthening institutions, developing skills for a changing economy and generating reliable data for policy decisions.

    Teachers Highlight Challenges

    In several states, teachers’ unions used the occasion to draw attention to challenges affecting educators and the education system.

    In Oyo State, the Nigeria Union of Teachers demanded full implementation of the Safe School Programme, the integration of 135 teachers into the Teaching Service Commission, approval of inter-local government transfers and improved opportunities for conversion and career progression.

    The union also called for the release of grants to school heads and payment of outstanding 2025 leave allowances.

    The Oyo NUT Chairman, Hassan Fatai, said the celebration was dedicated to teachers and pupils abducted during an attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.

    The Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Nureni Adeniran, said improving education was impossible without adequately supporting teachers through professional development, good working conditions, career progression and continuous training.

    In Delta State, the NUT raised concerns over teacher shortages, insecurity, inadequate instructional materials and other challenges affecting educators.

    The state chairman, Dickson Poubeni, welcomed the approval of Grade Level 17 career progression for eligible graduate teachers in public primary schools but said more needed to be done.

    He called for improved security in schools, additional recruitment, better funding for school heads and the inclusion of the NUT in governing councils of state-owned educational institutions.

    Responding, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said his administration was committed to improving teachers’ welfare, training and working conditions.

    He said the state had approved Grade Level 17 progression for qualified graduate teachers in public primary schools and introduced a 13th-month salary for public servants, including teachers.

    Abia Orders Payment Of Outstanding Benefits

    In Abia State, Governor Alex Otti directed officials to address several outstanding welfare and employment issues raised by the NUT.

    Otti ordered the re-engagement of teachers who had been retired or disengaged at age 60 but were below the new retirement age of 65.

    He also directed the payment of outstanding check-off dues within seven days and ordered that salaries delayed because of verification issues be paid by the end of October.

    The governor further directed the payment of salary arrears owed to 4,075 newly recruited teachers and ordered officials to complete the harmonisation of outstanding 2021 and 2022 promotions.

    Otti said his administration was also developing smart schools as part of efforts to modernise education.

    The state NUT chairman commended the governor for recruiting more than 9,000 teachers, settling inherited salary arrears and allocating 20 per cent of the annual budget to education.

    Ekiti Announces N70.5m Rewards

    In Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji announced N70.5m in cash rewards for outstanding teachers across the state’s 16 local government areas.

    The governor also assured teachers that outstanding emoluments, including leave bonuses, would be addressed.

    Oyebanji announced plans to construct a new state library in 2027 and said the government had recruited 5,530 teachers over four years to address personnel shortages.

    He also cited regular salaries, car and housing loan schemes and other welfare measures as part of the government’s support for teachers.

     Ogun Absorbs 1,500 Interns

    In Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the absorption of more than 1,500 OgunTEACh interns into the mainstream civil service.

    The state government also announced more than N51m in rewards for outstanding teachers, administrators and schools.

    Abiodun said more than 7,000 teachers had been employed since his administration came into office, while N24bn had been earmarked through the State Universal Basic Education Board for critical education infrastructure.

    The Ogun NUT commended the government for teacher recruitment and the implementation of promotions dating from 2016 to 2024.

    The union also welcomed the removal of the ceiling that previously prevented primary school teachers from progressing beyond Grade Level 16.

    Ondo Focuses On Digital Education

    In Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa called for increased investment in teachers, saying educators needed adequate tools, dignity and a conducive environment to perform effectively.

    Aiyedatiwa said more than 2,100 teachers were recruited into public primary and secondary schools in 2025, while the government had invested in professional training and school infrastructure.

    He said 43 new classroom blocks were constructed and 75 schools completely renovated in 2025, alongside the provision of furniture and learning materials.

    The governor also highlighted the state’s move towards digital education, including the introduction of artificial intelligence-powered learning tools, smartphones and digital literacy programmes.

    He said teachers were being equipped with laptops as the state prepared students for emerging fields such as robotics and artificial intelligence.

    Edo Recruits 6,000 Teachers

    In Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo said his administration would continue to prioritise teachers’ welfare and education development.

    The governor said 5,000 contract teachers had been absorbed into the state civil service, while 6,000 teachers had been recruited to address staffing shortages in public schools.

    Okpebholo said the government would continue working to ensure that schools, including those in rural communities, had access to qualified teachers.

    Sokoto Raises Salary Concerns

    In Sokoto State, African Democratic Congress governorship candidate Manir Dan’iya called for urgent action over reported concerns about teachers’ salaries, employment security and welfare.

