By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Two Nigerian students have been granted scholarships for their undergraduate studies in technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), at Plaksha University in Mohali, India.

The students, Terence Ifeanyichukwu and Ali Usman Mohammed, will study at the higher institution known for reimagining engineering education for the 21st century courtesy of Airtel Africa Foundation.

They were chosen by the organisation through Airtel Nigeria in a bold step towards advancing access to education and youth empowerment in the country.

A statement from the network provider disclosed that the two students were picked as recipients of the prestigious Airtel Africa Fellowship, a flagship educational initiative of the Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa, launched in September 2024.

The fellowship aims to provide academically gifted but financially disadvantaged African youth with access to quality STEM education and global opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.

The selection process, fully managed by Plaksha University, was competitive and rigorous; rooted in the university’s high standards and commitment to diversity.

Applicants were evaluated through a comprehensive process that considered academic excellence, leadership potential, personal drive, and alignment with Plaksha University’s mission.

From a broad pool spanning Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and Tanzania, 21 candidates were shortlisted, with 13 completing both interview stages. Following a final review by the university’s admissions committee, two candidates, both Nigerians, were presented with admission offers.

“Beyond offering an opportunity to study in one of the most advanced universities in the world, this Fellowship is also about equipping Africa’s future tech leaders with up-to-date skills while nurturing their talent, drive, and ambition to change their communities and the world.

“We are immensely proud of Terence and Ali and are confident they will make Nigeria proud,” the chairman of Airtel Africa Foundation, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, commented.

“Through high-calibre technology education like that which is offered through the Airtel Africa Fellowship, our hope is to contribute significantly to the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy by helping to train a large number of technical talents across the board,” he added amid plans to announce 100 additional local scholarships to more Nigerian undergraduates.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A framework for the administration of the Student Loan Scheme established under the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024 for public tertiary institutions has been released by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

The organisation said the guidelines were designed for seamless implementation of the programme, ensuring transparent, inclusive, and accountable processes for Nigerian students seeking financial support for their education.

The guidelines were issued in line with Section 23(3) of the Student Loans Act 2024 and mark a significant milestone in the government’s commitment to ensuring inclusive access to higher education, reducing dropout rates, and fostering socio-economic mobility.

The federal government under President Bola Tinubu introduced the initiative to allow Nigerian students in public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education received funding support for the completion of their studies in the country.

NELFUND said students eligible for the scheme are Nigerian citizens with valid admission into an Eligible Tertiary Institution (ETI) and provide key identification such as NIN, BVN, and JAMB details.

It stated that all loan requests would be processed via the NELFUND online portal, requiring accurate personal, academic and KYC information.

The organisation disclosed that approved loans would be disbursed directly to institutions to cover tuition and institutional charges, while optional upkeep allowances may be paid directly to students.

As for repayment, beneficiaries will begin repayment two years after completing NYSC or exemption, with 10 per cent of income remitted monthly under PAYE or self-employment models.

It noted that institutions are obligated to verify applications within 20 working days, process refunds where necessary, and comply with reporting requirements. Breaches may attract sanctions, including suspension from the scheme.

“This initiative goes beyond providing loans; it is about removing financial barriers to education, fostering skills development, and building a future where every Nigerian student can achieve their potential regardless of background.

“These guidelines provide the roadmap for institutions and students to access the scheme transparently and effectively,” the Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, stated.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has denied reaching an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to avert the industrial action threatened by the lecturers.

The Minister of Education, Mr Tunji Alausa, told journalists in Abuja, on Thursday, that all the claimed agreements by ASUU were just a proposal contained in the draft agreement.

He said: “I read some reports in the media on Thursday indicating that we have a meeting with ASUU. That was not correct. Rather, we had an expanded meeting with relevant stakeholders to review the content of the draft agreement.

“At the end of the day, we set up a committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, to make a counter proposal to ASUU detailing what the government can offer.

“The committee is expected to go through the content of ASUU demands, line by line, and make a proposal to ASUU. Afterwards, the proposal will be sent to the Yayale Ahmed led committee for onward presentation to ASUU.

“But it’s important for Nigerians to know that the government has no signed agreement with ASUU. All we had over the years was a draft agreement that was not signed,” he clarified.

Earlier, ASUU stated it would not participate in the eagerly anticipated meeting with the federal government to finalise the 2009 agreement with the union.

The 2009 agreement remains the touchstone of the dispute, signed under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, which promised comprehensive reforms to Nigeria’s public universities, including sustained revitalisation funding, institutional autonomy, a negotiated salary and conditions package for academics, and a monitoring framework for implementation.

The high-stakes meeting was to make a counter offer to the university teachers in a bid to turn years of stalled renegotiations into concrete and implementable commitments.

Warnings from ASUU branches have emerged nationwide that their patience is exhausted, after a renegotiation process concluded in December 2024 and formally submitted to government in February 2025.

Union leaders insist that the draft must now be signed and implemented to avert another nationwide shutdown of public universities.