The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • How YABATECH students combine studies with business to survive

    How YABATECH students combine studies with business to survive

    Students at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) have found various means of survival with what they termed “side hustle” amid economic hardship. From fashion work to selling of phone accessories, to attending to customers in bars, they are trying to stay afloat with their increasing needs and wants, FARUQ DUROSINMI (YABATECH) reports

    In response to the prevailing economic hardship,  students at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) are increasingly turning to part-time “hustles”  to sustain themselves while pursuing their academic goals.

    From tailoring and baking to digital services and phone accessory sales, students across departments say juggling side businesses with school work has become a necessary part of survival.

    Chinaza Okoye, a final-year Business Administration student, works as a fashion designer.

    “Sometimes I sew all night if I have a deadline. After that, I quickly clean up and attend lectures. It’s tough, but there’s no alternative,” she said.

    Similarly, Oluwadamilola Adeniran, an HND II Mass Communication student, offers social media management services to small businesses.

    “I taught myself how to use Canva and manage Instagram pages. I  charge N5,000 per client monthly. That’s how I pay for data and assignments,” she said.

    Idris Bello, a Mechanical Engineering ND II student, sells phone chargers and accessories outside his hostel.

    His words: “At first it was awkward selling to classmates, but the money keeps me going. I even send part of it home to help my family.”

    Mariam Sule, a Computer Science student, sells homemade cupcakes on campus.

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    “I cry sometimes when business clashes with schoolwork. But I have to keep pushing. My mum is a widow, and I can’t afford to relax,” she said.

    While these students are finding ways to cope, the workload is affecting their mental and physical well-being. Many report poor sleep schedules, fatigue, and struggles with academic performance.

    “One of my friends fainted during exams. He was working at a bar till 2 a.m. and still attended 8 a.m. lectures daily. His body just gave up,” a student said.

    Staff members are also expressing concern about the increasing pressure students face.

    “We see students coming late to class, mentally drained, or unable to concentrate.They are hardworking, but the burden is too much,” said  Mrs. Ronke Adesina, a senior lecturer at the School of Communication.

    She urged the institution to create skill hubs, mentorship programmes, and platforms to support student entrepreneurs.

    Despite the pressure, many students view their hustles as valuable life experiences that teach them discipline and practical skills.

    “I may not sleep well,  but I’ll graduate with both a certificate and real-world experience,” a student said.

    YABATECH students continue to show resilience, finding ways to survive and thrive in the face of economic difficulty. Their determination reflects a larger national trend: Nigerian youths adapting, innovating, and pushing forward—despite the odds.

  • I wanted to prove a point, says UDUS best graduate

    I wanted to prove a point, says UDUS best graduate

    Born out of wedlock and tended by her mother alone, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) best graduating Nursing student, Sarah Ayashim, shares the highs and lows of her academic journey and what motivated her to strive for excellence. WONDERFUL ADEGOKE (UDUS) reports.

    Sarah Ayashim, an indigene of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area in Kaduna State, graduated with a First Class from the Department of Nursing Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) in the 2023-2024 session. With a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.61 on a scale of 5, she was adjudged  the best graduating Nursing student of the university.

    I was determined to achieve feat

    When I got to UDUS, I found out that none of our Christian colleagues had ever graduated with a FirstClass. Some started off well, but along the line, something would happen and they’d drop off.

    That narrative made me more determined to be an ‘A’ student. I said to myself, ‘If only one person will get an A, it has to be me.’

    I knew I was close, but didn’t know how close — yeah, I was on First Class, but there were also a few others too  in my class that were close.

    I believed it would be one of us.

    I wanted to study Human Medicine

    I didn’t initially want to study Nursing, I wanted to study Human Medicine. However, after I couldn’t gain admission with my first JAMB in 2017, I applied to study Nursing at the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Kafanchan, because I didn’t want to stay idle. I wrote the exam again in 2018 and applied to UDUS, having gained interest in the profession. Luckily, I got the admission.

    Being a single mom, my mother was initially upset with my decision. She really wanted me to become a doctor and was worried about me going far north, especially with the security concerns. But despite all that, she supported my dreams.

    Challenges encountered

    The journey was not a smooth ride. I faced quite a lot of challenges. During my clinicals, while other students went on break in 200-Level, I was just recovering from a surgery which broke me down. Yet, I still had to attend ward rounds and keep up with studying.

    I  honestly don’t know how I pulled through. I just feel that my motivation drove me to put in the best I could. I’m not sure how I managed to do it all. I just put in my absolute best in all I did.

    In 400-Level, I also faced financial setbacks when my mother lost her job.

