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Tag: Students

  • Why UK stopped students from bringing families, by envoy

    Why UK stopped students from bringing families, by envoy

    Only international students studying for their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) can go with dependants to the United Kingdom, British High Commissioner Dr. Richard Montgomery, stated this yesterday.

    He spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, while giving reasons for the stoppage of foreign students from bringing their families into Britain.

    He said the educational system policy changed earlier this year for international students in higher education not to bring dependants into the UK was to curb the increase of foreign student bringing in dependants.

    The envoy explained that the huge surge in dependants, was putting an unsustainable pressure on many universities, adding that, it was the reason these changes were introduced.

    Montgomery added that before his posting as High Commissioner to Nigeria, he had spoken to some of these universities on the policy change, which had been in the pipeline for some time.

     He noted that the universities Chancellors had complained of the huge student populations’ highlighting that accommodation was a huge challenge, access to medical services under the National Health Service and access to school if they brought in dependants.

    According to him, the restrictions do not apply to all categories, adding that those doing a long term research degree, like a PhD, or doctorate were not affected.

    “Those coming to the UK for doctorate can still bring their dependants but if you are coming to the UK with a study visa for an undergraduate degree, or short term master’s degree am afraid the rules have been changed.

    “People need to understand why this change was brought in, and it is a sensible change because we have a large higher education sector and most of these universities are in towns across the country.

    “There has been a surge recently, in demand for British education and I can give you the macro figures and there has also been a huge increase in foreign students bringing their dependants.

    “In the case of Nigeria, in 2019, before the Coronavirus pandemic, there were only one and a half thousand dependants being brought in from Nigeria, with those on study visas,

    “In 2022, that figure had increased to fifty two thousand dependants so that’s a thirty fold increase in dependants. And it’s not just about Nigeria by the way.

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    “It is also about all foreign students, we saw similar rises, for example amongst Indian students coming to study in the UK.”

    Speaking on the policy initiation it is early to ascertain the impact of the policy on undergraduates because these changes were announced in 2023, but came into effect early this year and we would have to wait until September 2024, before we get the next run of academic tickets, he said.

    “I think what your wider audience needs to hear is that the demand for UK education is really strong, in 2022, 65,000 study visas was approved to Nigerian applicants, 65,000, while in  September  2023 we received about 115,000 Study visa applications from Nigeria.

    “Of which 95 per cent were approved and over 110,000 study visas were issued last September compared to 65,000 of the previous year, there’s almost a doubling of Nigerian study visas in 2023 which means the demand is really high.

    “And it is something which I am genuinely pleased and proud about that the UK has such a good higher educational sector and we are still at the six economy, and is still one of the biggest economies but we are only 2.5 per cent of the global economy.

    “So we have 17 of the top 100 universities in the world. We have 17 per cent of the top universities, so it is one of our units.

    “I really like the demand but there are other factors at play in terms of schooling in the UK, the value of the Naira in the coming months will also determine how easy or hard it will be for many people to afford our education.

    “But I really hope that the number of people who bring dependants in UK may actually not be a majority, but a minority of people have tried to study in the UK so am hoping that the demand will be sustained”.

  • UK Coordinator of Nigerian students secures appointment

    UK Coordinator of Nigerian students secures appointment

    • By Kehinde Safiu

    For his immense contributions to the cause of students in the United Kingdom, the National Council of Youth of Nigeria, Europe Chapter has appointed multi-award – winning youth empowerment advocate, public speaker, and youth ambassador for Africa, Yemi Soile as UK Ambassador, National Youth Council of Nigeria.

    Soile who is the founder and Head Coordinator of Nigerian Students’ Union UK (NSUUK) and founder and Head of Steering committee at Nigerian Youths in Diaspora Organisation is now saddled with the responsibility of overseeing all Nigerian youth activities in the UK.

    He holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Greenwich UK, where he double majored in Politics and Business and a Master’s degree in International Project Management from Anglia Ruskin University UK.

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    He has risen to national and international prominence by empowering young people in the UK and across Africa through his mentoring and leadership programmes.

    Through the NSUUK   platform in collaboration with Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Soile led a  campaign to help 210 stranded Nigerian Postgraduate students studying in the UK through the  Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Scholarship Scheme.

     The campaign  got former President Muhammadu Buhari to take action and order the NDDC to pay the affected students over £4,000,000.

    Under his leadership,  the Nigerian Students’ Society won the best student-run club award, organised by the University of Greenwich in UK . Before then, never in the history of the University had a society-based organisation won that award. He also headed the campaign team that ensured a fellow Nigerian student became the first ever-black student in the history of the University, to be elected as Students’ Union President, by a record landslide victory.

