Connect with us

Education

Hike in Fees Could be Counterproductive—ASUU

Published

on

ASUU

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the federal government to review the recent hike in the fees in universities and unity schools across the country.

Recall that the fees of federal universities and unity colleges were recently increased, causing many Nigerians to raise eyebrows amid dwindling purchasing power and a hike in the prices of goods and services.

The government was looking to increase its revenue and cut down on borrowings to fund its budgets.

The National President of ASUU, Mr Emmanuel Osodeke, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, warned that the hike in fees could be counterproductive, urging the government to find a safe landing for the nation’s future leaders.

The University of Lagos was the latest of the public universities to increase its fees from N25,000 to almost N200,000, depending on the programme.

The university had announced an adjustment in the obligatory fees for both returning and new students of the institution, with effect from September 1, for the 2023/2024 academic session.

A breakdown of the fees by the institution showed that the mandatory charges for one academic session for new undergraduate students are N126,325 for courses without a laboratory/studio.

It also approved N176,325 as mandatory charges for one academic session for courses with laboratory and studio.

A further breakdown of the approved mandatory charges for one academic year for returning students showed N100,750 for courses without a laboratory and studio, while approved mandatory charges for courses with a laboratory and studio was N140,250.

Approved charges for Medical students were put at N190,250.

The institution also fixed N20,000 as a utility charge to be paid by all undergraduate students, while N30,000 was to be paid by all final-year students.

According to the university, the review came after careful deliberations with its stakeholders (students, parents/guardians, staff unions, and alumni, among others).

It explained that the adjustment in fees was in view of the prevailing economic realities for it to be able to meet its obligations to its students, staff and municipal service providers, among others.

Also, unity schools hiked fees from N45,000 to N100,000, a more than 150 per cent increase.

Mr Osodeke said that the best way out to issues was to adopt a holistic approach, noting that policies should be people-centred.

“I think the whole thing now boils down to the parents. These have been part of our agitations. We were fighting on the need to right some wrongs, but rather than get support, we were attacked.

“It may interest you to know that UNILAG is not the only tertiary institution that has hiked fees in recent times.

“The likes of Bayero University Kano, Benin and Abuja, among others, have all done the same. What this will translate to is for children of the poor to withdraw from school.

“However, we should be mindful of the inherent danger that may accompany such development when it comes to vices, especially among youth. It could become a willing pool to recruit from. It is indeed sad.

“We hope the current administration will review the whole situation and find a safe landing for these our future leaders.

“[The]Government could set up a high-powered commission, made up of people of integrity and brain, to review all the issues, as it concerns the country’s education sector. And as I said, it has been done in the past,” the unionist said.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

Education

WAEC Withdraws 2025 WASSCE Results After Technical Glitches

Published

on

2025 wassce

By Adedapo Adesanya

West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has temporarily withdrawn the 2025 WASSCE results following multiple reports of technical glitches reported during the conduct of the exam.

On Monday, the examination body released the 2025 results, which showed that only 38.32 per cent of the 1,969,313 candidates who sat the 2025 WASSCE obtained credits and above in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, the worst performance recorded in a decade.

This development has sparked outrage, raising similarities with the glitch issue which affected candidates during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTM) organised by the Joint Administration Matriculation Board (JAMB).

In a notice issued by the Acting Head of Public Affairs for WAEC in Nigeria, Mrs Moyosola Adesina, on Thursday, it was revealed that an internal review showed that there were some issues.

The body said these issues arose from a newly introduced paper serialization process aimed at curbing exam malpractice in subjects such as Mathematics, English Language, Biology, and Economics.

“[WAEC] sincerely regrets to inform the general public of technical issues discovered during the internal review of the recently released results of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, (SC) 2025.

“As part of our efforts to curb examination malpractice, the Council embarked on an innovation (paper serialization) already deployed by a national examination body. It is also worth noting that this is in line with best practices in assessment. The paper serialization was carried out in Mathematics, English Language, Biology and Economics. However, an internal post result release procedure revealed some technical bugs in the results,” the statement said.

As a result of the glitches, access to the results has been temporarily suspended on the result checker portal while corrections are made.

WAEC apologized to all affected candidates and the general public, urging patience and understanding.

Candidates are advised to re-check their results after 24 hours, as the council works to resolve the problem with urgency and transparency.

“We extend our deep and sincere apologies to all affected candidates and the general public. We appreciate their patience and understanding as we work diligently to resolve this matter with transparency and urgency within the next twenty-four (24) hours. On this note, candidates who have previously checked their results are advised to re-check after 24 hours from now.

“WAEC remains committed to upholding excellence, fairness and transparency in all our assessment processes,” the statement added.

Continue Reading

Education

Applications for 2025/2026 MTN MUSON Music Scholars Programme Begin

Published

on

MTN MUSON Music Scholars Programme

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Young music enthusiasts intending to hone their skills for contribution to the growth of the arts and culture sector in Nigeria have been given another opportunity to enter for a programme put together by MTN Foundation, in partnership with the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON).

The initiative, known as the MTN MUSON Music Scholars Programme, is a fully funded scholarship that offers comprehensive music training at the prestigious MUSON School of Music in Lagos.

The scholarship covers tuition, books and transportation, ensuring that aspiring musicians have the support they need to hone their skills and pursue their passion.

For the 2025/2026 session, the organisers said applicants must possess a Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) or General Certificate of Education (GCE) with at least credits in five subjects, including English Language.

In addition, they are required to have a higher pass certificate of music (Practical and Theory) from a recognized examination body such as MUSON, ABRSM or Trinity.

It was emphasised that applicants who possess practical or theory certificates may also satisfy the GCE (O/L) or SSCE requirements.

This includes Grade five or higher pass certificate of The MUSON School of Music or any other music examining body recognised by the MUSON School.

However, applicants who do not meet the theory requirement but demonstrate outstanding practical ability may be considered. Such students must undertake a remedial theory course and pass the required examination within their first year.

In a statement, prospective candidates were encouraged to apply for the programme, which offers a rigorous curriculum designed to develop well-rounded musicians.

The application deadline for the 2025/2026 academic year is August 25, 2025, and shortlisted candidates will be invited for auditions and interviews at the MUSON Centre in Lagos.

The programme is open to talented young Nigerians who wish to improve their musical skills. Applicants must meet the following minimum academic qualifications:

“We are incredibly proud of our long-standing partnership with MUSON and the profound impact this scholarship programme has had on the lives of young Nigerians

“At MTN, we believe in the power of youth and the transformative potential of education. This programme is a demonstration of our dedication to fostering talent and building a sustainable future for the creative arts in Nigeria,” an Executive Director at MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, stated.

Since its inception, the programme has empowered numerous young Nigerians, enriching their lives and contributing significantly to the vibrant Nigerian music scene. Graduates have gone on to achieve success across various areas of the music industry, both locally and internationally.

Continue Reading

Education

WAEC Releases 2025 WASSCE Results

Published

on

Check WAEC Results

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Results for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) have been released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

In a statement on Monday, the examination body for West Africa said candidates who participated in the exercise were free to check their results on its platform online.

In the notice on its official X handle, WAEC also advised candidates to visit its result portal to check their performance.

“The West African Examinations Council is pleased to inform candidates who sat WASSCE for school candidates, 2025, that the result has officially been released today, Monday, August 4, 2025,” the statement said.

Continue Reading

Trending