    Nursing is a demanding course, and there’s usually not enough time to juggle side hustles, which made things tougher.

    My driving force

    Being that child who was supposed to be terminated, that child who was deemed useless. I just wanted to prove a point, because in today’s society, once you mention children born out of wedlock, the narrative is usually that we’re useless. 

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    So I wanted to prove that yes, I’m the child of a single mother, but I’m not useless. My existence is not useless. That was my highest driving force. 

    I wanted to show my dad that I’m not a useless child. I wanted him to, at least once in his life, be proud of me. I wanted to make my mom happy, to let her know that all the sacrifices and struggles weren’t a waste.

    When I got to UDUS, I discovered something very important: consistency is key. Those little consistent efforts add up to make a big difference.

    I started reading early in the semester, as soon as lectures began. I also understood myself: what reading times worked best for me, what limits I could push my brain to. I read for six hours. Two hours interval during the day. Used quality time for reading.

    What really distinguished me was that I always took concise notes in class.  If you pay close attention, some lecturers  focus heavily on a particular subtopic, and if you’re observant, you’ll know there’s no escaping questions from that area.

    Getting good grades

    I started having good grades from 100-Level. Once I hit it in 100-Level, I promised myself never to drop. 100-Level: 4.71; 200-Level: 4.73; 300-Level: 4.71; 400-Level: 4.64; 500-Level: 4.61.

    Advice for  students

    Start early, don’t follow the crowd; do what works best for you, and strive to push beyond limits.

    Future aspirations

    I see myself going into lecturing. I would like to share my experience with younger professionals so they understand that Nursing isn’t just about learning or working in a hospital — there’s more to that. It’s a calling; something you do every day to improve lives and be the reason someone smiles. 

    I want to represent Nigeria positively through my practice. I aspire to be the empathetic nurse people look forward to meeting. I also want to further my knowledge so I can identify the lapses in our healthcare system and contribute to its improvement.

  • Scholar gives back to community, launches learning hub in Awa Ijebu

    Scholar gives back to community, launches learning hub in Awa Ijebu

    In commemoration of her recent graduation as a 2025 PhD graduate of Babcock in Economics, Dr. Habib Adetutu has launched Palm Tutors Learning Hub in Awa- Ijube, Ogun State to assist children in underserved communities in having free access to learning opportunities.

    Speaking at her graduation ceremony, Dr. Adetutu said the hub would offer a safe and supportive environment where children can study at their own pace, build strong numeracy and literacy skills, and develop godly values.

    The hub, a physical space that brings together everything learned from years of trail, passion and purpose, boast of a free community library, a digital learning space with over 400 math video lessons and monthly valued-based talks that help shape the whole child intellectually, emotionally and morally. 

    “Today’s achievement has been a long time coming, from a scribbled vision on my bed during a summer break in 300 level, to the small steps taken in faith, and eventually the courage to take the vision further,”  she said.

    Tracing the history of Palm Tutors Learning Hub, Dr. Adetutu said, it was “in 2021, the Holy Spirit ministered to her to start the First-2-Nine Teenagers’ Club in Awa-Ijebu. 

    The goal, according to her, was to nurture a generation of teenagers who were not only academically sound but also strong in character, and in 2023 after testing the waters, she got about 50 books to share among the members of the club. 

    “The interest in reading was impressive, but we faced a new challenge as about 3 out of 10 children didn’t return the books, and some returned them in poor condition. 

    “After realizing that the model wasn’t sustainable, Math R-aid was launched the same year to connect children struggling with math to volunteer tutor and the cost of internet data covered by the Palms Tutors, with the support from an Alfred Pop sponsorship. 

    “While the idea was noble, we faced major challenges with poor internet connection and unreliable electricity, making it difficult to sustain,” she said. 

    According to her, through math competitions, school visits, and mentoring sessions, she found that many children had a weak foundation in numeracy, often tied to poor vocabulary development. 

    “It became clear that simply giving them access to video lessons wasn’t enough. Without efforts to strengthen their literacy skills and nurture the will to learn, the impact would be limited. That realization shaped my thinking and led me to take a more holistic approach to supporting learners,” she said.

    A delighted Adetutu recalled that from an idea she penned down to start a tutoring centre that would help children do better in school the vision quickly faded after she spent about four months teaching without pay sometime in June 2008. 

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     “However, the idea resurfaced years later, while teaching Economics 101. About 60% of my undergraduate students struggled with basic math calculations. So, I began creating short math video lessons to help them review foundational concepts. Around the same time, my daughter started Grade One. I noticed that foreign educators created most of the available math videos. I wanted something more relatable, lessons that made math concrete using accents and examples that the average Nigerian child could connect with.

