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Hike in School Fees: Lawan meets regulatory Agencies in Education Sector

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Senate President Ahmad Lawan
Senate President Ahmad Lawan
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The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday held a meeting with heads of regulatory agencies in education sector to douse the brewing tension over an alleged hike in registration fees in some tertiary Institutions.

In attendance at the meeting were the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission(NUC), Professor Abubakar Rasheed, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education(NCCE), Professor Paulinus Chijoke Okwelle and Hajia Bilkisu Salihijo Ahmad representing the National Board for Technical Education( NBTE).

In his opening remarks, the Senate President told his guests that he convened the meeting as a follow-up to an earlier engagement which he had last week with the Coalition of Northern Groups – Students’ Wing which brought a complaint of a plan by some tertiary institutions to hike registration fees.

“We felt that we actually owe it a duty to listen to our students and of course also hear from you because we need to establish beyond reasonable doubt what the situation is,” Lawan said.

The Senate President cautioned that “whatever situations we find ourselves, we must not do anything that will jeopardise the position of our students particularly at a time that is so difficult.

“We understand that our tertiary Institutions have need for more resources but we equally understand that our students are mostly from very poor background and we must do everything possible to protect those who are so vulnerable.

“The finances for their education must never be hurdles between them and actualising their dreams. So we have to find out how this situation is and we take the appropriate measures.

“Because you represent the supervising bodies for our tertiary Institutions, we felt that we should start with you, listen to you and then we can now find a way out of this.”

He assured the students that the National Assembly and indeed the government would always work to protect and support them to continue with their education.

Responding on behalf of his other colleagues, the NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Rasheed commended the Senate President for his timely intervention.

“Your concern is shared by all of us. It will, at this point, be difficult to know exactly which Universities are violating or not. But after this meeting, we shall consult all the Universities with a template to complete and tell us exactly what charges they have.

“We shall advertise. If we are misled, we shall be able to get to know. We understand that the Universities cannot be forced to charge uniform fees across the country because they have different demands and they come from different situations.

“Possibly a University in Lagos or Port harcourt may charge slightly more than Universities in some rural areas. But there should be a base line.

“One University cannot charge 20,000 naira while the other charges 150,000 naira to Nigerian students where tuition has been free since 1978 at the undergraduate level.

“We are happy that you have now raised this alarm on time and I will go back immediately, consult Vice Chancellors and if possible we shall bring them to a meeting to discuss whatever resolution we arrive at, at the end of this meeting,” Professor Rasheed said.

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Education

UNIBEN Bans Sign-Out Celebrations, Warns of Severe Sanctions for Violators

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The management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State, has banned all forms of sign-out celebrations by graduating students.

The announcement was contained in a circular issued on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, by the university’s Registrar, Ademola Bobola.

According to the statement, the decision followed a management meeting held on Monday, where the institution reaffirmed an earlier Senate resolution prohibiting such activities on campus.

“The management declared that no sign-out celebration of any kind, including signing on T-shirts and playing of music, will be tolerated,” the circular read.

Bobola warned that any student found violating the directive would face severe disciplinary actions, including rustication, expulsion, or withdrawal of certificate.

He added that the university would not condone any form of disorderly conduct, unauthorised gatherings, or parading of vehicles during or after examinations.

The Registrar also announced that unauthorised vehicles would be barred from entering the campuses during the last week of the second-semester examination.

In addition, the management prohibited large gatherings around faculties, schools, or institutes after examinations and directed photographers not to set up photo stands or galleries for such purposes.

Bobola further advised parents and guardians of final-year students to stay away from campus premises, particularly on the last day of examinations, to avoid any breach of the directive.

He urged members of the university community to adhere strictly to the management’s position, warning that violations would attract “severe disciplinary sanctions, including withdrawal of certificate, rustication, and expulsion.”

 

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Education

OAU Medical Student Dies by Suicide After Failing Exam Twice

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The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has been thrown into mourning following the death of a part-two medical student, Ajibola Ibitayo, who reportedly took his own life after failing an examination for the second time.

In a statement on Thursday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, said Ibitayo, with matriculation number DEN/2021/023, was a student in the Faculty of Dentistry. The results of the last semester examinations, released on Wednesday, indicated that he would have to repeat Part Two for another academic year, having already repeated the class once.

According to the statement, the student, whose father is a medical doctor, allegedly injected himself at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State.

Saddened by the incident, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simeon Bamire, appealed to parents and guardians to help young people understand that setbacks are a natural part of life and not the end of their aspirations. He urged students to see failure as a redirection toward greater achievements.

Bamire prayed for comfort for the bereaved family, the Faculty of Dentistry, the College of Health Sciences, and the entire university community over the tragic loss.

 

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WAEC Releases 2025 WASSCE Results, Addresses Concerns Over Night Exams

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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the results of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.

In a statement issued on Monday, August 4, 2025, via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Council announced that all candidates who participated in this year’s examination can now access their results online.

“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 read.

Candidates are advised to check their results by visiting www.waecdirect.org and entering their examination number and registration PIN.

The announcement comes in the wake of public criticism over reports that some WASSCE papers were conducted at night in certain locations, including Taraba and Ogun States. Viral videos showing students sitting for exams under artificial lighting had sparked concerns over safety, logistics, and the welfare of candidates.

Responding to the backlash, the Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Mr. Amos Dangut, clarified that the late-night examinations were a strategic measure to counter a potential security threat. He explained that the Council received credible intelligence suggesting a risk of exam paper leakage, necessitating an urgent rescheduling to safeguard the integrity of the test.

“Our decision to conduct some papers at night was based on verified intelligence suggesting possible leakage. We acted swiftly to uphold the credibility of the examination process,” Mr. Dangut stated.

WAEC confirmed that similar night sessions were held in parts of Kwara, Taraba, and other northern states under strict supervision.

While the development raised questions about preparedness and candidate well-being, the Council reiterated its commitment to maintaining high standards of credibility and fairness in all examinations across the region.

WAEC also called on stakeholders—parents, schools, and candidates—to remain alert and collaborative in ensuring the continued integrity of its examination processes.

 

 

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