Category: Campus Life

By Kayode Alhassan

Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Yaba, Lagos, and MTN Nigeria Communication Plc, have partnered to finance training of youths and students.

The partnership will enable MTN to support and fund the growth of 20  students that will enrol in YABATECH’s  upcoming skill-in-demand project.

The  duration of the partnership is one year which is subject to renewal, in which MTN shall reward the top 10 recipients with mobile phone startup kits worth N345,700.00 each to empower them with the needed tools to start a sustainable business.

Furthermore, MTN shall pay N5.4 million as sponsorship fee which includes; honoraria to facilitators of theoretical training (3months) for 20 students, honoraria to master craftsperson for practical training (3months) for 20 students, transport fare to 20 enrolled students, and full mobile phone related startup kits for 10 students.

The sponsorship fee shall be paid in advance  to the school subject to the provisions of the agreement, while MTN shall withhold the cost for the full mobile phone related startup kits until the top 10 recipients emerge after  project.

The management thanked the telecommunications firms for the kind gesture and partnership.

“The good gesture from MTN gladdens the heart of management, staff and students of the college, and the leadership of the school is  full of appreciation to the telecommunication giant, for the benevolence act and for the partnership of progress,” it said.

Christopher University,Mowe, Ogun State, has concluded plans for its convocation ceremony with the grand finale on Saturday, March 25 on its campus.

Speaking at a briefing to announce activities lined up for the event, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oyelana Olatunji Afolabi, noted that a total of 90 students from three sets would graduate.

He said:”The  first set of students resumed studies during the 2016/17 academic session and completed their studies in August 2020,  while the second and third sets resumed classes in 2017/18 and 2018/19 academic sessions.

“We have a total 90 combined graduands, and these are students that have patiently gone through the academic rigours for a period of three to four academic years and were outstanding in their respective academic programmes.”

The VC noted that 15 per cent of students got  First Class, 45 per cent  Second Class Upper, 28 per cent Second Class Lower, while 12 per cent took  Third Class/Pass degree.

Afolabi said the institution was  proud to release them  into the labour market with the optimism that they would prove their worth and contribute their quota to the development of their nation and to humanity in general.

The VC said the institution’s  goal is to be a university  specifically focused on producing entrepreneurs and innovators who can initiate development and transform the landscape of Africa through technological innovation and inventions, independent businesses, and enterprises, and who can be global players in the world economy, politics, and leadership.

On the institution’s major challenges, he said: “We  are not like public universities, you strive to get  everything. Our biggest challenge is funding. The number of students we have tells you  the size of our purse,this reflects on our facilities and infrastructure. We power this campus everyday with generator and we know that  diesel price is  huge. Last year, in a particular month,  we spent N3 million on diesel.”

He  stated that  the convocation lecture scheduled for Friday, March 24,2023, would be delivered  by the senior partner at Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN). The lecture is entitled: “Social re-engineering, justice, ethical re-orientation as panacea for Nigeria’s quest for national integration.”

This Saturday is for award of degrees and presentation of prizes.

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun is the special guest of honour, the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, is chairman of the event.

By Ibrahim Kegbegbe

It always baffles me whenever I hear that after five years in school as a student of Mass Communication and journalism in Nigeria, graduates of journalism are not able to secure  jobs as journalists in esteemed media houses.

The common clause among the youths, “there is no job in the country”, has made some ignorant parents and stakeholders never think of the real cause of the unemployment rate in the profession.

The absence of Industrial Training exercises for the student journalists, while they were still in school, is the cause of the mess.

There are jobs in the country and no reputable media houses would ever place an advertisement in getting skilled journalists. They do look for competent journalists through referrals.

How would a graduate of Mass Communication or Journalism be referred to a reputable medium, if he or she has not engaged himself or herself in industrial training? This would be so because it is through one medium or a practising journalist that a prospective journalist would be engaged if need calls for that.

Beyond referral, industrial training helps students to update and master their journalistic skills, new concepts, technology and  latest advancements.

Moreover, it also builds confidence and  helps in taking up complicated projects in journalism easily.

Industrial Training exposes serious students to the real world of journalism be it print or broadcast.

Nowadays, when students are assigned to media houses for their  training, the less focused ones  among them would prefer to use the dedicated period for unrelated jobs to earn money.