    “What began as a simple passion to support my students and engage my daughter, found wide acceptance during the COVID-19 pandemic. That year, I launched the Times Table Mastery Course, which has since helped over 2,000 learners confidently master the multiplication tables. Since then, I’ve created over 400 math video lessons, covering topics across the primary and secondary school syllabus, all designed to make learning math more accessible and relatable for Nigerian students,” she added.

    She therefore called on well-meaning Nigerians, corporate organisations and the government to be part of the story by either sponsoring a child’s leaning journey, providing Maths learning kits computers, learning gadgets books, reading resources, solar-powered electricity for consistent study time, staff salaries and other operating cost among others.

    “Anyone passionate about education, youth empowerment or community development is free to also mentor student, facilitate a monthly character talk, train students or staff in basic digital skills,” she urged.

  • YABATECH’s Governing Council establishes Centre for Peace & Conflict Resolution 

    YABATECH’s Governing Council establishes Centre for Peace & Conflict Resolution 

    By Joy Anyanwu, YABATECH

    The Governing Council of Yaba College of Technology has marked its one year in office with impactful projects  and creation of the Centre for Peace and  Conflict Resolution for the college.

    Prof. Funso Afolabi, the Council Chairman, noted that the council since its inauguration and assumption of duty in July, 2024, ushered in a new era of institutional renewal, strategic foresight, and collaborative leadership, played advisory and policy-focused reforms across academic programming, infrastructural development, transparency, and governance.

    This one-year milestone, he said, marks a turning point for the Nigeria’s premier tertiary institution, as it transitions into a model of innovation, inclusion, and performance-based management.

    Upon assuming office,  Afolabi said the council emphasized inclusion, accountability and forward-thinking leadership which was formalized with a developed Roadmap for institutional advancement at a retreat. 

    The retreat, he said, prioritised five key areas of governance modernization, curriculum innovation, funding diversification, research collaboration and student-centred policy-making. The framework underpins many of the institution’s recent developments and accolades.

    “Through the strategic direction of the Council, the college has secured accreditation for eight new Higher National Diploma programmes from the National Board for Technical Education. 

    “These include: Mechatronics Engineering, Agribusiness, Marine Engineering, Polymer Technology and Pest Management. 

    “These new programmes align with Nigeria’s development needs in agriculture, technology and marine sectors.

    “Working closely with the management team led by Rector, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, the Council has championed initiatives to boost employability through partnerships with leading ICT and vocational training bodies; the Council Chairman professed.

    Within the one-year period, Yabatech emerged as the highest-ranking polytechnic in a national performance evaluation. The Council attributed the achievement to a combination of strong leadership, improved discipline, policy compliance, and strategic innovations implemented across the college strata,” he said.

    In terms of academic culture, the council, Prof. Afolabi said, worked with the college management to re-emphasize professionalism, time consciousness, improved dress codes, and compliance with academic calendars and regulations, efforts aimed at restoring discipline and pride in institutional identity.

    He added that in research, entrepreneurship, and innovation, the Governing Council supported the work of two major Centres, the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Development, and the Folawiyo Entrepreneurship Centre. 

    “The College also launched an Innovation Hub, focused on driving creativity, digital enterprise, and technological experimentation, particularly among students in science, engineering, and ICT disciplines. In addition, an all-girls tech hub was established in partnership with UNICEF, aimed at promoting female inclusion in science, technology, and innovation

    “To promote social impact, the Council facilitated several Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, which include the Albasar Free Eye Outreach, which provided medical support to hundreds of community members; capacity-building workshops for technical and vocational educators; and the creation of a digital skills training hub at the Computer Village in Ikeja.

    “On student welfare, the council approved the Work-and-Study Programme designed to support students facing financial difficulties. The initiative allows indigent students to take up part-time work opportunities within the College while continuing their academic programmes.

    “Staff motivation also received significant attention as the Annual Productivity Award was institutionalized during the year to recognize and reward outstanding contributions by staff.

    In terms of infrastructure, the college witnessed improvements in lecture halls, laboratories, water systems, and electricity supply across both campuses,” Afolabi said.

    He also said  that the council worked with management to upgrade learning environments, acquire new teaching equipment, and restore key utilities to full function. In addition, several road projects and renovation works were either completed or ongoing during the period.

     Afolabi confirmed that both manpower and material resources have been strengthened in anticipation of the upgrade of the college to a University of Technical and Vocational education. He explained that the College has scaled up capacity in research, improved academic infrastructure, and aligned its programmes with national university education benchmarks.

