Category: Campus Life

The Executive Secretary (ES), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Hamid Bobboyi, has decried gender gap in basic education, noting that less than 30 per cent of girls make it to junior secondary school.

According to him, primary school enrolment rate for the girl-child starts high and drops with lower percentage of the enrollees transiting to the junior secondary level.

Bobboyi spoke DUduring the opening of  the Regional Consultative Meeting on girls’ transition from primary to junior secondary education in Nigeria.

Female pupils from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, and Osun states attended the meeting.

The meeting was organised by UBEC, in partnership with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)  Nigeria and Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office(FCDO).

” We are aware that a significant proportion of our girl children for one reason or the other still do not have access to nor are able to utilise available basic education opportunities.

“Importantly, available data indicate that primary school enrolment rate for the girl-child starts high and drops significantly with less than 30 per cent of the enrollees transiting to the Junior Secondary level,” he said.

Bobboyi noted that despite the interventions of the Federal Government and other stakeholders, girls in the upper cadre of primary education face complex challenges in completing basic education as well as accessing health and economic opportunities within their domains.

The ES was represented by the Deputy  Executive Secretary of the commission, Dr Isiaka Olayinka Kolawole, however, said it was imperative to address those challenges with the commission’s partnership with UNICEF.

Bobboyi also said UBEC established the All Girls Model Schools to boost girl child education.

Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board(LASUBEB) Chairman Wahab Alawiye-King said the meeting was timely as it would address  factors militating against girls’  transition to junior secondary school.

“Every child matters to us in Lagos. Access, equity and standard matter to us. We are gender sensitive. We lay emphasis on our pupils, but with special attention to girls because of challenges they face,” he said.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has accredited fully five programmes being run at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FOUYE), Ekiti State.

A statement by the school said a letter of accreditation from the NUC dated April 14, 2022 and signed on behalf of the Secretary by the NUC’s Director of Accreditation, Maryam Salli, was addressed to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fashina.

It explained that FUOYE, one of the fast growing institutions in the country, has received full accreditation for five courses.

The academic programmes are: Accounting, Education Mathematics, Criminology and Security Studies, Library and Information Science and Business Administration.

The letter from NUC entitled: “Results of October/November Accreditation of Academic Programmes in Nigerian Universities said: “The National Universities Commission has the statutory mandate to accredit academic programmes in Nigerian universities.

“Pursuant to this mandate and in consonance with the provisions of government’s approved guidelines, initial accreditation of a programme is held after the programme has run for two academic sessions following approval for the establishment of the programmes.

Therefore, the Commission accredits the approved programmes as and when due. Consequently, the NUC organised the accreditation of academic programmes at Federal University, Oye-Ekiti in October/November 2021.”

Reacting to the successful result of the October/November 2021 accreditation, the Acting Registrar, Mr Mufutau Ibrahim said:  “Since the commencement of this administration, we have been working assiduously to ensure that all of our programmes are fully accredited. The vice chancellor is trying his best with the management team  to provide human and material resources needed for the accreditation and that is what gave us the glory”

Coordinator of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, Tegbe Stephen Fiyinfoluwa, has urged the Lagos State  Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in ongoing strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The Federal Government and ASUU were at loggerheads over the demands of the union.

In a statement, Tegbe lamented that attempts by the leadership of NANS to ensure students go back to school have proved futile.

He said: “Countless protests, press conferences and meetings have been done but the situation remains the same.

“However, we appeal to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to  intervene. He should help us speak to President Muhammadu Buhari, and other stakeholders.’’

He hailed the governor for prioritising students’ welfare and education in the state.

The NANS leader urged other governors to emulate Sanwo-Olu.

“We charge other governors to emulate governor Sanwo-Olu in his bid to make education a right and not privilege for the students. ‘’With what Mr Governor does for education, we shall remain indebted forever. We will continue to pray and support him for what he has done for our colleagues in the state,” he said.