    He urged the state government to clarify reports concerning delays in the payment of September salaries and the removal of some teachers from the payroll.

    Dan’iya also called for regular professional training, adequate teaching materials, improved working environments and clear career progression for educators.

    Kebbi NUT Defends Government

    Meanwhile, the Kebbi State NUT rejected allegations circulating on social media that teachers were being poorly treated by the state government.

    The union chairman, Zaki Sarki SK, described the video containing the allegations as old, edited and misleading.

    He cited the reported increase in teachers’ salaries to N75,000, recruitment of more than 2,000 teachers, construction of classrooms and provision of teaching materials as evidence of government intervention in the sector.

    Atiku Calls For Better Teacher Welfare

    Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, also used the occasion to call for improved welfare for teachers.

    Atiku criticised governments that celebrate teachers annually without providing adequate conditions for them to live and work with dignity.

    He said teachers deserved policies that addressed the cost of living, decent employment and improved working conditions.

    Atiku recalled the role his early teachers played in his life and said the profession should receive sustained government support rather than symbolic recognition on World Teachers’ Day.

    Across the country, the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebrations therefore focused on the need to move beyond appreciation of teachers to concrete measures that improve their welfare, professional status, working environment and capacity to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

  • FG Approves Textbook List, Introduces QR Tracking Codes

    FG Approves Textbook List, Introduces QR Tracking Codes

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Federal Ministry of Education has released the final list of textbooks approved for use in Nigerian schools between 2026 and 2028.

    The ministry announced the release on Monday in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, following the completion of the first phase of the national textbook ranking exercise.

    The approved textbooks cover Primary 1, Primary 4, Junior Secondary School 1 and Senior Secondary School 1.

    According to the ministry, each approved textbook has been assigned a unique Ranking/QR Tracking Code containing information such as the title, author, publisher and year of publication.

    The new identification system, it said, was introduced to strengthen the monitoring of approved instructional materials and improve transparency in their selection, procurement and use.

    The ministry explained that the process of generating and assigning individual tracking codes contributed to the time required to validate and finalise the approved list.

    The exercise was conducted under the supervision of the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, with the final list approved by Alausa.

    The ministry said the national textbook ranking exercise would be conducted in phases, with the second phase expected to cover Primary 2, Primary 5, JSS 2 and SS 2.

    It added that the same tracking system would be applied to textbooks approved under subsequent phases.

    The Federal Ministry of Education urged publishers, schools, education authorities, procurement agencies and other stakeholders to consult the approved list before selecting or purchasing textbooks for the affected classes.

    It said the exercise was part of efforts by the Federal Government to ensure that teachers and pupils have access to relevant, quality and curriculum-aligned instructional materials.

    The ministry also emphasised the need for stakeholders to comply with the approved list in the provision and use of textbooks for the specified classes.

    The complete 2026–2028 list, including the Ranking/QR Tracking Code assigned to each approved textbook, has been made available by the ministry through its designated platform.

  • JAMB Restores CAPS, Sets Admission Deadlines For 2026/2027 Session

    JAMB Restores CAPS, Sets Admission Deadlines For 2026/2027 Session

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has restored its Central Admissions Processing System following a temporary disruption, urging tertiary institutions to accelerate their admission processes.

    JAMB announced the development in a statement on Monday, saying CAPS was “fully restored and is now operational.”

    The board called on institutions to make up for the time lost during the disruption and ensure that admissions are concluded within the approved timelines.

    “With CAPS back online, institutions are urged to accelerate their admission processes to recover lost time and meet the agreed admission deadlines,” JAMB stated.

    The board also advised candidates who receive admission offers to accept them promptly to facilitate the completion of the admission process.

    According to JAMB, public universities are expected to conclude their 2026/2027 admission exercise by October 31, 2026.

    Private universities have until November 30, 2026, while other tertiary institutions have been given December 31, 2026, as the deadline.

    Candidates Asked To Update Results

    JAMB also urged candidates who previously indicated that they were awaiting their examination results to upload or verify their credentials following the release of the 2026 National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination results.

    The board said updating the results would ensure that candidates’ credentials were available for consideration as institutions intensified their admission activities.

    “Following the release of the 2026 NECO SSCE results, candidates who previously awaited their results are advised to upload and/or verify them promptly to ensure their credentials are available for consideration as institutions intensify their admission processes,” the board said.