I  have always been an advocate for Industrial Training among junior colleagues in any college of Mass Communication, especially in my school, the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, because my being focused; determined to be a respected journalist and taking training seriously has taken me beyond my imagination as a student journalist.

The experience I had in The Nation  and the Daily Trust as an IT student has prompted me to explain the reason students should take IT seriously.

Mrs. Patricia Kalesanwo, the present Registrar of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, who was the Student Affairs Officer of the school in 2019 gave me a letter to The Nation Newspaper for my  Student’s Industrial Works Experience Scheme (SIWES).

So, at The Nation Newspaper, I was able to practise what I had been taught in the class for a year.

As a result of having positive plans for my career, I was told to go to Oshodi after heavy rainfall to interview the traders and residents of that vicinity on July 16, 2019  and I had my first byline the next day  with the headline: “Oshodi residents, traders lament over  flood”.

Moreover, as a student who had several bylines through The Nation Newspaper, when Daily Trust Newspaper requested that the authority of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism  to send three students to its Lagos bureau for Industrial Training (IT), the Deputy Provost of the school, Dr Dele Omojuyigbe, told me and two more students to go for the training. Before then, I had just completed my  National Diploma (ND).

My experience at Daily Trust was interesting because most of the stories I wrote were features  stories. I  had been taught how to write them  in school by Dr Boye Ola.

The regional editor of Daily Trust, Mr. Abiodun Alade, tried a lot in my career and my first features story : “Lekki Conservation Centre: Protecting wildlife, mangrove forest from urban threat” was a joint byline: Abiodun Alade, Ibrahim Kegbegbe.

The article brought me  limelight as I placed  fifth  in a national contest with it. The nominees for the contest were selected from 61 entries submitted by student journalists from various institutions nationwide in honour of Lekan Otufodunrin, Executive Director of Media Career Development Network, Nigeria’s foremost media career coaching and mentoring organisation.

So, the experience I gathered at the two media houses, The Nation Newspaper and the Daily Trust, has made me a whole, diligent and trusted  student journalist in our nation.

By Adeyanju Eniola Oluwatoyin

The redesigning of the naira notes caused many problems for citizens, most especially  students. The new notes are scarce. Thus, the painful recourse to  cashless policy in the country.

Before the Presidential Election when  students wanted to go home for vacation, it was tough. Many  risked their lives.Though, some  drivers were kind enough to accept money  transfer while some did not.

As  a student, I found it difficult to attend classes.  I could not attend my matriculation ceremony,I had to stay in my hostel. I could not get other things at the market because the market women  would not  accept money transfer. Feeding was also very difficult.

Quite unfortunately, some students at Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ogun State, had to board a truck  to travel  to Lagos. It seemed they did not care about their safety – all they wanted was to get home before the  election.What if the truck had an accident on their way to Lagos? Who are we to blame for it? Obviously, the citizens would blame the government.

Citizens were hard hit, they starved despite having money in their accounts. Tension rose. Banks were vandalised.

An Access Bank building at Taiwo Street in Ilorin also got vandalised. Some bank officers had to use ladder to escape through the back fence. The PoS agents also increased their charges to withdraw money because most of them had to go to the bank and queue  before getting the new notes.

A worker, Mr. Ojo Johnson Ademola, slumped and died on  a queue on  February 21, 2023 at Lagos State University Wema Bank. It was really terrible.

Now that  the Supreme Court has ordered that the old N200, N500 N1000 notes should remain in circulation till December 31, 2023, it is hoped that the Federal Government would comply with the directive this time round and ease the pains of innocent citizens.

• Adeyanju wrote in from Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Kwara State

By Adegeye Oluwatoyosi

No man is born an accident—even those whose birth their parents did not intend. God has a definite purpose for all his creatures. You are alive this moment because God desires it to be so. The scripture says in Jeremiah 1:4-5:

“Then, the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

That scripture gives an insight into who the mastermind of man’s  existence is-the Almighty God. I can imagine if God had an encounter with every man on this matter, he would say to each of them, “Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee.”

Creation is an act of God. For his own glory, he brings into existence everything in the universe. God had a purpose for creating us.

Staying conscious of this fact about God and one’s purpose would influence how one invests one’s time, spend money, use talents, among others.

God also intends that our existence would help solve a problem in the world. As a matter of fact, there is no one who fulfills God’s purpose without invariably solving a problem.

And God had this in mind when he created man.