  • Philanthropist donates books to students

    Philanthropist donates books to students

    Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Olujimi Oluseye, has donated notebooks to students in  Ifedore Local Government.

    This is to assist them in resumption for a new term and ensure they access valuable educational  resources.

    Speaking at the distribution, Oluseye stressed importance of inclusion, adding he would ensure every child has opportunity to acquire knowledge and succeed academically.

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    He noted that he  is not only investing in their academic growth,  but also instilling in them a sense of readiness and motivation to tackle their studies with passion.

    “Unfortunately, not all have equal access to educational resource materials, thereby resulting in an ever-widening education gap. Education should be free from party affiliations and accessible to all.

    This proactive approach serves to empower parents, providing them with tools to support their children as the new session begins,” he said.

  • ASUP, rectors, students and the battle for polytechnic education

    ASUP, rectors, students and the battle for polytechnic education

    Polytechnic graduates have experienced widespread discrimination due to discrepancies in their certificates, making it impossible for them to raise their heads high in public. However, stakeholders are working to end certificate discrimination, ensure preservation of polytechnic education, and the sector’s significance to national development, IBRAHIM ADAM reports

    Polytechnic education has experienced minimal expansion, which led to the sector’s failure to deliver the anticipated impact in the country.

    Technical education is critical to technical growth and development. Unfortunately, polytechnics, which were established to provide technical education, have been pushed to the background.

    Despite having 123 polytechnics, the country is still regarded as technologically behind. This raises the question of whether polytechnics have outlived their usefulness in Nigeria, as several are being converted to universities.

    The president of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Anderson Ezeibe, said the Nigerian polytechnic system is still the only branch of higher education in the nation functioning without an independent commission.

    He said: “The Nigerian polytechnic system remains the only arm of tertiary education in the country operating without a dedicated commission. Polytechnics in Nigeria remain in the irregular mix of other sub-tertiary level education institutions totaling over 600 with the adverse effect of inadequate regulation for the polytechnics.

    “It is in this light that we welcome the decision of the government to include the establishment of a National Commission for Polytechnics in the Roadmap for the Education Sector 2024 – 2027 in the hope that such shall see the light of the day.”

    Big Concern

    The National Assembly in 2021 passed the “Bill for an Act to Abolish and Prohibit Dichotomy and Discrimination between First Degree and Higher National Diploma in the Same Profession/Field for Employment; and for Related Matters.” It presented it to former President Muhammadu Buhari for assent. But Buhari did not sign it.

    Rukayat Olowu, a former student of the now-defunct Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), had her hopes of learning at a polytechnic shattered when she declined to return for a Higher National Diploma (HND). She attributed her action to disparity in certificate.

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    Olowu expressed her desire to become a photojournalist so that she could represent her gender and compete at any level.

    “It is now a norm in our society that a polytechnic student suffers due to the disparity created between university and polytechnic in Nigeria. Instead of wasting my time returning for HND, I would rather go to a university to have a certificate to avoid discrimination and condemnation. I wanted to learn the practicals of photography in the polytechnic, but I can’t risk it again.

    “I wanted to compete at any level after acquiring the skills needed and make people realise that women are taking up responsibilities and duties. But with what we have now,  polytechnics are gradually going into extinction because a university graduate is seen as a degree holder while a polytechnic graduate is seen as a mere diploma holder. This  would  continue to be  lot of polytechnic graduates,” she said.

    Another polytechnic graduate, Johnson Oluwole, expressed gratitude for the services of the polytechnic lecturers, adding that they are competent and well-informed as their university counterparts.

    He emphasised that some polytechnic graduates struggle to secure international acceptance when seeking admission into higher institutions abroad.

    “The degrees awarded by the Nigerian Polytechnic system before the international academic community lack recognition enjoyed by the Bachelor’s degree. The discrimination disguised as a dichotomy between Nigerian Polytechnic graduates and university graduates has been on for what seems like forever and its erasure is not in sight,” he said.

    The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti, John Alake, said  the biggest danger to the survival of polytechnic education is the disparity between university and polytechnic certificates.

    He expressed regret over the Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate  perceived inferiority to the Bachelor’s Degree (BSc), claiming that this has resulted in a negative impact on students’ enrolment in polytechnics.

    “The Nigerian Council on Education, which is the highest decision-making body, has refused to allow the two certificates to be at par. The case is made worse by the fact that in some Western countries, you discover that the HND certificate is irrelevant, it is obsolete. There was a time when I tried to use my HND in Canada and it was certified as an irregular certificate.

