Education

ASUU, STUDENTS KICK AS UNILAG INCREASES FEES BY 400%

Published

10 months ago

July 22, 2023

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Lagos (UNILAG) branch, Akoka, and the students of the university, have kicked against increment in school fees now being charged by the institution.

The management of the school has announced the fees increment for all categories of students at a meeting it held on Thursday with the leadership of some staff unions, including the Senior Staff Association (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the National Association of Technologists(NAAT). The new fees regime with details is contained in a Minute of the Meeting issued and signed by Mr Akpan Obono Otu, who acted as the secretary of the meeting.

The Minute is obtained by Nigerian Tribune, on Friday. According to the management, from next academic session on October 3rd, returning students will now be paying between N100,750 and N190,250 depending on courses of study per session with medical and dentistry students paying the highest. On the other hand, those who are coming in newly as undergraduates will be paying between N126,325 and N190,250, and this also depends on their courses of study.

The charges on hostel accommodation and various departmental levies are not captured in the above figures.

The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folashade Ogunsola, who chaired the meeting, offered some explanations why the fee increment for students is inevitable if UNILAG wants to continue to perform its mandates as an institution. She cited, among others, the high costs of operations due to galloping inflation currently experiencing in the country particularly since the recent removal of subsidy on fuel by the Federal Government as reasons.According to her, UNILAG has been running repeatedly a deficit budget to the tune of N1.2 billion in the last three years and can no longer cope particularly with the economic reality in the country.She revealed that the normal annual income accruable to the university from its auxiliary funds stood at N5.6 billion, while its expenditure amounted to N6.8 billion, leaving a deficit of N1.2 billion annually. She maintained that the university can no longer cope with the students paying the same fees they have been paying since 20 years ago, which is about N25,000 per session, hence the decision to jerk up the fees. She noted that all stakeholders including students and staff unions were being carried along to arrive at the new fees regime.

However, the Chairman of the Parent-Forum of the university, Mr Babatunde Majekodunmi, confirmed to Saturday Tribune, on Friday, the claim by the VC that parents were actually carried along and agreed to the new fees.

He explained that the money would have even been higher and up to N400,000 per session but for the appeals made by the forum to the management. But, cross sections of parents of students of the university and students themselves dispelled the claim of the Parent-Forum chairman, saying they were not aware of any meeting where such important matter was tabled let alone party to the decision.

The chairman of ASUU of the branch, Professor Kayode Adebayo, also on his part, told Saturday Tribune, that as far as ASUU is concerned, the union has no mandate to discuss the issue concerning the review of school fees in any university with any management.

He explained that ASUU’s position of no to-school fees increment in any federal university in the country has not changed even till now.

He insisted that the Federal Government has money to fund university education very well but for lack of insincerity and political will of the successive leaders to do so. Similarly, the Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Mr Tope Giwa, who is a student of UNILAG, dispelled the claim by the vice-chancellor that the students were party to the fee increment.

He said UNILAG has banned students’ unionism on campus for a long time and refused to reinstate unionism despite students’ persistent agitation for reinstatement. He noted that only the students’ officers at departmental and faculty levels are in the university and they are not in any way invited by the management to discuss important issues that concern them and even if they do it is not to seek their opinions.

“So, to us as students of UNILAG and every other public university nationwide, we say no to fees increments.

“This is a very difficult time economically for us and for our parents,“So, to increase fees is to add to our pains and we cannot accept it.

“We told President Bola Tinubu when he introduced the Students’ Loan that the policy should not translate to fees hike and he told us that it would not. “So, that is why I will describe this UNILAG new fees matter as laughable and we, the students, will never accept it.

Education

1ST NIGERIAN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS CONFERENCE ON UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) ESSAY COMPETITION

Published

2 months ago

February 29, 2024

Eniola sanni

The 1st Nigerian Tertiary Institutions Conference on UN SDGs presents the SDG Youth Essay Competition, offering undergraduates in Nigerian tertiary institutions a chance to contribute to the discussion on achieving SDG4, Quality Education.

Competition Overview:

1st Nigerian Tertiary Institutions Conference on UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Essay Competition

The SDG Youth Essay Competition offers a grand prize of N1 million for the top three winners, along with free sponsorship to attend the 1st Nigeria Tertiary Institution Conference on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in April 2024 in Abuja.

Competition Requirements:

1. Eligibility:

– Open exclusively to undergraduates in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

2. Entry Guidelines:

– Topic:The Role of Students in Attainment of SDG4

– length: Essays should be 1500 words.

– Entry Period: Thursday, February 1, 2024 – Thursday, February 29, 2024

– Referencing: APA Style (6th Edition).

– Font: Times New Roman, 12-point font size.

– Documentation: Typed in 1.5 line spacing, MS Word format only.

– Plagiarism: Only original content is accepted; plagiarized entries will be disqualified.

Benefits:

– Prizes:

– 1st Prize: N500,000

– 2nd Prize: N300,000

– 3rd Prize: N200,000

– Winners will also receive free sponsorship to attend the 1st Nigeria Tertiary Institution Conference on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in April 2024 in Abuja.