    “We believe we have laid a strong and credible foundation for the take-off of YABATECH as a university, we have strengthened internal systems, improved accountability, and enhanced human capital. Our vision is clear, and our direction is deliberate,” he added.

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    He added that the Council is optimistic about the College’s future and remains committed to sustaining reforms that will further raise the standard of academic and institutional operations.

    As the Council enters its second year in office, members reaffirmed their resolve to consolidate on gains made, support further innovation, and ensure that YABATECH remains one of Nigeria’s leading centres of learning, innovation, and community impact.

    The Governing Council has backed the college’s infrastructure drive and research visibility.  New laboratories, innovation hubs and digital classrooms have been established. The Council has supported the institution’s partnership-focused programme, A Day with Industry Partners, which has brought together companies that promote student internships, research collaboration and professional engagement, strengthening the bridge between academia and industry.

    Prof. Afolabi said that in the year under review, Yabatech was named Best Tertiary Institution in Tourism Education in Lagos State, describing the award as a testament to the institution’s sustained commitment to quality and relevance.

    The many achievements of the Council, the chairman, attributed to the visionary leadership of Abdul and the management  ranging from securing approvals for strategic hires to advising on capital projects and ensuring policy compliance, the synergy between Council and management has become a model of cooperative governance in Nigerian higher education.

     Afolabi said the council remains focused on guiding the institution through her transformation with strategic clarity, academic integrity and shared purpose as Nigeria continues to undergo educational reform under the Presidential Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that  the college is well-positioned for its long-awaited transition to university status. 

  • Babcock produces 217 doctoral students

    Babcock produces 217 doctoral students

    By Joy Aikorogie, Babcock

    No fewer than 217 doctoral students has been produced by Babcock University in the 2024/25 academic session. Among them are candidates from across Nigeria and Africa spanning different socio-political sectors, two international students from Liberia and Rwanda, current vice president of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and a 71- year-old man,  Dr Bolaji Federick Olusegun.

    President/Vice Chancellor, Prof.  Ademola  Tayo noted that that the hooding ceremony represented the culmination of a “long, arduous quest that demonstrated resilience and hope”.

    He urged the doctoral graduates  to use their intellectual capital to create systems that works.

    “You who are here are the forerunners of a future not only for you alone but for your children, for your nieces and nephews, for your friend’s children and the next generation that deserves our respect and attention”, he stated.

    Professor Tayo also added that “as holders of PhD, you have tools to contribute to global peace, security and prosperity,, and through research , innovation and collaboration you can help forge solutions that reach far beyond our shores.

    According to him, being part of the Babcock academic community was an acceptance to be part of a network of scholars aspirated to transform lives through quality education of the minds and hearts.

    While congratulating them, Professor Tayo urged them to be part of the catalyst for positive change.

    You have the capacity for immense achievement not the least of which is to support positive change in society.

    “No doubt,   you will face certain challenges but no matter the disappointment you may encounter, true success and happiness will come if you have only one goal to fulfill the highest truthful expression of yourself as human being in your chosen path.

    An elated   Olusegun said:  “I just want to prove that there is no time you can’t purpose to run after excellence. You don’t have to rot away, I just want to serve as a source of encouragement to the younger generation, that you can challenge yourself, you can challenge the status quo to get better and there is no limit to learning as well”.

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    He said that he started pursuing law at a relatively old age when he was about retiring from the banking sector.

    Olusegun said though he had his first degree in law from the Lagos State University in 2004 at 50 and his Master’s Degree as well from the same university in 2014, when he was 60 years old  he still enrolled for his doctorate degree at Babcock University about four years ago.

    The lawyer however called for a change of orientation among the workers of the government-owned universities as they tend to treat their students in a way not too deserving and friendly.

    Olusegun  said:  “I attended public universities; the University of Ibadan where I studied Economics and Lagos State University for my first and second degree in Law and I have also attended a private institution.

    “I can say that the ball games are different. Private institutions are more friendly but for the public universities may be it is because the people there are government workers they feel that they can treat you as they want but that should not be and I think there should be reorientation so that people could be encouraged to want to study.”

  • Young People Are Talking to Each Other About Their Hopelessness: Are We Listening?

    Young People Are Talking to Each Other About Their Hopelessness: Are We Listening?

    Across the world, more young people are struggling with suicidal thoughts than ever before. Whether in the U.S., Australia, or Nigeria, mental health issues among teenagers and college students are rising at an alarming rate. 