    “Once a student completes OND, he moves straight to the university to acquire a degree. When you ask him why he decided to do so, he says that they don’t want to play second fiddle. If there is no synergy between polytechnics and universities, it would lead to backwardness. It will amount to a waste of public funds,” Alake added.

    According to Ezeibe, the discrimination has caused young Nigerians to choose university education over polytechnic.

    Conversion of polytechnics, colleges to varsities

    ASUP has branded the federal and state governments’ conversion of about 24 polytechnics and colleges of education to universities over the years as an attempt to “kill” technical education in our country.

    Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) warned against the proliferation of universities, amid inadequate funding of existing ones. However, stakeholders have described the move as worrisome, considering the function polytechnics and colleges play in producing middle-level manpower.

    The National Universities Commission (NUC) explained that the reason for the upgrade was to increase access to university education. But, ASUP described it as frivolous attempt to wipe out public polytechnics in the country.

    Ezeibe recalled that polytechnics were established to produce professionals in technical and vocational education, to address manpower needs.

    “This is why the practical component in the curricula for polytechnics is higher, as they are expected to produce people with hands-on expertise. This is not the same with universities.

    “The question for those who are on this voyage of conversion, like the Lagos State Government, is whether the need for such manpower has been satisfied.

    The principal reason for the upgrade is just because the enrolment figures are dropping across polytechnics due to the discrimination against their products.

    “Our proposal of allowing polytechnics to attain degree-awarding status will resolve all these issues: satisfy the quest for degree-level certification, deepen technical education through curricula enhancement, retain the expanding pool of qualified manpower in the polytechnics, attract funding, and stop the HND/degree dichotomy,” 

    Tinubu to prioritise technology, vocational education

    At the 38th convocation ceremony of Bayero University in Kano State, President Bola Tinubu gave an assurance that his administration would prioritise vocational education, technology, and skills to improve job prospects in the country.

    The first step toward achieving this goal, according to the President, is the establishment of 24 innovation and skills hubs at polytechnics and entrepreneurial centres in universities.

    Represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, Tinubu said: “We strongly believe that our survival can always be assured by the qualities of human capital development, which is why we make education one of the top priorities of this administration.

    “For this purpose, in the first phase of the programme, the government is building 24 skill and vocational hubs in polytechnics as well as entrepreneurship centres in our universities. We are also reviving 970 Tsangaya centres for integrated learning and development of Almajirai in the country.

    “We are also building 91 vocational schools in secondary schools across the country to ensure that all levels of education enjoy the impact of our policy. Our universities are centres of learning and need to upscale and adjust to the modern world by repositioning themselves as citadels of education that will bring about development.

    “The universities are strongly advised or encouraged to run industries to develop their research output into products for our community,” the president stated.

    Absence of polytechnic commission

    According to ASUP, the education sector has remained at risk because there is no standard commission overseeing polytechnic practices.

    In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Itoro Ekanem, members of the House of Representatives have taken steps to create a commission specifically to monitor the industry.

    The Bill for the establishment of the polytechnic commission, which has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives, was introduced by the lawmaker representing the Afikpo North and Afikpo South Federal Constituency in Ebonyi State, Idu Igariwey.

    The union announced its support for the plan and highlighted that the commission’s existence will speed up efforts to ensure that polytechnics award degrees and eliminate discrimination against former students of these institutions.

    “Indeed, the absence of a dedicated commission to concentrate on the proper regulation of polytechnics as one of the legs of the tertiary education tripod has, for several years, been seen as one of the posters of discrimination against Nigeria’s endangered polytechnic system as the other tiers of tertiary education in the country have dedicated commissions in the National Universities Commission and National Commission for Colleges of Education for universities and colleges of education, respectively.

    “It is, therefore, commendable that the House of Representatives view this Bill by Hon. Igariwey and his colleagues as progressive and in furtherance of the need to ensure equity and appropriate fulfillment of the establishment mandates of polytechnics in the country.

    “This same need was recognised by the Federal Ministry of Education in this dispensation as the same was captured in the approved ministerial roadmap for the education sector covering 2024 to 2027,”

    To rectify what it refers to as an academic injustice, the National Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) also advocated for the creation of the National Polytechnic Commission.

    NATE National President, Dominic Udoatan, attributed blame for other institutions’ decline to lawmakers’ excessive emphasis on university education.

