Here are the headlines as they were published in the dailies.
Punch
Identify education sector challenges, Minister tells NCE
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has called on stakeholders at the 67th National Council On Education to identify the challenges of quality and access to education.
Mamman on Thursday reiterated that the 67th NCE conference, titled, ‘Addressing the Challenges of Policy Implementation: A Panacea for the Achievement of Education 2030 Agenda,’ sought to examine the critical issues that affected policy implementation in education putting into focus effective strategies that could lead to the attainment of education 2030 agenda and national growth and development. Read more: https://punchng.com/identify-education-sector-challenges-minister-tells-nce/
‘Conducive environment boosts education’
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Chemstar Group, Dr Emmanuel Awode, has said a conducive learning environment will boost quality education.
Awode said this while donating a primary and secondary school, Galilee Primary and Secondary School, to the Galilee Land City, Headquarters of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, Orile-Igbon, Oyo State. Read more: https://punchng.com/conducive-environment-boosts-education/
Don laments lack of good governance culture
Professor of History and African International Relations, Professor Sola Akinrinade, has decried the level of good governance in Nigeria, saying the country lacks an enviable record of good governance.
The don, however, noted that it was too early to judge the present administration of President Bola Tinubu but urged the current administration to prioritise funding of higher education and the welfare of staff of higher institutions in the country.
He stated this at the 10th distinguished lecture of the University of Medical Science, Ondo, Ondo State, held on the campus of the institution, on Thursday. Read more: https://punchng.com/don-laments-lack-of-good-governance-culture/
TheGuardian
Harvard Professors to Lead 7-Week Online Course for Africa’s Aspiring Entrepreneurs
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, December 15 2023 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- Today marks the exciting launch of enrollment for AfricaLive!, a ground-breaking 7-week online course meticulously designed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs with the essential skills and insights for success in the rapidly evolving African business landscape.
This highly anticipated program is the product of an extraordinary collaboration, bringing together the academic expertise of Harvard Business School Professors Caroline Elkins, Tarun Khanna, and Karim Lakhani with the leadership acumen of the Aspire Institute, the digital proficiency of Africa.com, and the community-centric vision of the Sight and Life Foundation. This unique fusion creates a comprehensive educational journey tailored to the diverse business environment of Africa. Read more: https://guardian.ng/ama-press-releases/harvard-professors-to-lead-7-week-online-course-for-africas-aspiring-entrepreneurs/
Tribune
ASUU: What you need to know about IPPIS and Nigerian varsities’ exemption
In the past few days, considerable attention has surrounded the Federal government’s decision to remove tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, made the announcement on Wednesday to State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja.
According to the Minister, “the president and the Council are just concerned about the efficiency of management of the universities, and so it has nothing to do with integrity or platform options.” Read more: https://tribuneonlineng.com/asuu-what-you-need-to-know-about-ippis-and-nigerian-varsities-exemption/
39 million Nigerian children can’t read, write — FG
The Federal Government revealed on Thursday that about 39 million children of school-going age in Nigeria could neither read nor write.
The government also said that while Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest burden of out-of-school children, especially between the ages of six and 14, globally, only 25 per cent of those in schools are proficient in reading and numeracy
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, gave these statistics in Lagos at the Ministerial Session of the ongoing 67th National Council on Education (NCE) Meeting at the Lagos Airport Hotel Ikeja, quoting the World Bank report. Read more: https://tribuneonlineng.com/39-million-nigerian-children-cant-read-write-fg/
Legit.ng
UNIJOS Threatens to Withdraw Certificates of Graduates, Gives Reason
The University of Jos (UNIJOS) Plateau state, has threatened to withdraw certificates of its graduates found wanting in character.
The UNIJOS vice-chancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya, said the decision is to maintain the reputation of the institution.
Ishaya said the UNIJOS has trained many people who are making positive contributions for the benefit of humanity globally. Read more: https://www.legit.ng/education/1568648-unijos-threatens-withdraw-certificates-erring-graduates/
“That’s not the only issue”: ASUU Reacts To Removal Of Universities From IPPIS Platform
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reacted to the decision of the federal government to exempt tertiary institutions from IPPIS.
The ASUU president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, commended President Bola Tinubu, describing it as a good step in the right direction.
Osodeke, however, said removing lecturers from IPPIS is not the only issue the union has with the federal government. Read more: https://www.legit.ng/education/1568689-s-issue-asuu-reacts-removal-universities-ippis-platform/
2024 Ranking: List of Top 20 Best Universities in The World
The QS World University Rankings has released the 2024 edition of its top global universities rankings.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford were ranked the top three universities in the world.
The ranking featured 1,500 institutions across 104 locations with an emphasis on employability and sustainability. Read more: https://www.legit.ng/education/1568713-2024-ranking-list-top-20-universities-world/
Premium Times
Nigerian universities, others no longer need waivers to fill vacancies -Minister
Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, has announced that the federal government-owned tertiary institutions- universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and monotechnics, will no longer need to obtain waivers from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation to fill vacancies in their institutions.
Mr Mamman, a professor, made this disclosure on Thursday in Lagos while addressing the delegates at the 67th National Council on Education Meeting hosted by the Lagos State Government.
The new development is coming less than 24 hours after the announcement of the removal of the tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for the payment of their staff salaries and emoluments. Read more: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/651675-nigerian-universities-others-no-longer-need-waivers-to-fill-vacancies-minister.html
‘Training one medical student costs N5bn’ – VCs decry poor funding of govt universities
The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) decries inadequate funding as one of the major challenges militating against effective growth and global ranking of public universities in Nigeria.
The Secretary-General of CVCNU, Yakubu Ochefu, a professor, said this in Abuja on Thursday at a ‘Workshop for Advancement and Alumni Officers.
He said there was a need for cost-sharing based on what was required to train a student at the university. Read more:https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/651774-training-one-medical-student-costs-n5bn-vcs-decry-poor-funding-of-govt-universities.html
Group lists reasons to reject Tinubu’s students’ loan policy
As the Nigerian government insists on implementing the Access to Higher Education Act 2023, otherwise known as the Students Loan Act, the Education Rights Campaign (ERC)- a pressure group, has unveiled 10 reasons the law should be rejected.
The civil society group in a new publication titled: “Ten Reasons Why Tinubu’s Students Loan is a Scam”, highlighted “important facts and evidence exposing the contradictions and unworkability of the policy.”
The publication was unveiled Wednesday with the support of ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), as the group further reiterated its demand for the conversion of students’ loans into a grant to support the living expenses of undergraduates. Read more:https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/651687-group-lists-reasons-to-reject-tinubus-students-loan-policy.html