    While many governments have tried to respond with more mental health funding and professional services, a critical truth is often overlooked. When young people feel hopeless, they don’t go straight to a therapist. They usually turn to their friends first.

    More young people are living with despair, and the feeling of hopelessness has become a quiet epidemic. From the United States to Nigeria, from Australia to the United Kingdom, mental health crises among adolescents and college students are not just rising, but surging.

    The headlines often tell us about suicide statistics and overburdened mental health services. What they don’t tell us is where the real conversations are happening. When young people are at their lowest, they’re not rushing to therapists or counselors. 

    They often turn to the person sitting next to them, their friends, peers, and classmates. In a large-scale systematic review encompassing 23 studies and nearly 19,000 participants, Pearl Oladele’s work, a PhD researcher at Washington State University and her research team intuitively uncovered what many young people already know: peer-led mental health support works. When students are trained to recognize signs of suicidal ideation, listen without judgment, and connect with peers or friends to help, the result is not just awareness. It’s an intervention. It’s connection. It’s life-saving.

    Rather than seeing mental health support as something that must come from professionals alone, this research challenges schools and policymakers to think differently. Trained students, peers embedded in the social world of those struggling, can become trusted first responders. These peer-led programs are not just effective; they are deeply human, flexible enough to work both in-person and online, and adaptable to cultural differences. In environments where these programs are active, students are more likely to speak up, and their classmates are more likely to notice.

    Oladele’s study builds on a growing body of research and uses the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide as its framework. This theory, developed by Thomas Joiner, explains suicidal behavior through the lens of social disconnection, feelings of being a burden, and a learned ability to overcome the fear of death. Crucially, two elements, thwarted belonging and perceived burdensomeness, can be addressed through peer relationships. When students feel seen and supported by their friends, the feeling that they don’t belong or are a burden begins to fade. This is where prevention begins, not in silence or solitude, but in relationship.

    The study, which spanned peer-reviewed research from 2019 to 2023, included data from students as young as 14 and as old as 50. The findings are not abstract. They point to real changes, reduced stigma, increased suicide literacy, and stronger feelings of social support. Peer-led interventions don’t rely on waiting for a crisis. They encourage early action, emotional literacy, and openness. They make mental health part of everyday life, not a hidden emergency.

    For many young people, especially in places where mental health resources are scarce or stigmatized, peer-led support may be the only support they trust. In a real sense, Oladele’s research has particular relevance globally because the issue of young people’s suicidal ideation is a global issue, and sometimes, professional help is unavailable or avoided due to social pressure. But a friend, a trained, caring friend, is within reach. That makes all the difference.

    This study is more than an academic exercise; it’s a call to action. Schools should not treat suicide prevention as a one-time seminar or a checkbox on a policy form. It should be woven into the curriculum. Mental health should be taught like math or literature, as a subject that matters, a skill to be practiced, and a conversation to be had.

    The message from young people is clear. They are already talking to one another about their pain, offering support, staying up late on the phone, checking in after class, and sending messages that say, “Are you okay?” What they need from adults like educators, leaders, and policy makers is not to be told what to do but supported in what they’re already doing.

    Help doesn’t always come from a clinic or a hotline. Sometimes it comes from a classmate who notices a change in your voice. Sometimes it comes from a friend who doesn’t turn away. And sometimes, that’s what saves a life.

    The question we must all ask ourselves is not whether young people are in crisis. We already know they are. The question is: are we ready to listen to what they’re telling each other, and build systems that finally listen, too?

  • Foundation, Google train visually-impaired students, others on AI, Android tools

    Foundation, Google train visually-impaired students, others on AI, Android tools

    By Abike Sanusi

    The Christ’s Outreach on Disabilities (CODISA) Foundation has partnered Google to train over 30 visually-impaired students including those from University of Lagos (UNILAG), National Association of Visually-Impaired Students (University of Lagos Chapter), Anglo Nigerian Welfare Association for the Blind, Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind and other individuals empowered by the  foundation.

    The training was on effective use of  Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Android devices to improve their lives and make them less dependent.

    Google staff,CODISA members and other visually- impaired individuals attended the training.

    Speaking at the event, Codisa Leader  Prince Olaoluwa Awojoodu, noted that the training was informed by the need to assist visually- impaired individuals to be independent and  improve their access to general services.

    “This training is  for the  visually-impaired  for the Android device. So, for example, if I’m going to train someone that is hearing-impaired, it will not be the same training, because they can see the Android phone, these ones cannot see it.

    So it’s about how do they attain  effective use, that’s the focus of this training,” he said.