Before paper was invented, people wrote on leaves and stones. The invention of paper helped solve that problem and made knowledge materials easily accessible. Someone invented glasses to help visually-impaired people see clearly. Phones are there to solve time and distance problems. And many other such great inventions in the world. We can be a solution to someone’s problem by discovering and living out our purpose in this world.

In  God’s kingdom, we  have a place, a purpose, a role, a problem to solve and a function to fulfill. Solving a problem, fulfilling your purpose and using your gifts work hand in hand; you need to understand the meaning behind your creation so it can make way for you. That  can only be achieved through the revelation of God.

God wants us to introduce people to Christ, bring them to fellowship, help them grow to maturity, discover their place of assignment and send them out to the field to win  souls into the kingdom.

When Jesus healed Peter’s sick mother-in-law, she instantly “stood up and began to serve Jesus,” using her new gift of health to minister to others. We are healed to help others. We are blessed to be a blessing to others. We are saved to serve others, not sit around and wait for heaven.

In the end, our assignment would make way for us if we  can ask God to show us, help us  discover our gifts  and use them effectively for His purpose. Hence, we   can proffer solutions to difficult situations in life. Like Jeremiah, we  were created for a specific purpose, to solve a specific problem. Use your gifts today, and they will make room for you and provoke specific positive changes in your life and of those around you.

•Adegeye wrote in from Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State

By Tunde Adeniyi

Leading global technology company – Huawei, in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing learning in the country through the use of technology.

The company made this known during the Digital Talent Summit co-hosted by Huawei and the Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL).

 According to Huawei’s Vice President of Corporate Communications, Vicky Zhang, the company is proud to be joining forces with UNESCO to better deliver enhanced learning experiences in developing countries through the use of technology.

“Getting the right education is often the key to success in life. As a major player in the technology sector, Huawei feels it is responsible for providing technical skills in all parts of the world, trying our best to include as many people as possible,” she said.

Zhang said Huawei started the Seeds for the Future programme, a sub-project of the National ICT Talent Development, in 2018 by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the company and the government.  She revealed that 10  talented Nigerian students are selected each year for two weeks of ICT development and Chinese culture training.

She added that the programme was   expected to yield significant social impact and contribution that will inspire and help students find new solutions for the future ICT development of the country and help it develop rapidly.

The Director of UNESCO’s Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), David Atchoarena, praised Huawei for its commitment and contribution towards enhancing educators’ use of technology in developing countries.

While inducting the company into the Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL), Atchoarena said, “Our rapidly changing world calls for concerted efforts and strong partnerships to achieve quality education and lifelong learning for all. Huawei’s expertise in innovation in learning will be a great asset to the Global Alliance for Literacy. Collaborative projects like ours will ensure no one is left behind on this journey.”

A beneficiary of Seeds for Future Nigeria, Anthony Oshiobugie Ugheoke, who was also one of the co-hosts of the Digital Talent Summit, described the programme as a life-changing opportunity that has broadened his horizon and changed his perspectives on life, especially as it relates to ICT.

He thanked Huawei for the unique opportunity and urged future programme beneficiaries to make the best use of the learnings to positively impact their lives, the country, and the continent at large.

On the opportunity given to him by Huawei to co-host the summit, Ugheoke said, “I am excited to be nominated to attend the Huawei Digital Talent Summit. This is one chance that I will forever cherish as a young Nigerian to be on a global stage like this and share the stage with giants such as the Director of UNESCO’s Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), David Atchoarena, and the Secretary General of the African Telecommunication Union (ATU), John Omo.

The introduction of shuttle cards at Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, has eased the transportation woes of students at a time the cashless policy is taking its toll on citizens – students inclusive. AYOBAMI AJOSE (KWASU) reports.

Kwara State University KWASU) is known for the luxury and ambience it provides  her students. Improving on this image was the reason for the implementation of shuttle cards.

To make transportation within the school environs easier, the transport unit came up with the idea of students having shuttle cards which they can always use for their movements on campus. The card owner subscribes with his card and pays with it instead of cash. This has proved to be beneficial to the students at a time  the cashless policy is taking its tolls on the citizenry and  students.