    JAMB apologised for the inconvenience caused by the temporary CAPS disruption and thanked candidates, institutions and other stakeholders for their patience.

    The board urged all parties involved in the admission process to make use of the restored platform and complete the necessary procedures before the respective deadlines.

  • JAMB Allows One-Time SIM Swap, Email Change for Candidates

    JAMB Allows One-Time SIM Swap, Email Change for Candidates

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has lifted its restriction on changing candidates’ registered telephone numbers and email addresses, providing a new option for those who have lost access to their original credentials.

    The revised policy takes effect from Monday, September 21, 2026, according to a statement by JAMB’s Acting Director of Public Affairs and Protocols, Dr Fabian Benjamin.

    Under the new arrangement, candidates who have lost their registered SIM cards or can no longer access their registered email accounts may apply to update the details through a verification process.

    JAMB explained that the earlier ban was introduced because of security concerns surrounding changes to candidates’ registered contact information.

    The board, however, said improvements in identity authentication and biometric verification have strengthened its ability to process such requests while protecting candidates’ profiles from fraud and unauthorised access.

    It said the policy review was necessary to prevent genuine candidates from being disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control, particularly when they need to access their profiles for subsequent Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination processes.

    Despite the relaxation, JAMB said the service would be subject to strict authentication requirements.

    The board also stressed that each candidate would be permitted to use the SIM swap and/or email change service **only once**.

    The service will be available exclusively at designated JAMB Computer-Based Test centres, including state offices where applicable.

    Candidates seeking the service must provide their new GSM number and/or email address, as well as a duly executed court affidavit that has been scanned and is ready for upload.

    ### How to change the registered details

    Candidates are required to log into their JAMB e-Facility profiles using their existing credentials, including their email address, registration number or profile code.

    They should then select **“SIM Swap/eMail Change Payment”** from the menu and pay the prescribed fee.

    After payment, the candidate is expected to visit a designated JAMB CBT centre and access the **SIM Swap/eMail Change Quicklink**.

    The candidate will enter the profile code or existing GSM number and select **“Fetch Details”**.

    Biometric verification will then be conducted before the candidate selects the service required, whether GSM number only, email address only, or both.

    The new telephone number and/or email address will subsequently be entered, while the scanned court affidavit will be uploaded before the candidate clicks **“Update”**.

    A confirmation message will be displayed if the change is successfully completed.

    JAMB advised candidates to use the facility only for genuine cases and warned against patronising unauthorised agents or outlets.

    The board said the revised policy was aimed at maintaining the security of candidates’ records while making its services more accessible to genuine candidates facing difficulties with their registered contact details.

  • JAMB Adjusts 2027 UTME Arrival, Exam Time Over Safety Concerns

    JAMB Adjusts 2027 UTME Arrival, Exam Time Over Safety Concerns

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has revised the arrival and examination times for candidates taking part in the first session of the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

    Under the new arrangement, candidates are expected to arrive at their designated Computer-Based Test centres by 7:30 a.m., instead of the earlier 6:30 a.m. schedule.

    The examination will now begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m.

    JAMB announced the adjustment in its weekly bulletin released in Abuja, explaining that the decision was prompted by safety and logistical concerns associated with candidates travelling to examination centres in the early hours of the morning.

    The board said the concern was particularly significant for candidates who live far from their assigned centres and may be required to leave their homes before dawn to meet the previous arrival time.

    According to JAMB, the decision followed deliberations at its 2026 Management and IT Retreat held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, from September 6 to 11.

    The retreat considered concerns raised by members of the public about the challenges candidates could face while travelling in the early hours, particularly those coming from distant locations.

    JAMB said the later arrival time was expected to improve the safety and convenience of candidates and potentially reduce absenteeism linked to difficulties with early-morning travel.

    The board, however, said other examination sessions would continue to operate under the established scheduling arrangements.

    The retreat brought together JAMB management, state coordinators, heads of outstation offices and other relevant stakeholders to consider measures for improving the efficiency, safety and credibility of the UTME.

    The participants also reviewed ways to enhance the overall examination experience as the board prepares for the growing scale and logistical demands of the exercise.

    Although the 2027 UTME is still months away, JAMB said preparations had commenced, with the board working to implement lessons from previous examinations and decisions reached during the retreat.

    It said the objective was to provide a more efficient, seamless and candidate-friendly examination.

    JAMB urged candidates and members of the public to take note of the adjustment and await further official communication on the full 2027 UTME timetable and other examination arrangements.