    He underscored the commitment of the foundation to transforming lives, stating that it had impacted over 10,000 people that have special needs since it was established in 1984.

    “So we deal with 40 homes as of today.  We have 40 homes that we sponsor and we have been doing this for over 40 years,” he added.

    Director Google West Africa Region,Olumide Balogun, expressed delight to be in partnership with CODISA to carry out the technology training to help  visually-impaired persons to  have access to their phone, artificial intelligence in a  way that it can benefit their life, their purpose and by extension, the society.

    “The team here at Google, we’re always looking for where we can really step in and support and make a meaningful difference.

    “So Google Serve is an activity that we carry out every year. Where we think about our communities and say, where can we serve? Where can we go physically, not just from the office, but where can we go physically and serve.

    And for us, you know, we just thought it was a natural fit for us to come and spend time with our brothers and our sisters and really bring the power of technology to them.

    So we’re very excited to be here doing this training today,” he said.

    Google Search Partnerships Lead for Sub-Saharan Africa, Ugochi Agoreyo, who took the group through sessions on utilising their phones and AI effectively, explained that

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    the practicals would help them to navigate their phones through talking back to the phones, as opposed to using hand prompts and improve their everyday life  with Android devices  and AI.

    “We’ve introduced them to some accessibility tools on their Android called Voice Access, Reading Mode, and TalkBack. This can help them to access their devices and control their devices through voice access, through Reading Mode, help them read their screens with Reading Mode on Android, and then TalkBack also helps them to navigate their phones through talking back to the phones, as opposed to using hand prompts.

    “We’ve also introduced them to how AI can support them in learning and in navigating their environment, the environment around them.

    So for that, we introduced them to Gemini, Gemini 2.5 Flash, which has an audio ability for them to find information from anywhere around the world by just talking into the Gemini app.

    “The second thing on Gemini 2.5 flash is called Gemini Live which helps them navigate their environment around them. So once they activate Gemini Live and activate the camera it becomes their eyes. They can ask it to scan the room and tell them what it sees. It can help them read anything that the eye sees in the environment like signs so that they are safe and understand where they’ve gotten into,” she added.

    Olumide Oladimeji, a 300-Level Political Science student at UNILAG, praised the facilitators for bring his age long dream to reality,adding the training has opened his eyes to important things.

    “It’s a wonderful one. In fact, the thought of Google having to come here has been one of my lifelong dreams. I’ve really, really been hoping that I would be a consultant, an accessibility consultant, working with Google, having to bring about new features and accessibility,” he stated.

  • Mixed feelings as ABSU students resume

    Mixed feelings as ABSU students resume

    For students at Abia State University (ABSU), resumption comes with mixed feelings. They are torn between excitement and apprehension– excited not only because they can’t wait to finish their programmes; but the freedom they have; while for others apprehension comes from the inclement economic situation of the country and the issue of insecurity. CALEB CHIEMERIE OKECHUKWU(ABSU) reports.

    As the gates of Abia State University (ABSU) creaked open this week, it wasn’t just a return to classrooms; it was a return to freedom for some, and a reluctant march back to reality for others. The university grounds, once deserted during the break, now hum with the chatter of students dragging boxes, bargaining with bike men, and reuniting with friends in joyous hugs.

    The new academic session has brought with it a curious mix of emotions; excitement, anxiety, and sheer apprehension. For many ABSU students, the feeling is like standing at the edge of a cliff – thrilled about the view ahead, but equally terrified of the rocky slope below.

    Home chores vs. campus stress: The  difficult choice

    For some students, coming back to school feels like being rescued from a never-ending list of chores at home. “I couldn’t wait to leave,” laughs Onyinye, a 200-Level Mass Communication student. “Every morning was ‘sweep this, wash that, pound yam, fetch water.’ At least here, the only thing I sweep is my small corner in the hostel!”

    Another student, Chidera Eze, echoes the sentiment: “At home, my mum thinks I’m a machine. No time to rest. Here, I can manage my time, even if campus stress is another trouble.”

    For these students, campus, with its chaotic lectures and erratic power supply,  feels like a safe haven. They would rather endure night classes and tight deadlines than face the tyranny of home chores.

    But not everyone shares that enthusiasm.

    The reluctant returnees

    On the other end of the spectrum are students who dragged themselves back to campus with heavy hearts. Their reluctance isn’t because they love chores, but because of the economic hardship that casts a long shadow over the new session.

    “I almost didn’t come back,” confesses Ugochukwu Chika.  a 300-level student. “Transport fare alone is killing. Everything in Uturu is expensive, and we have to pay to charge phones because there’s no electricity. Feeding is another headache. At home, at least food is free,” he added.