    “The disparity between the university and polytechnic graduates is taking its toll on the enrolment of the students as many parents prefer to have their children registered in the former. Student enrolment at various polytechnics nationwide is dwindling yearly due to the premium placed on the university education. Also, the management of  polytechnics is not helping the matter as they are practising the same in terms of recruitment and promotion of staff in their institution,” he said.

    Polytechnic administration

    ASUP Chairman, The Polytechnic Ibadan chapter, Kola Lawal advised federal and state governments to stop using university employees to oversee polytechnics.

    Lawal contended that the polytechnics’ operations ought to be managed by an administrator, who is familiar with the institutions’ culture.

    “You have a settlement and there are people who have lived all their lives there, then you want to pick someone to rule over the people. Such a person must be someone who has also lived there and has a deep understanding of the people, their culture, and tradition.

    “But if you leave the people who grew up in the settlement alone and you bring somebody with a different culture to come and rule over people whose culture is different from his, it will take him quite some time to understand how things are done in the new environment.

    “I want to take the aforementioned analogy to the polytechnic education system in Nigeria. Most of our governments rely on bringing people from the university system to come and rule over the polytechnic system and this is one of the problems that is killing  polytechnic education in Nigeria.

    “When these people come, they are bringing in the culture of the university system. The National Board for Technical Education said anything we do, we have 70 percent practicals in our content and 30 percent theory. Whereas in the university system, the reverse is the case. So when they come to administer us here, they look at us with the eyes of the university they are coming with. They do not understand the system.

    “We have chief lecturers in the polytechnic system. The professorship is just a promotion. There are a lot of lecturers in the polytechnic system who now have Ph.D. I’m bold to say here that at The Polytechnic Ibadan, we have more Ph.D. holders than some universities.

    “Our national body has started that agitation that henceforth, we will not allow university professors to come and be rectors of polytechnics in Nigeria. Fortunately, that advocacy got to the National Assembly and we now have what we call the Polytechnic Act that has stipulated that anybody that must govern a polytechnic in Nigeria must be a chief lecturer from the polytechnic sector.”

    Presidency, NASS collaborate on skill acquisition

    To increase the number of employable citizens, the National Assembly and the Presidency decided to work together on skills.

    The two arms of government made this resolution at the unveiling of the House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education.

    The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to President Bola Tinubu on Technical, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Education (TVEE), Abiola Arogundade, said in her keynote at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja that action plans had already been mapped out to shift the focus of the Nigerian education system from theoretical knowledge acquisition to skills empowerment.

    “Some of the programmes we have lined up in revitalising the sector towards making our youth to be skillful and productive are establishing a Nigeria Institute of Vocational Studies, upgrading the infrastructure of secondary and tertiary vocation systems, developing a national vocational teacher training curriculum as well as rebranding and restructuring polytechnics in the country.

    “In achieving this, the curriculum of learning should therefore be tailored towards skills acquisition so that products of the education system could equip themselves with necessary skills and education to earn a living and be employers of  labour themselves,” she said.

    She emphasised that President Tinubu’s administration will take seriously the global trend of technical, vocational, and entrepreneurship education becoming a top priority in government programmes  as the cornerstone of job creation.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Labour, Sen. Diket Plang, remarked that, for the benefit of all, the focus of education in Nigeria should shift from obtaining certificates to developing skills.

    B.Tech to empower polytechnic graduates

    The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede Ogbomoso, in Oyo State, Dr Taofeek Abdul-Hameed  urged President Tinubu to consider substituting the HND certificate with a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) to alleviate educational gaps and help impoverished students across the country.

    He used the economies of China and the United Arab Emirates as examples to support his claim that entrepreneurship and technological proficiency are essential to a country’s progress.

    Highlighting the polytechnics’ emphasis on practical skills and entrepreneurship, the don stressed the scarcity of white-collar jobs, advocating for practical skills and  self-employment after graduation.

    “The way out is for the President to assent to the bill and cancel the HND or else the disparity will continue. We hope that President Bola Tinubu signs the bill soon since the last administration failed to do so,” he said.

  • UNN students get N12 million research grants

    UNN students get N12 million research grants

    The Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Power and Energy Development (ACE-SPED) University of Nigeria has awarded seed research grants valued at N12 million to twelve student groups.

    The students, it was learnt, demonstrated innovative and entrepreneurial ideas that will lead to sustainable energy and power development.

    The research groups received N1 million each to develop samples of their ideas within a period of six months.

    Among the standout projects selected for funding are initiatives like the creation of both fixed and mobile solar power stations tailored for shops and events, the development of a hydro-thermal generator pressure varying (HTPV-G) system, and the mass production and distribution of a hand-held watermelon ripeness detector to aid Nigerian farmers.