A prominent advantage of the shuttle cards is the fact that the shuttle bus service is cheaper compared to other modes of transportation. While other transporters charge N100 per student, the price of the shuttle bus service is N80 per student. This leaves the students with a balance of N20. But most times, the shuttle bus drivers  claim they don’t have N20  to give  students and use this opportunity to deny students their balance when they pay with cash. But with the use of the shuttle cards, students are able to pay exactly the amount that is due and they are able to save the balance in their shuttle cards balance which they can use some other time.

Another importance of the shuttle cards is the unlimited rides the shuttle bus services render within the school environs which are far more than  other transport media since they’re restricted only to the school parking lot. Some students have their departments and lecture sites at considerably distant places from the school park and they tend to trek from the school park to their lecture halls which leaves them with no choice than getting to their lecture halls late. But with the use of the unlimited shuttle buses, they enjoy the luxury of getting to their halls earlier and at a cheaper price.

The only disadvantage associated with shuttle cards is that the number of shuttle buses on campus is relatively low compared to the number of students that are being transported to campus daily. Since students know they have to queue for long minutes and sometimes hours before they gain access to the shuttle buses, they would  rather take other options that are not so comfortable instead of getting late to classes.

A student who craved anonymity said: “The rate at which students purchase the shuttle cards has diminished.  If the school management can look into this and provide more shuttle buses, I believe the transportation issues faced by students will be brought to an end and the purchase of shuttle cards by students will be on the increase.

Lagos State University Acting Head of Department of Linguistics, African Languages and Communication Arts, Dr Titilayo Onadipe-Shalom, has urged the Federal Government to speedily implement the  new National Language Policy  which makes  mother tongue a compulsory medium of instruction for the first six years of education in the country.

In a statement to commemorate this year’s International Mother Language Day, the don tasked the government to surmount challenges that threaten effective implementation of the policy.

She said: “While we acknowledge ongoing efforts by the government to promote indigenous languages by the approval of a new National Language Policy in November 2022 which makes the mother tongue a compulsory medium of instruction for the first six years of education in Nigeria, we seek the speedy implementation of the policy with genuine and committed efforts on the part of the government.

“Lack of instructional materials and qualified teachers, in addition to the multitude of indigenous languages without orthographies pose a serious threat to the implementation of the policy. The government must therefore exude high level of commitment and optimism to surmount these challenges and ensure the effective implementation of the language policy.”

Onadipe-Shalom urged citizens to live up to their cultural responsibility of promoting indigenous languages by preventing them from going into extinction through usage and patronage.

“It  is noteworthy to state that our indigenous languages have the capacities and capabilities to meet the need of all language users.

“Beyond communication and usage, indigenous languages are a consortium of knowledge and ideologies relevant to social and national development.

Therefore, we call on government at all levels to support multilingual education which is necessary to transforming education,” she added.

The don thanked  the Lagos State Government for the promulgation of the Yorùbá Language Preservation and Promotion Law which, according to her  has repositioned the indigenous language among other native languages.

She also hailed the leadership of LASU for the implementation of the  law. This, she said,  has culminated in the establishment of the Centre for Yoruba Studies in the institution and the Senate approval of Yoruba as a compulsory course for LASU students  under the General Nigerian Studies (GNS).

“We beseech other state governments to follow the lead of the Lagos State by enacting Indigenous Languages Protection and Promotion Law to cater for the survival and sustainability of native languages in their respective states.

“Furthermore, we recommend that government at all levels set up trust fund to finance researches geared at documenting native languages across the length and breadth of Nigeria regardless of the meagre number of speakers of the languages  to preserve and ensure the development of these languages,” she said.

Students at Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu, Lagos, are excited at the buses donated by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. SAFIU KEHINDE and ADEBAYO NURUDEEN (LASUSTECH) report.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has started fulfilling promises made to students at the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH). He donated four fairly-used buses to the school earlier this month.

This came few weeks after the students, mobilised by the Students Union Government (SUG) attended the mega rally organised by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Education, Hon. Tokunbo Wahab at Onikan Stadium in Lagos to  support  Sanwo-Olu’s second term ambition.

The 29-seater high capacity buses are in very good condition.

Sanwo-Olu  during a visit to the school August last year, had promised them buses upon request by the former Students Union Government president Balogun Aderemi.

Aderemi had made four  requests on behalf of the students  which included provision of bus, renovation of the SUG building, construction of sporting complex and addressing the speculations surrounding the increment of school fees ahead of the 2022/2023 academic session.