    For some, the thought of juggling academic stress, financial struggles, and skyrocketing prices feels overwhelming. While others are uploading fresh hostel selfies, these reluctant returnees are calculating how to stretch N10,000 for an entire month.

    The students who never travelled back home

    There exists another group of students; those who did not travel back home and spent the break in school.

    These students have a different set of reasons for staying back. For some of them, they are freer in school and can do almost whatever they want without having to answer to a parent or guardian, and so decided not to go home where they are carefully monitored and bound by their parents’ rules.  For  others who live in very far places such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano etc., where transport to and fro is very expensive, they decided that they’d be better off using the money that they otherwise would have used for transport to buy foodstuff  and other things and therefore stay back in school.

    The harsh reality of the economy

    Nigeria’s economic downturn has spared no one, and ABSU students are caught in the storm. From skyrocketing transport fares to the jaw-dropping cost of basic food items, survival on campus has become an extreme sport.

    Transport from Umuahia to Uturu, which once cost N800, now hovers around N2000. A plate of rice and stew that used to cost N500 now goes for N1400. Even the  garri which is  the go-to comfort for broke students, has joined the league of luxury items, with five cups selling for  N1000.

    Textbooks, handouts and course materials are also very expensive, and students never seem to buy enough. The addition of rent, buying water, charging of phones, and data subscription gives a perfect recipe for anxiety.

    How students plan to scale through

    Despite these challenges, ABSU students refuse to let hardship steal their dreams. Their mantra? Adapt or go hungry.

    Students are turning ABSU into a hub of micro-enterprises. From POS agents, thrift clothes vendors, makeup artists, and hair stylists to online tutors and graphic designers, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and thriving.

    “I do makeup for girls in my hostel,” says Joy Joshua,  a 200-Level Economics student. “It pays my feeding bills. No shame in hustle,” she added.

    Gone are the days of carefree spending. Students now plan meals like economists. Bulk cooking, roommate contributions, and meal calendars are the new survival hacks.

    “My roommates and I cook together,” explains Samuel Ovie,  a 400-Level Law student. “That way, we save money and avoid wasting food,” he added. Interestingly, financial hardship has birthed an unexpected side effect: renewed academic focus. “Since I can’t afford to go out much, I’ll use the time to study,” said  Uchenna Uzih,  a Political Science student. “If I can’t afford to go out and flex, at least I can use that to study and get good grades,” he added.

    Accommodation and hostel politics

    Accommodation remains a headache. School hostels are overcrowded, and off-campus housing prices have shot high.  A single room that once went for N70,000 is now N150,000 or more.

    “I had to share a self-contained apartment with two friends. Privacy is gone, but what can we do? We just manage,” said Amaka Ezeh, a 300-Level student.

    Security fears still linger

    Beyond financial stress, security concerns loom large. Students worry about theft, phone snatching, and cult-related violence. The Students Union Government has promised tighter security measures, including night patrols and closer collaboration with local law enforcement personnel.

    Still, students are extra cautious.

    Chidera Nwosu, a student said: “Your phone is your lifeline. Lose it, and you’re finished. I now keep mine back in my lodge whenever I go out at night.”

    Mental health struggles: The silent battle

    The stress of juggling academics, financial survival, and insecurity is taking a toll on mental health. Unfortunately, campus counselling services are almost non-existent, leaving many students to vent on social media or confide in close friends.

    Hope amid hardship

    Despite everything, optimism thrives on ABSU’s campus. Students still dream big, laugh loud, and believe better days will come. Their resilience is a story on its own– a testament to the spirit of Nigerian youth.

    “I just tell myself this is temporary.One day, we’ll look back and laugh,” said Chukwudi Udozie,  a 400-Level Optometry student.  As the second semester begins with buzzing hostels, crowded lecture halls, and a share determination to survive, for ABSU students, returning to school is more than just an academic obligation– it’s a balancing act between chasing dreams and dodging economic bullets.

  • CBT: A handshake beyond the elbow

    CBT: A handshake beyond the elbow

    • By Simeon Dosunmu

    No doubt, Computer-Based Testing (CBT) has its merits—efficiency, speed, and scalability. It caters commendably to the swelling ranks of candidates sitting for local and international examinations. For science, statistics, and strictly objective subjects, CBT may shine. But to extend its cold cursor to the warm, word-rich world of the social sciences—Philosophy, Sociology, History—is, to me, a misfit, a mismatch, a misadventure.