Tegbe, however, called on the Federal Government and ASUU to reach a compromise for students to return to school.

“We are calling on the Federal Government and ASUU to come back to negotiation table and proffer everlasting solution as students are tired of this age-long industrial action. At the end of everything, lecturers get paid and political leaders receive their pay. What will be  the gain of students? It is so disheartening that we are always at the receiving end.”

Students of the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State, who live off-campus, are scared, following robbery attacks on some of their colleagues last week. However, the school management has put measures in place for adequate security. CALEB IJIOMA (AAP) reports.

For  Federal Polytechnic Ilaro students living off-campus, these are trying times. They are at the mercy of armed robbers who leave sorrow and destruction in their wake.

On April 18, they raised the alarm about the attacks and called on the Ogun State Government and security agencies to rescue them from armed robbers. Campus Life gathered that the attack on April 18 was one of many.

Students  bemoan incessant attacks

A student who craved anonymity said:”If you ask the majority  of students in FPI right now,  you will  always get the same response. No student is happy with the way things are here. It is not only robbery,  but also killing. We heard about two people who were shot dead a few days ago. That  is  disheartening. We are all living in fear. The school management and all other stakeholders have come together to find a lasting solution to the problem and I hope it becomes a thing of the past very soon.”

For Yusuf Omokhunde, an HND 2 student, robbery attacks on students bring fear and panic.

“The robbery attacks made me heartbroken. I have been here at Ilaro for the past four years and I have never experienced such. Hearing such news for the first time made me heartbroken and I was afraid. We are all insecure,” he said.

Another student, Temi Adelegan, said:” Attacks by robbers have always happened. But I believe we have security men who can address the issue. The school is trying its best to put the situation under control.”

Management aware of robbery attacks, warns students on night crawling

The management of the polytechnic said they were aware of the attacks. This was contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Registrar, Public Relations, Sola Abiala.

The statement was seen by Campus Life  a day after a stakeholder’s meeting held by the institution’s Rector, Olusegun Aluko, on Monday, April 18, to discuss the robbery attacks in student-populated areas.

Present at the meeting were security operatives, community heads, and student representatives.

In the statement, the management refuted claims that students were raped during the attacks as bandied in some quarters. It  slammed house owners for not providing security for tenants, despite the high rates they charge students.

“ There is an increase in cases of armed robbery in the town, but not as escalated as it’s being reported. There were no established cases of rape being widely reported in the media, especially on social media platforms. Landlords/landladies/caretakers/agents do not always document the identities of their tenants with the institution, nor do they participate in the activities of the Community Development Associations (CDAs), yet they do not provide security for their tenants, despite the high rates being charged,” the statement said.

The management, which bemoaned night crawling by students and the use of generators for 24 hours daily, also condemned students’ flagrant disregard for the rules, regulations, and customs of the polytechnic as well as those of the host community.

“Students are in the habit of night crawling, display of affluence through the use of expensive phones and gadgets, engaging in fraudulent practices, otherwise known as yahoo-yahoo and use of generators for almost 24 hours daily. They  have disrespect for the rules, regulations, and customs of the polytechnic as well as that of the host community among others,” it added.

The management, however, imposed a curfew and urged Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Community Development Committees (CDCs) to provide solid security arrangements and work together with government security agencies

It advised house owners to verify and document the identities of their student-tenants with the school authority.

“Restriction of movement between 11 pm and 4 am, especially by students will be put in place with immediate effect and students should always have their identity cards with them at all times. All generators should be switched off, latest by 11 pm.

“The management of the institution will not only publish the names of rusticated, dismissed, or withdrawn students but their pictures will also be widely publicised. Landlords, landladies, caretakers, and agents should endeavour to verify and document the identities of their student-tenants with the school authority.

