Author: Deborah Tolu-Kolawole
Latest news from the Federal Government reveals a new directive to calculate the accrued pension of serving federal civil servants. The Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, is focusing on employees hired on or before June 30, 2024. This initiative aims to plan ahead for the early release of workers’ entitlements, reducing delays in pension payments. Despite the government’s efforts, there have been challenges with delays in releasing accrued pension rights. The Federal Government has been urged to prioritize the payment of these entitlements, which are essential for retired…
The Governing Councils of Federal universities, polytechnics, and other tertiary institutions are set to be inaugurated on July 4, 2024, with a total of 560 individuals appointed to oversee the affairs of government-owned tertiary institutions. President Bola Tinubu approved the reconstitution of these councils and boards for effective management across the country. Notable appointments include Chief Bisi Akande as Chairman of the University of Ibadan’s governing council, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) as Chairman of the University of Lagos’ council, and Isa Yuguda as Chair of the National Open University’s board. Each institution’s council members were carefully selected to ensure diverse…
The European Union is urging the Nigerian government to step up its funding for social protection programs to alleviate poverty in the country. Massimo De Luca, the Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, emphasized the importance of social protection as a vital support system for vulnerable communities. The recent Social Protection Cross-Learning Summit in Abuja highlighted the significance of investing in social protection for human capital development. De Luca pointed out that social protection plays a crucial role in providing safety nets for essential services like education, health, and nutrition, contributing to economic stability and…
Update: Nigerian Education Loan Fund Extends Application Process for Student Loans The Management of Nigerian Education Loan Fund has announced a 14-day postponement of the application process for student loans at state institutions. This delay is due to low data submissions from various schools, hindering the verification process for student loan applicants. With only a limited number of state-owned institutions successfully completing the data submission process, the Fund has decided to extend the application window. The new opening date is now scheduled for July 10, 2024, to allow for more time for state institutions to comply with the necessary data…
Upcoming Meeting to Determine Admission Cut-Off Marks for Universities and Colleges The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will convene a meeting with key stakeholders in the education sector on July 18, 2024, to set the cut-off marks for admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. This decision comes following the release of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination results earlier in April, where a total of 1,904,189 candidates sat for the exam. During the meeting, chaired by the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, reports on the UTME results and Direct Entry applications will be presented, along with an…
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is set to convene a meeting on July 18, 2024, with various stakeholders in the education sector to determine the cut-off marks for admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Chaired by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, the meeting will review the results of the recent Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the ongoing Direct Entry applications. Key performance indicators will be analyzed to guide government policy decisions on admission criteria, based on past admission exercises. The meeting will also assess the performance of candidates in the current year’s UTME…
President Bola Tinubu recently addressed the issue of civil servants drawing salaries while living abroad, directing that they must refund the money. In a speech delivered at an award night organized by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Tinubu expressed disappointment in the fraudulent behavior of ghost workers and called for accountability and restitution. Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Tinubu emphasized the need for supervisors and department heads to also face consequences for allowing such fraud to occur under their watch. The President assured that measures would…
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, has proposed a one-year mandatory training program for workers with Higher National Diploma (HND) before they can be converted from Executive to Officers cadre. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between polytechnic-awarded HNDs and university degrees. During a virtual interactive session marking the 2024 Civil Service Week, the theme was centered around building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa. Yemi-Esan emphasized the importance of education being accessible, inclusive, and of high quality to meet the demands of the…
Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, criticized the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court for overstepping their jurisdiction in chieftaincy matters. In a statement, Falana expressed disbelief at the courts claiming authority to decide on such issues, despite contradicting previous judgments. He highlighted the importance of upholding the decisions of higher courts, such as the Supreme Court, in matters of chieftaincy. Falana emphasized that the right to become an Emir is not a fundamental right under the Constitution, and both courts erred in their decisions regarding the dispute over the deposition and restoration…
The Kaduna State Government allocates N4bn annually to feed schoolchildren in a bid to combat the rising number of out-of-school children in the state. Dr. Fauziya Buhari-Ado, Governor Uba Sani’s Special Assistant on School Feeding, revealed that the feeding cost was recently increased to N700 per child per day, benefiting 25,000 students in 51 boarding schools across all local government areas. This initiative has not only boosted school enrollment and attendance but has also positively impacted the local economy. Buhari-Ado emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring compliance with menu guidelines, food quality, hygiene standards, and timely service delivery, resulting in…