    Other notable projects include the design of portable solar generators and the production of bioethanol from agro-waste.

    Speaking at the grant award ceremony, the Director of ACE-SPED, Professor Emenike Ejiogu said that the grant was part of ACE-SPED’s mandate which aims to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and technology transfer in the area of sustainable energy and power development.

    He emphasised that the grants represent the initial phase in a journey toward the realization and commercialization of innovative ideas, aimed at addressing societal needs while elevating the University of Nigeria and the students involved in the projects.

    “We have provided you with seed funding; now demonstrate your potential”, Prof. Ejiogu stated, highlighting ACE-SPED’s readiness to engage its industrial partners to facilitate the commercialization of the ideas.

    He revealed that the selection process was rigorous, with over 30 applications received from diverse student research and innovation groups. The 12 chosen groups, comprising students from various departments and academic levels, were deemed to possess the greatest potential for impact and success.

    Prof. Ejiogu, who also serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nigeria, urged both government and private sector stakeholders to prioritize investment in research and innovation within higher education institutions, because of their pivotal role in driving Nigeria’s economic development.

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    “At ACE-SPED, we ensure that the outputs of our research efforts do not languish on shelves. We conduct practical research aimed at providing indigenous solutions to the power and energy challenges facing sub-Saharan Africa”, he affirmed.

    He further explained that the ACE-SPED currently offers Master’s and Doctoral degrees in eight NUC-accredited programmes namely: renewable and new energy systems; Power engineering; sustainable energy materials engineering; industrial electronics and power devices; control and instrumentation engineering; policy regulation and management; engineering design and product development; Management of Technology and Innovation, (MOTI), and a professional diploma in additive manufacturing (3-D Printing) technology.

    Established in 2019 with support from the World Bank and the AFD, ACE-SPED is entrusted with the mandate of nurturing a cadre of highly skilled professionals poised to revolutionize the energy and power development landscape across sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, the Centre boasts an enrollment of over 250 students, with more than 35 hailing from various African nations, underscoring its regional significance and impact.

  • How Nigerian students are transforming education in UK (2)

    How Nigerian students are transforming education in UK (2)

    Nigerian students’ union leaders are having a great impact on UK higher education. Their visionary leadership, innovation, deep commitment to student representation, and cultural diversity continue to shape the higher education landscape in the UK. DAMOLA KOLA-DARE reports.

    Michael Tosin Adewunmi

    He is President, Education at Teesside University.

    Michael’s journey towards social development and advocacy began long before he left Nigeria.

     He has a passion for human rights and community welfare.

    Raised in Yaba, Lagos, Michael studied Sociology at Tai Solarin University of Education.

    He is a staunch advocate for gender equality, inclusivity, and diversity.

    Michael’s dedication to social development and his commitment to advocacy have left a lasting impact on communities in Nigeria and abroad.

    Last August, he embarked on a significant initiative to collaborate with the Mayor of Middlesbrough to address pressing issues affecting students, particularly in housing, part-time job opportunities, and enhanced security measures.

    His enthusiasm for positive impact and humane contributions to the university will remain indelible.

    Uchechi Agbaraji

    As Student President and Chair of the Board of University of the West of Scotland, Agbaraji relished the opportunity to serve a student body of over 25,000. Her leadership was committed to elevating student voices, advocating  liberation groups, and nurturing a culture of inclusivity and active participation within the academic community.

    As Chair of the Union Board, she was instrumental in ensuring that student perspectives were integral to the university’s administrative decision-making processes.

    She prioritised enhancing student engagement by providing opportunities for involvement beyond the classroom.

    The student union’s recognition as the Scotland Student Union of the Year and the receipt of the Student Partnerships in Quality Scotland (SPARQS) Student Partnership Award are testaments to the initiatives that fostered a supportive and inclusive environment. These accolades affirm her commitment to diversity, inclusion, and student engagement, which have enriched the university experience for all.

    Kolawole Samuel Olure

    The Student Union President of University of The West Of England(UWE), Kolawole Samuel Olure is an advocate for positive social change and community empowerment.

    He bagged a Bchelor’s degree in Animal Science at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Ogbomosho, Oyo State.

    He went for a Master of Science in Environmental Health at the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol. His  commitment to leadership and service led him to serve as the Student Union President at UWE, which he  held for two terms.

    Kolawole is committed to amplifying the voices of  diverse student body, ensuring that every student feels heard, valued, and supported. One of his achievements has been fostering inclusivity and organising initiatives such as employability events to assist students.