    These are disciplines that demand depth, discourse, and daring expression. They flourish in the forest of free writing, where thoughts wrestle with theory and ideas spill with intensity. But alas! Today’s students stutter in speech and stumble in syntax. Many cannot spell their soul, much less script their sense. Writing, that noble vehicle of voice, has been sacrificed at the silicon shrine of speed.

    I recall, with a bittersweet chuckle, the days of Common Entrance Examinations—when multiple choice danced beside essay questions. We scribbled. We strutted. We stammered. But we expressed.

    And we  were not left out of the drama. I remember marking scripts deep into the night, tea in one hand, red pen in the other, and a pile of promising—or perplexing—papers before me. I didn’t just grade—I conversed on paper. My margins were musings:

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    Op! — Out of point!

    Is that what I taught you?

    Over Sabi!

    Fantastic!

    Tell it to the gods!

    These weren’t just comments, they were communion. Sincerely, CBT has denied me my nocturnal gymnastics, that late-night dialogue with developing minds.

    Let’s be clear: I’m not calling for the total annihilation of CBT. No. But I plead for a balanced blend, a hybrid harmony. For the humanities and social sciences, let at least 30 per cent of assessments return to writing—to test not just memory, but meaning; not just facts, but fluency.

    Let’s not let technology trample the tender terrain of thought.

    • •Dosunmu contributed this piece  from Lagos State University (LASU)
  • ‘How genome editing can correct life-threatening ailments’

    ‘How genome editing can correct life-threatening ailments’

    By Christiana Ohimai

    Team Lead Genome Editing Research Group, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos(UNILAG), Prof.  Joseph Minari, has underscored the relevance of genome editing as a solution to genetic disorders, life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, sickle cell, Down syndrome,among others.

    Genome editing, also referred to as gene editing, is a group of technologies that enables  scientists  to change an organism’s deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA), creating room for genetic material to be added, removed, or altered at particular locations in the genome.

    Minari spoke at the opening of  the 2nd edition of the CRISPR Hands-on workshop with the theme: “From  Lab to Life: CRISPR promise for healthcare and hunger solution”. The workshop was held on the UNILAG campus in Akoka, Lagos.

    CRIPR is Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats.

    On the importance of the workshop, he noted that it is meant for students and researchers, adding that it is intended to bring solutions to some  genetic disorders that people think have no remedy.

    Minari said: “So genome editing promises us the potential to actually bring solutions to them.  For example, we have quite a number of genetic disorders or diseases, as the case may be, I’m very sure you heard the testimony of the sickle cell patient that actually took that particular shot and is fine.

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    “And we are training not only our students, people  from other institutions too.  We  even  have lecturers among the participants from research institutes  and  different laboratories.

     ‘‘So, we are trying to train them along this line and then see how we can start up our research along this line using the CRISPR technology to correct several kinds of life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, sickle cell, Down syndrome, and even for different kinds of organ transplants.”

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola,who  was represented by the Dean of Faculty of Science, Prof.  Olayinka  Asekun, expressed delight that the university is  at the forefront of bringing together young scientists, educators, practitioners, and policy thinkers to explore the real-world applications of technologies like CRISPR  and other genome-editing platforms.

    The VC, who declared the event open, expressed optimism that the  workshop would  contribute to a healthier and  more food-secure world.

    She thanked  the organisers, partners, facilitators  and supporters who made the  event possible.

    Assistant professor, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and Co-Director TReND in Africa and Co-founder Gene4All Thomas Auer said: “ For one, DNA’s subunit is used to proteins and find their specific target sequence.  This was developed in 2005, the disadvantage for each target sequence was to modify or engineer these protein subunits.

    “Similarly, negative cases were able to cut a very restricted part of the genome in very  refined segments, So the real revolution came when targeted cases were developed in 2011, so this was a much more modern development that allowed people to quickly modify certain and target certain patients in the genome.”

    Co-Founder and Executive Director Gene4All, Spain Vincenzo Di Donato in a practical demonstration noted that 70 percent of  the human protein  genes are related to zebrafish genes, adding that  84 percent of human diseases genes have zebrafish counterpart, meaning that disease can be modelled  with the small zebrafish larvae.

    “And now we go to the research part, why we use the zebrafish network. And as I said, since this model has been used for a very long time, for basic research,  but for a few years, the advantages of the fish for disease modelling have become very clear.

    “I mean, this is a fish larva, which is very small, which is transparent, and the important  thing is that the conservation, the physiological conservation, developmental conservation is  very high between zebrafish and humans.

    “With this extra development, and since the larvae are transparent, we can observe in a normal specific manner how the fish develop in normal disease conditions,” he said.