“They should also participate in the activities of the CDAs where they have commercial apartments and also assist in the security arrangements of their areas; they should identify tenants who are always indoors without going to work or school during daytime and report such tenants appropriately. Houses with more than 20 tenants should endeavour to make private security arrangements. CDAs and CDCs should put in place, solid security arrangements and work hand in hand with the government security agencies,” it said.

The management enjoined students to cooperate with security agencies and called on security agents to intensify their patrol within the community.

“Students should cooperate with the management, the community, and the security agencies in fishing out the bad elements within them. Security agents should intensify their patrol of the community and ensure that some business people who have cultivated the habit of opening their businesses in the late hours should be stopped from doing so.”

As the battle between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) rages on, the government has approved the take-off of new private universities. Students say it is a misplaced priority. CALEB IJIOMA (AAP), FORTUNE AMAECHI (ABSU) SAMUEL AGBELUSI, BOLU ADEDOKUN (AAUA) and GLORY THOMAS (OGITECH) reports.

The Federal Government, through the Federal Executive Council (FEC), approved the establishment of 12 new private universities across the country on April 6, 2022.

Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed made this known last week in Abuja.

He listed the benefitting states to include Kano, Niger, Gombe, Sokoto, Delta, Abia, Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

However, there are concerns on whether it is a good move by the Federal Government since the  Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on strike since February 14.

32 private universities approved in two years

Last year, the FEC approved the establishment of 20 private universities. The recent approval for additional 12 increased the number of private universities from 99 to 111.

Nigeria goes against international standards on education

In 2019, former Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund), Suleiman Bogoro, said 94 per cent of students attend public tertiary institutions.

A  2019 record by Statista shows that, in 2019, there were over 1.8 million full-time undergraduates in the country. 1,206,825 students attend federal universities, 544,936 attend state universities and 102,500 attend private universities.

However, the country has not been able to meet international standards regarding budgetary provisions for education and  has been doing far less than some of her neighbouring countries. In six years, Nigeria budgeted N3.6 trillion out of N55.3 trillion for education.

The allocation to the sector is still less than 10 per cent.

The period covers the year 2016 to 2021. In 2016, of the total budget of N6.06 trillion, N369.6 billion or 6.7 per cent was allocated to public education. In 2017, N550 billion or 7.38 per cent  was allocated to education of the N7.29 trillion budget, while in 2018, N605.8 billion or 7.04 per cent was given to education of the N9.2 trillion budget.

In 2019, N620 billion or 7.05 per cent was allocated to education out of the budget of N8.92 trillion, while in 2020, N671.07 billion or 6.7 per cent was given to education of the N10.33 trn budget. In 2021, N742.5 billion or 5.6 per cent was allocated to education from  a budget of N13.6 trillion.

Students  react

Iniobong Antia, a student at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) said private universities were not needed because the masses could not afford them.

“We don’t need private universities now, not just because of the economic situation, but because the masses can’t afford it. Sadly, other universities around are not functioning well.  Government should improve the  ones we have first,” she said.

Babatunde Adebayo, a 200-Level Literature-in-English student  at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, said the Federal Government should ease the burden on parents and students by effectively managing existing ones.

“We have many federal and state universities which are not well managed. Now, approving additional 12 private universities at this point  is unacceptable. How many parents can afford  the fees of N1 million-plus with the current economic situation of this country?  Government should ease the burden on both parents and students by trying to manage the institutions we have,” he said.

A student at The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, who craved anonymity, said: “This is a misplaced priority. What good will the 12 new private universities do given the state of insecurity and economic imbalance in the country? Has the Ministry of Education settled their issues with ASUU? Will the top politicians bring their children back from abroad to be educated in those approved  universities? Federal Government should outline the major interest of our country and work towards that.”

Oshinaike Oluwafunmilola, a 200-Level student at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, said the government should improve existing tertiary institutions and bring solutions to the problems bedeviling  the education sector.