Required Documents:

– Student’s Institution ID Card

– Copy of Student’s Admission Letter

– One recent passport-size photograph

– WhatsApp telephone number and email address

Application Procedure:

– All entries and submissions (essay and required documents) should be scanned and sent to nigeriaessay@sdgyouth.org before the deadline.

For Further Inquiries:

– Call: 08068931151, 08133846739, 07067772964

– Email: nigeriaessay@sdgyouth.org

Deadline: February 29th, 2024

Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to achieving SDG4 and win exciting prizes. Submit your entry and required documents before the deadline. For any inquiries, feel free to contact them via phone or email.

Education

PENTAGON PARTNERS NATIONAL ESSAY COMPETITION FOR UNDERGRADUATE LAW STUDENTS

Published

2 months ago

February 29, 2024

Eniola sanni

Are you an undergraduate law student in Nigeria eager to explore the intersection of law and Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Pentagon Partners presents a unique opportunity for 400-level and 500-level undergraduate law students to participate in the National Essay Competition.

Competition Overview:

Pentagon Partners National Essay Competition for Undergraduate Law Students

The National Essay Competition invites undergraduate law students to showcase their expertise and contribute to the discourse on AI, privacy, and data protection. In addition to cash prizes, participants have the chance to intern with Pentagon Partners, gaining valuable hands-on experience.

Competition Requirements:

1. Eligibility:

– The competition is open to 400-level and 500-level undergraduate law students in Nigerian universities.

2. Essay Requirements:

– Length: Essays should not exceed 1500 words.

– Format: Double spaced, 12pt Times New Roman font.

– References: OSCOLA format for citations with 10pt font size for footnotes and endnotes.

– Submission Format: Essays must be submitted in PDF format.

– Entrant Details: Include full names, school, level, phone number, and email address in both the body of the email and on the last page of the essay.

– Single Entry: Each entrant is allowed only one submission.

– Originality: Plagiarism will result in automatic disqualification.

Competition Benefits and Timeline:

1. Prizes:

– Winner: N200,000

– 1st Runner Up: N150,000

– 2nd Runner Up: N100,000

2. Internship Opportunity:

– In addition to cash prizes, winners have the exclusive opportunity to intern with Pentagon Partners, enhancing their career prospects.

Application Procedure:

– Interested participants should submit their essays to essay@pentagonpartnerslp.com during the submission period.

– The subject of the email should be the Essay topic

For additional information and updates, visit www.pentagonpartnerslp.com.

Deadline: March 22nd, 2024

Don’t miss this chance to showcase your legal expertise, contribute to important discussions on AI and law, and vie for enticing cash prizes. Pentagon Partners looks forward to receiving your submissions.

Education

SYSTEMSPECS CHILDREN’S DAY ESSAY COMPETITION (CDEC), 2024

Published

2 months ago

February 29, 2024

Eniola sanni

The SystemSpecs Children’s Day Essay Competition (CDEC) is an annual event aimed at fostering innovative thinking among primary and secondary school students in Nigeria. It provides a platform for young minds to propose technological solutions to national challenges.

Purpose:
Inaugurated in 2020, the CDEC is part of SystemSpecs’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment to promoting capacity development in the Nigerian ICT industry. By encouraging young Nigerians to tackle everyday issues, the competition contributes to intellectual growth and societal progress.

SystemSpecs Children’s Day Essay Competition (CDEC), 2024

Topic:
The theme for the 2024 competition is “Protecting the Nigerian Child from the Dangers of Online Technology.” Participants are tasked with exploring strategies to safeguard children in an increasingly digital world.

Eligibility:
– Open to primary and secondary school students in Nigeria aged 9 to 16.

– Junior category (ages 9 to 12) essays must not exceed 1,000 words.

– Senior category (ages 13 to 16) essays must not exceed 1,500 words.

Prizes:

– Winners will receive generous rewards, including a high-capacity laptop, premium headphones, a portable laptop stand, a smart wristwatch, and one year of internet data, among other items.

– Consolation prizes will be awarded to other participants.

Application Process:

– Interested candidates should access the application page

– Essays must be written in English and reflect original thought.

– Each participant is limited to one entry.

– Entries must be endorsed by an accredited school official, parent, or legal guardian.

– Deadline for submissions is April 12, 2024.

Submission Guidelines:

– All submissions must be in PDF format and include the student’s name, home and school addresses, email address, and contact phone number.

– Double entries will result in automatic disqualification.

– Submissions must be received by March 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Notification of Winners:

– Successful students and schools will be contacted in the second quarter of the year.

– Updates on winners will be announced on @nercng social media platforms.

The SystemSpecs Children’s Day Essay Competition offers a unique opportunity for Nigerian students to demonstrate their creativity and problem-solving skills. By addressing the theme of online child protection, participants contribute to building a safer and more secure digital environment for all. We encourage eligible students to seize this opportunity and showcase their talent and ingenuity.