The governor said: “To your president’s request. He has asked for four things. Because I am a daddy that also listens, so I will take each of them quickly.

“The first one is that he said you need a means of transportation from Isolo Campus to Ikorodu Campus. Because I am here today, I will make available two big buses for you. Before the end of September, your buses will be here.

“The second request is that you want me to renovate your Students Union Building. If you go to LASU, they have the biggest Union building in this country. So be patient with me. We will first renovate the current one, but we will take time to come and build a purpose building for your Students Union.

“We are concurrently building eight mini stadia in Lagos. There is one we are building in Igbogbo. But because I am inside your campus, I will work with the office of Sustainable Development Goals and we will see how we can, very quickly, bring a small Sporting Complex into your university.”

He also promised to make  free  Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) available on campus.

However, the students are delighted as they hailed the governor.

A student, Ajagbe Abayomi Sodiq, said it would really help students.

An HND 2 student who simply identified himself as  Emmanuel, also hailed the governor.  He said they had long expected the donation.

Ibaheem Ganiyu, a Banking and Finance student, said:  “It will reduce inconvenience. I don’t think there is any ulterior motive and I am glad he fulfilled his promises.”

Public Relations Officer of the school, Dr Olanrewaju Kuye,urged the students to be grateful to the governor for fulfilling his promise.

“We should be grateful to  the governor for delivering on his promise.Whether new or not new, the buses belong to the state government, the university belongs to the state government , it is just about passing a property  from one sector to another.

“If you recall sometimes, the governor was here to inspect a project–the ongoing administrative block. He did promise that day that he will do. Our governor is talk and do. Whatever he says, no matter the timeframe, he will surely do. He promised two buses, now we have four. That is a plus for us.

The buses will be used by all students; both university students and polytechnic students belong to the state government,” he said.

Students Union Government Public Relations Officer, Hassan Nurudeen, said: “He promised to give out two buses to the institution and we keep following it up. We kept asking them anytime we had the privilege to meet with anyone who we know is influential to that office. We always used that opportunity.

Nevertheless, the  buses are to serve the purposes of conveying students for  academic and special assignments.They are in  good condition and not being new doesn’t mean they are  badly used. The  windows are clean, and the  seats are well fixed.”

President of the National Institute of Mechanical Engineers (LASUSTECH Students Chapter), Olamoyegun Fuad, praised the governor for acknowledging the influence and role of youths in politics.

“It is a good one the governor understands the power of the youth, the strength in the number of Nigerian students which is possible in taking him  out of office or a means of re-electing him. It is a win-win situation for students and the governor. He gets our votes and the buses take care of the transportation need of  students.”

Similarly, the National Union of Lagos State Students’ President (LASUSTECH Chapter), Oduga Fawaz, said though the buses appear fairly used, it is still quite understandable.

For NULASS Public Relations Officer, Hunpe Yeramaren,  the donation was not politically motivated. He lauded the governor for fulfilling his promise.

“The bus is not for campaign, neither for his re-election, he donated it because he made promises and the school and students need it to foster academic excellence,” he said.

Aderibigbe Aishat, a 100-Level  Chemistry student, noted that  she was delighted,though it could have come earlier.

paign-oriented, stressing that the SUG had  been pestering the state government

Another 100-Level student, Ololade Taofeek, said  the donation would make  students support  the governor.

His words: “The students will be anxious and excited to vote for them so they can do more.”

Falae Gbolahan, a Mass Communication student, disagrees that the donation was election-driven.

His words: “Generally, everybody will  think it is for the election because of the timing.  I think he (the governor) is just concerned with the students’ wellbeing. Since it is of students benefit, why won’t he  do it?”

SPY, students mobilise for Sanwo-Olu

Sanwo-Olu Progressive Youth (SPY), has mobilised for Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu in nine local government areas of the state. This was aimed at generating massive votes in Saturday’s governorship election.

The group is a grassroot initiative made up of youths and students.

It organised a door to door campaign by giving palliatives to students, artisans, market women, others.

Convener Ibikunle Sanwo-Olu and co-convener, Olalere Samuel Owoseni, in a statement noted that the governor deserves a second term for his contributions to the development of Lagos and particularly for placing a premium on students’ welfare.

“We toured nine local governments in the state including, Alimosho, Mushin, Iba, Ojo Badagry, among others. Lagos State University students were heavily involved. This was to sensitise  the people on how the governor had impacted students, artisans, market women, entrepreneurs and others. Sanwo-Olu is a lover of youths, students and quality education,hence we had to mobilise youths and students for the campaign.