“Approving more private universities is not necessary. At least, the ones we have are more than enough. Rather than having more universities, why not channel that energy into working on improving the ones already in existence and also make sure there are no issues concerning the education system as a whole? Provision of enough funds  for research work, improving the infrastructural facilities in the various tertiary institutions, and provision of employment for graduating students are quite essential,” she said.

For Boluwatife Ojo, a 500-Level Law student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the new  private universities will contribute to the economic growth of the country and create employment opportunities and competition among other  universities.

“I am convinced that the establishment of the new 12 private universities will contribute to the economic growth of the country and create employment opportunities and competition among public universities. In a developing nation like ours, the economic situation of the country should not be allowed to undermine the development via education.

“This also serves as a platform for competition among universities, especially private universities. It is a trite law that where there is competition in a particular sector, definitely there will be  reduction in prices. The same goes for the private university, once there are options for a student  to leverage a lesser university where he will get the necessary knowledge which he would have gotten in an expensive university, such a student will definitely opt for a cheaper university,” he said.

Jimoh Abdullahi, a 400-Level student at  University of Ilorin(UNILORIN) said some parents would not be able  to afford huge amounts paid  these universities.

“ The private owners are conscious of the appalling condition of the public tertiary schools so, they see that as an opportunity for their business. I am highly disappointed at the action of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) who gave them a nod of approval. This  is  an attempt to deepen the open wound of ASUU.  If it continues like this, the children of the rich only will have access to qualitative education while the children of the impoverished parents may not be able to afford private universities when  public tertiary institutions become moribund,” he said.

Oluwapelumi Olajiga, a final year student at the Ekiti State University (EKSU), said, the Federal Government needs to work towards having better public universities, especially in the face of the present economic situation.

“What we need now is not more private universities, we need better universities.

There is no greatness in having more private universities and we are still dealing with a dysfunctional education system. Nigeria should work towards having better universities than having more universities with the nation’s economic situation,” she said.

Joseph Adeyinka, a 300-Level student,  Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), said: “There is no need for the Federal Government to establish more universities whether it is private or not. There is an ongoing strike by ASUU that needs to be addressed, government is yet to address it.  The creation of private universities will add to the number of universities we have in the country but won’t help to reduce the number of roaming students on the streets due to the exorbitant amount needed to pay. I will urge the Federal Government to focus on reaching an agreement with ASUU rather than creating more universities in a time like this.”

Lekan Dipo, a 100-Level Mathematics student, OAU, said:  “What does it cost Federal Government to approve those schools? It is not a bad idea if it gives the go ahead for the establishment of these universities. The Federal government cannot carry the affairs of the whole country alone,hence the need for private institutions to help the education sector.

“When it comes to government and ASUU,we should all understand there is more to the crisis. However, I believe the establishment of the private universities will improve and enhance the education sector.”

Chime Augustine, a final year student at Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola, said it is a good for the education sector since government lacks the capacity to bring the needed development to the existing universities.

His words: “Quality is more important than quantity. Even though quantity isn’t necessarily a bad thing, More private universities means that private entities see the education sector as a viable and profitable sector which in a way is a good thing.

“Without proper monitoring and regulation, you are looking at cash grabs trying to profit off people without giving proper education. I believe the government does not see value in our education and gradually wants to place the sector in the hands of private entities.”

Another student at EKSU, Salako Emmanuel said the approval of new private universities is a misplaced priority. He said the government should be focused on improving and revitalising public universities.

He said: “I  think the action just described the level of urgency towards raising public universities to a standard that would ease learning and put an end to the incessant strike that happens almost every year.

” It is a misplacement of priority because, for now, all plans should be  how to improve and revitalise public universities; create conducive learning environment while  working towards meeting the demands of ASUU.

“We don’t  we need more private universities for now. There are records of graduates   looking around for job opportunities but could not find one after having paid huge amount of money to study.