    Beyond his academic and leadership pursuits, he served as  councillor at Stoke Park and Cheswick Parish Council in Bristol, where he actively contributes to local governance and community development initiatives

    In recognition of his commitment to community empowerment and social justice, he was appointed as an Advisory Board Member for the One City Living Rent Commission by the Bristol City Council, where he collaborated with stakeholders to explore solutions for affordable living and tenant rights in the private rented sector.

    He remains committed to amplify student voices and addressing critical issues.

    Oluwafunbi Babatunde is Vice President, Community and Welfare University of Wolverhampton Students’ Union, Bisola Olatunji is President of the union, Opeyemi Adeyemi is  Vice President Diversity, while  Yetunde Adedipe is Vice President, Academic.

    The University of Wolverhampton Students’ Union (UWSU) showcases their exceptional leadership and commitment.

    Olatunji holds a Master’s in Occupational Psychology and International Master’s in Business Administration, with a vision for a students union that not only advocates student rights, but also prepares them for global challenges.

    Babatunde, a Master’s in Finance and Accounting student, ensures that students’ well-being and community engagement are at the forefront of UWSU’s agenda.

     Adedipe, who graduated with a BSc in Business and Finance, advocates academic excellence and support.

    Adeyemi has a Master’s in Occupational Psychology. He is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, equality and inclusion in the university.

    These four leaders exemplify the power of diverse leadership and the impact it can have on a university community. 

    Rachael Okoh Enumah

    She is Vice President Welfare at Strathclyde Students’ Union at University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.

    She is a Master’s student in architecture with interest in leadership. For three years, she served as a House of Representative member in the student association while pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in architecture at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

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    During her tenure, the educational system in the United Kingdom was challenged. It was post-COVID, and the school system was experiencing significant budgetary pressures. Consequently, students’ mental health suffered considerably, and there was an implementation of government policies that were unfavourable to international students.

    She founded the Strath Union Creative Hub; which provided a platform for students with creative abilities like music, artistic skills, and dance to collaborate in events while fostering a healthy environment for socialising, building value-centred relationships and supporting one another.

    Also, as the secretary of the Glasgow Student Forum, she worked with other student officers on a campaign to extend the council tax exemption for Glasgow students by three months to help them plan during the cost-of-living crisis.

    Rotimi Olorunfemi

    He is  President, Community and Activities of University of Bradford.

    He is graduate of Computer Science from Bowen University Iwo and a Master’s holder in Computer Science from Obafemi Awolowo University. His journey began during his university days, where he assumed various leadership roles aimed at positively impacting student lives.

    A resident of Bradford, United Kingdom, Olorunfemi  champions equality, diversity, and inclusion, viewing humanity as the paramount religion.

    He championed vital causes such as women’s safety and combating racial discrimination within minority groups, forging partnerships with key stakeholders like the West Yorkshire Police to effect meaningful change.

    He is a staunch advocate for mental healthstudents.

    Through exemplary leadership and a warm demeanour, he has impacted the university community, while empowering students to reach their potential.

    Raji Ibrahim Bamidele

    Raji Ibrahim Bamidele is President of Union Development at Hull University Students’ Union (HUSU).

    Bamidele attended the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB). He is  a recent MSc graduate of Logistics and Supply Management from the University of Hull in the United Kingdom.

    He served as a Course Representative, Councilor of Scrutiny, Library Volunteer, among others, since joining the University of Hull before competing to become the President of Union Development in an epic election.

    He demonstrated dedication to resolving the  challenges and negative experiences encountered by students in securing and maintaining accommodation. Through strategic partnerships with the Humber Landlords Association and Hull City Council, Bamidele  spearheaded initiatives aimed at addressing issues such as arbitrary rent hikes and inadequate repair and maintenance services.

    Raji’s commitment to promoting sustainability within the Students’ Union and the university  earned him a prominent role on the university’s sustainability board.

    Fortune Oscar Sampson

    Fortune Oscar Sampson  is Deputy President, City Students’ Union at the City University of London.

    He attended University of Calabar where he became the Director of Information Nigerian Economics Students’ Association University of Calabar Chapter.

    Fortune’s tenure as Deputy President has been marked by transformative initiatives. He organised a rich tapestry of activities for Black History Month, including a novel sports competition between students and staff member, an exhibition celebrating the cultural heritage of the black community, among others.

    His leadership was instrumental to the city’s commitment to the mental health charter. Also, he pioneered payment plans to alleviate the financial burden on students from deprived backgrounds.

     His strategic partnership with Girls Are Investors (GAINS) empowered female students through financial enlightenment programmes.