We want everyone to   come out en masse on Saturday to vote  for him to continue the good job he has been doing,” they said.

Promises made by President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, one of which was that his administration would put an end to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) incessant strike, has elicited mixed reactions from students. While some students doubt the promises, some hope for the best and its fulfilment. EMMANUEL OLUWADOLA (AAUA) reports.

The  President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during his acceptance speech  in Abuja, after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  declared him the winner of the February 25, 2023 presidential election, made some promises to students.

Tinubu promised to work with youths, stressing that   he would pay undivided attention to their education.

“I will pay undivided attention to your education, four years course will be four years course, no more strike, your universities will have autonomy, no more selling of handouts, our lecturers must be authors. I know where it pains you and I believe you will see the reward of your election,” he said.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) last year embarked on a nationwide industrial strike that lasted for eight months resulting from the failure of the government to reach an agreement with the union.

The prolonged strike caused a drastic setback on the academic calendar of  federal and some state universities which joined in the struggle. One of the effects of the strike is the unsavoury occurrence which made a four-year programme become a six-year programme and even more.

According to a report, ASUU has spent over four years on strike since 1999 and if care is not taken it might linger for more years.

However,  students gave their views about the promises while  hoping that the President-elect will fulfill his  promises.

Mohammed Taoheed, a Law student at Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS), Sokoto State,  said it’s a welcome idea if Tinubu will stick to his promise.

His words: “It’s a welcome idea because many  students are tired. I keep missing many opportunities because I’m not a graduate yet. I can’t just wait to be out of the four corners of the university.

“It is  one thing to promise, it is another to fulfill it. The promise, if fulfilled, is a good thing because it will benefit all and sundry. Many firms out there need qualified graduates to work for them, but these students are delayed for years because of the inconsequential demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). 

“I implore Tinubu to keep to this promise so that we can have a prosperous nation.”

Sophia Adinlewa, a 300-Level student of Mass Communication at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko narrated how she was affected by the previous strikes.

“The strikes were unforgettable ones. I remembered that I was admitted for a four-year course, only for (ASUU) to shatter my plans. It’s so annoying to see your colleagues in private institutions graduate before you. At times, it leads one to start learning handiwork. Sometimes after the resumption, reading for exams becomes difficult and the course looks strange to you because of the prolonged strike.

“I’m indifferent about the promise of the President-elect, Tinubu. He’s not some miracle worker, but who knows? V He can surely put things in place, but until I see it happening, I’m not moved by the promises,” she said.

Also, Adefila Ademola Oluwatobi, an Accounting student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), said he has given up on Nigeria’s educational system for some reasons, but towards the promises, positivity should be sustained.

“Well, I feel it’s easier said than done. This is not the first time I would be hearing there would be an end to the endless ASUU strike. I lost trust and belief long ago in Nigeria’s educational system, but then, let’s be positive like I said, it’s easier said than done,” he said.

Peace Oladipo, a Mass Communication student at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) said with Tinubu in power, he will influence policies in favour of students and make the educational system of the country better.

“What I know about Tinubu following his antecedents is that he’s a worker, a strategist and aside from that he loves when things are working. I have seen how the works of his hands are, I mean the organisations he is running, they are working well.

“So, I will say that almost every sector of the government will work with Tinubu in power. About schools, I  believe with the power that Tinubu has as the President, he will be able to influence policies that will favour students and of course, achieve a better life for students.”

She added: “Someone once told me that no matter who emerges as the next president of this country, students will know the difference. The new president will bring in better things and joy for students, not the sorrow and delay they’re experiencing. So, I believe in Tinubu that he will better the lives of students and also make the educational system of this country better when he fully becomes the president.”

Samson Isaac, a 100-Level student of Mathematical Sciences at Bayero University, Kano State, said: “Well, we have experienced so many failed promises as students from our leaders, particularly in Nigeria, so we can’t put our hopes on the promises of anybody, but it’s better to have a positive mindset than a negative. Overall, we pray for a better Nigeria and a good education.

“The strike for me has done more good than bad, it has affected my spiritual and mental growth greatly in a positive way, the only negative thing about the strike is that it has delayed students academically,” he said.