“Will less privileged parents  still be motivated to ‘hustle’ and send their wards to  a private university knowing full well that it doesn’t guarantee a well-paid job after school? Well, if this system of government is true democracy and patriotic as it claims to be, then the interest of the people should come first; not what they think would add to the list of their achievements.”

Okiki Moses Okikiola a student at Ogun State Institute of Technology  (OGITECH) Igbesa, said the move is a recipe for discrimination, though it will boost the economy.

His words:  “Why will Federal Government keep approving schools  that are  not benefitting the majority? This simply is passing a message to the majority that education is not for the poor.  This might lead to discrimination as time goes on since our Federal schools are always on strike.

” However,  it will help our economy because it will allow students in neighbouring countries  to study in Nigeria.”

Ayo Genesis, a student at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, said: “Our education is in a terrible state. How will  private universities provide solutions? Government should try to  restructure the education system instead of creating private universities. Truth is, it cannot work.”

Zainab Yetunde Adam, a student at  University of Maduguri, urged Federal Government  to settle   with ASUU before approving more universities.

“The time, energy and money that the new ones need to function can be used to improve he education sector. This seems like a misplaced priority,”  she said.

Olajuwon Olamilekan, a student at The Polytechnic Ibadan, hailed the Federal Government,saying it would give students opportunity to gain admission without delay.

Abdulmumeen  Adetimirin, an AAUA student noted that  there was nothing wrong in the  action of Federal Government because  private universities  don’t run like  state or federal  universities.

“They  sort out their issues, generate their revenue internally and as we know they are not under any federal association involving universities like ASUU.

Their decisions are taken by board members which usually involves many people unlike federal universities or state where decision can solely be taken by the governor or president,” he said.

He noted  that their calendar runs smoothly unlike federal or state universities which are affected by incessant strikes,  though they may have internal crises but overall, they are preferable in terms of manpower, comfort, conducive environment, easy access to learning facilities etc.

“However, something unfavourable about private universities is the exorbitant school fees which makes it the sole preserve  of  wealthy people,” he added.

Folarin Semilore Deborah, another  OGITECH student said: “This is not the best idea at this point in time because we already have enough schools.

We don’t need additional institutions in Nigeria but the existing ones should be well run with  adequate infrastructural facilities.”

Michael Uzoma, a student at  Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State said: “We are supposed to look for a way to make education better in this country not trying to cover it up with private universities. Private universities or not the education system has failed us and is still failing us.Are private universities the solution to a dysfunctional education system?”

Favour Samuel, a student of the University of Uyo in his words said: “We do not need only private universities but any universities because thenone we have, what good has it done? Let the government rebrand our education system instead of erecting more buildings.”

Abubakir Jamiu, a student at EKSU said:  “The government should give more attention to the existing public universities. When public universities are running smoothly, nobody will think of going to private schools.

The education sector remains in shambles. This should be the priority of government.”

Amusan Latifat,  a student at  Bayero University Kano said: “Lack of proper planning for the educational needs of the country leads to proliferation of schools. However, proliferation  of universities creates more problems than it solves.

“As a country, even with the steady, unbroken string of civilian administrations, funding remains a major challenge in education.

” In the 2022 budget, valued at N17 trillion, only 7.2 per cent was allocated to education, even with the proliferation of universities. It means that for education to fulfill its role of increasing economic efficiency and social consistency to the point of helping to raise the poor from poverty, it will continue to suffer dearth of  funding that will stifle running costs, truncate research advancements, result in lack of infrastructural development, encourage further brain drain, prevent institutions from having laboratories, electricity, staff offices, libraries, students’ hostels, administrative blocks, recreation centres, good road network and undoubtedly lead to more strikes as is currently the case between government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Iyanuoluwa Emmanuel, a student at Federal University University Oye-Ekiti(FUOYE),  noted that this was a wrong decision by the Federal Government.

His words: “How will they approve 12 new private universities when the public universities are suffering neglect? It is  indeed the wrong time to give such approval when ASUU is yet to be settled.”