    He is spearheading the establishment of a hate crimes reporting centre and has campaigned for the reimbursement of visa application fees and health surcharges for international student union officers.

    Fortune’s initiatives are not just projects but are also catalysts for change, fostering a culture of empowerment, inclusivity, and academic excellence.

    His forward-thinking approach and dedication to students’ welfare have enriched his fellow students.

    Olwafemi Zacchaeus Abolade

    He is the President Welfare/Wellbeing at Teesside University,  Middlesbrough, United Kingdom.

    Before leaving Nigeria, Femi held leadership positions in the Environmental Health Association and the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), where he served in various roles for 13 years and assisted fellow practitioners.

    As the first President of the SU of African origin, he was instrumental in shaping the Teesside University Students Union’s Diversity and Inclusion policies, and working with the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team of the university.

    He negotiated with the university alongside the President Education, to help students at a time most international students were encumbered with tuition fee payment.

    He also championed campaigns for student safety, free period products in toilets for female students, sexual health, and a weekly mental health session called Students Supporting Students, which served over 350 students over a two-year period.

    Oluwafemi will be known for his support and fairness to everyone, his integrity in the face of adversity, his courage in the face of despair, his modest approach to difficulties, and, without a doubt, his selflessness and dedication to his main objective, which is student representation.

    Bobola Ajibola

    He is Welfare and Diversity Officer  at University of Gloucestershire.

    His journey in student leadership and advocacy has been marked by a pursuit of enhancing the student experience and ensuring equitable representation for all.

    Bobola’s tenure has been marked by initiatives aimed at enhancing student welfare and fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion.

    His initiatives have ranged from organising vibrant events such as Diversity Night 1:0 and 2:0 to facilitating platforms like Harmony Unleashed: Students Talent Day, and Black History Month.

    Kamil Lawal

    He is the President of Education at York St. John University.

    Driven by a passion for social justice and community engagement, Kamil has been involved in grassroots initiatives.

    Upon his relocation to the UK, Kamil made history as the first student from a satellite campus (London) to win a Student Union  presidential role, as well as the first black, male, mature student to hold the position of President of Education in the SU’s history.

    By introducing training, he facilitated improved collaboration between course representatives and school chairs, fostering a more cohesive and effective representation system.

    In alignment with his commitment to promoting ethical AI use and diversity, Kamil collaborated with the university to develop a comprehensive guide on artificial intelligence. This initiative aimed to aid students in understanding the ethical implications of AI usage while working towards creating an inclusive and diverse curriculum representative of all student populations.

    Patricia Nkem Innocent

    She is Student President of Communication and Democracy at Robert Gordon University (RGU), Aberdeen. Patricia is a native of Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State who earned a degree in  Botany from the University of Calabar, Cross River State.

    Progressing to RGU for her Master’s degree, she has held leadership roles such as Class Representative and Nigerian Students’ Society President, alongside volunteering as a Welcome Buddy among other volunteering roles. In March 2023, Patricia was elected as Student President of Communication and Democracy at the Students’ Union and sits as a Governor, on the university’s Board of Governors.

    As President, she  promotes activities that benefit students’ social well-being on campus. To accomplish and improve the goal of a thriving campus, she collaborates with societies, communities, and networks.

    Being an international student herself and with a desire to promote cultural diveristy, Patricia planned and executed an annual event called One RGU Many Nations, where hundreds of students represented their different cultures by showcasing their traditional meals, dance, and attires.

    As a public health and health promotion enthusiast, Patricia organises social events such as trips, festivals and parties which promote mental health and wellbeing of students, foster good relationships and provide networking opportunities for the students.

    Owing to her love for country and humanity, she began the initiative ‘This is Nature. Period,’ to support and educate young girls in Nigeria, on menstrual hygiene and sexual health.

    The International Women’s Day 2024 saw two hundred and twenty seven (227) girls in different parts of Nigeria including Warri, Abuja and Port Harcourt benefitting as Patricia distributed free pads that would sustain each of the girls for a minimum of three to four months through her ‘This is Nature. Period’ Campaign.

    Throughout her studies, Patricia cheerfully volunteered in various roles within and outside of her university to positively impact humanity.

  • Monarch, old students seek govt’s intervention to revamp school

    Monarch, old students seek govt’s intervention to revamp school

    The Owa Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole, has appealed to  Ekiti State Government to fix the dilapidated Ekiti Baptist High School, Igede-Ekiti.

    Oba Adewole, an alumnus of the school, expressed displeasure about the poor state of his alma mater, which he noted, had made teaching and learning difficult for teachers and students.