As far as Williams Owoeye, a student at the University of Ibadan (UI) is concerned, where will students get the means to pay back the loans if granted according to promises?

His words: “Where will people get the means to pay back the student loan? Even in the US, they are clamouring for loan relief. None of these things makes sense to me. Also, does operating independently mean privatisation? If not, what purpose will independence serve? It’s a political gimmick at best and I’m certain an average Nigerian student is more aware of his erroneous declaration of eight years for undergraduate studies during one of his campaign rallies than the so-called promises.”

 Opeyemi Oladapo, a student at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, said: “Well, such a statement, I believe, is no doubt a reassuring one as it saves lots of stress and time-wasting in one’s life.

“As a fact, if such a pronouncement is made to give education loans to students, and allow federal universities to operate independently, it should give way to sure  job opportunities after school because such students will be obligated to refund the loan which can only be done if he or she is working and earning well. So, I practically believe that if such a policy holds then we are looking at exponential mindsets towards development,” she said.

Meanwhile, Chika Igba, a student of Mass Communication at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK) said: “I think it’s an empty promise to raise citizens’ hope and get youths’ support. That would be very unlikely but of course, this is a biased point of view because, with the numerous failed promises, I don’t exactly put my hope in what they (the government) say.”

Another student, Richard Aladejana at AAUA is hopeful that Tinubu can halt the incessant strikes plaguing the academic system in the country.

He said: “Well, I will say the promise of no more strikes to me is very much obtainable in a nation such as ours, why because the causes of the incessant strikes have been based on the government not fulfilling promises to the universities.

“When he says there won’t be a strike any more, I think he knows what he is saying because from what we had about him, he has a track record of fulfilled promises.”

Adelaja Oluwasegun of the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at FUTA said: “On hearing his promises for Nigerian students. I wasn’t moved and I’d implore my fellow students not to build on it because it is political. We’ve heard several promises from past presidential candidates with little or no results.

“I believe so much that the President in Nigeria is just like a figurehead, they’re not the one in total control as most people think; so they have very limited impact. The main issue is the laws and political structures that govern the activities of the president. The president can budget $1 billion  for a project, but the Senate  can decide to cut it down to S500 million or less which directly/indirectly means the President’s goodwill for his people can’t be accomplished (most times results in incomplete projects and more).

“In essence, Nigeria’s policies, systems and political structure need to be restructured from the Senate down to the local government authorities before we can make progress in the educational sector,” he said.

There is hope, say lecturers

An Associate Professor at the Department of Mass Communication, UNILAG, Olunifesi Adekunle Suraj, said Tinubu is burdened with the challenges of the university system as such, he is going to address the problems that affect students.

His words: “Tinubu’s promise is borne out of his desire and his concern for tertiary institutions in Nigeria. It’s something we all know that four years is no longer four years because of so many issues, either ASUU strike burn out of lack of funding for education, dilapidated and congested classrooms, no money to do research, outdated equipment and so many other things. These are some reasons for the strike and most of the programmes are interrupted.”

“So, he (Tinubu) is going to address all those problems that will affect students not graduating at the right time. What he’s saying is that he will probably attend to funding issues, infrastructural problems, staff welfare and all the problems confronting education. Why I want to believe him is that, before the election, Tinubu gave about N1 billion to LASU for infrastructural development. Such  a person like that who doesn’t have a university called his own like other people do and he’s not doing business with university. We can say that such a person might likely mean what he’s saying because he’s burdened with the challenges of the university system.”

He further stressed that strike does not help any institution or the academics of students. He said academic staff are at a loss when institutions are being interrupted by strikes.

“No lecturer has to be on strike because the reason why lecturers are in the system is for the students, to teach them, and one of the joys of lecturers is to successfully shun out products that meet the quality outside there. So if students are having an intermediate break in between their studies, it doesn’t portray the university well. When a university is not stable, it will not attract good grants from international bodies, not bring multiculturalism, and not enable a well-planned exchange programme. In a way, a strike does not help any institution or academics. The institution and academic staff lose a lot when institutions are being interrupted by strikes,” he said.

A Web Master at Adekunle Ajasin University, Mr. Yinka Fadayomi also said: “All I know is that Tinubu will surely deliver on all his promises. There is hope.

“Our universities can now be globally competitive. In what way? Funding of universities will put an end to  strike. Then, there will be  stable academic calendar.”