    The first-class monarch spoke at the weekend in Igede-Ekiti, headquarters of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, during the launching of one billion naira endowment fund for the rehabilitation of the school.

    He lamented that Ekiti Baptist High School that once prided itself as one of the best schools in the country, had become a shadow of its former self as result of the deplorable infrastructural facilities in the school.

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    He said: “Today, we are gathered to give back and help rebuild our school which has for several years been assailed by several infrastructural challenges. The conditions of the classrooms, hostels, library, staff offices and accommodation are nothing to write home about.

    “The time has now come to rebuild our own Jerusalem, EBHS, and reenact the confidence of our children and grandchildren who are entitled to the excellent education that the Ekiti Baptist High School is well known for.

    “But sadly, the current dilapidated situation of the school does not imbue anyone with hope for our children. The salvation and fortune of this school therefore lies squarely on your shoulders and mine. I therefore plead with all of us the old students of this school and our friends and well-wishers and indeed lovers of our school to please donate generously to this noble cause.

  • Stockbrokers woo students on opportunities

    Stockbrokers woo students on opportunities

    Students of Lagos City Polytechnic are expected to enroll for the Diploma Programme of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), following tips on the opportunities for professionals in the securities market, offered by the Institute’s first Vice President, Mr Oluropo Dada.

    Mr Dada, who was the keynote speaker at the 15th Convocation of the institution, advised the graduating students to expand their career through certification in the capital market.

    According to him, CIS offers two-level diploma in securities and investment, which do not only prepare the holders for jobs in the financial market but enhance their aspiration to becoming core securities dealers.

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    “There are immense opportunities in the Nigerian capital market. Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) offers two professional diploma  in securities and investment to meet the needs of those who want to expand their careers and become professionals in the securities market. You have a lot to benefit from these Programmes. They will elevate you into full-fledged professionals in the financial market. Above all, you must continually uphold the tenets of skills and integrity, the hallmark of a professional,” Dada said.

    The graduating  students were excited and many of them indicated interest in the Diploma courses.

    Speaking on: “ Enhancing the Standard of Tertiary Education in Nigeria”,  Dada made a critique of the state of tertiary education in Nigeria and urged the Federal Government to increase the budget for education in line with the UNESCO’s standard.

  • 30,000 students benefit from Ogun Educash Transfer

    30,000 students benefit from Ogun Educash Transfer

    Ogun State said has said 20,000 of its students in tertiary institutions have benefited from Educash transfer of N50,000 to cushion the economic crisis.

    Also, it said 10,000 indigent pupils in primary and secondary schools in the state got N10,000 cash transfer.

    Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, spoke after monitoring the cash transfer to primary and secondary schools at Ogun West Senatorial District.

    Arigbabu noted more would benefit from the scheme.

    He said everyone captured would be paid.

    “I can tell you that for the tertiary institutions, we have done 20,000 as at today, and the total for tertiary institution beneficiaries is a little bit less than 50,000. Hopefully, by end of next week, we will reach half of that, which is about 25,000 beneficiaries.

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    “I want to assure those who have not received theirs, for instance, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), a list of a little bit over 12,000 was sent to us. As we speak, we have paid just a little less than 6,000. The same thing at Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), where we have a little bit less than 8,000. We have tried to make sure we are targeting between 45 to 50 per cent,” he said.

    Arigbabu also said the state would not entertain cash payment to pupils in public primary and secondary schools.

    He noted the government would still avail any parent without a bank account an opportunity to do so as long as they have been captured for the payment.

    “We are not paying cash to anybody; we are not handling cash. We are paying through  accounts. If anyone doesn’t have an account, he should open one because it is difficult to trace cash transactions.

    “… if I say I paid 100 people, how will you confirm that? But through transfers, you can see it through bank statements and alerts received…’’

  • Forbes official to inspire students

    Forbes official to inspire students

    An official of Forbes Coaches Council, Dr. Akin Akinpelu, is set out to inspire 200,000 university students in Africa through ‘Street2Forbes’ campus tour.

    At a conference in Yaba, Akinpelu said the tour,  to take off at Bells University, Ota, on April 13, would provide mentorship, direction and support for the students.

    The event also witnessed the launch of a book: From the street to Forbes, a documentation of Akinpelu’s life story.

    He said the book is a call to empower, encourage and inspire African children to reach their potential.

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    “We hope to provide participants with skills, information, and attitude to overcome challenges and seize opportunities with determination.

    “We are committed to establishing an atmosphere that fosters development, education, and self-discovery in collaboration with business owners, entrepreneurs, and visionaries,” he said.