Here are the headlines as they were published in the dailies today

TheGuardian

Autonomy: VC proposes major reforms for varsities

The Vice Chancellor, Trinity University, Lagos, Prof. Clement Kolawole, has identified key reforms that the Federal Government must introduce before going ahead with its proposed financial autonomy for Nigerian universities. Kolawole recommended the review and eventual dissolution of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and a critical review of the roles of the National Universities Commission (NUC).He identified some of the roles as permission for each university to develop and teach its own home-grown curricula and monitoring of accreditation functions by an independent statutory body. Read more: https://guardian.ng/features/education/autonomy-vc-proposes-major-reforms-for-varsities/

Firms equip students with STEM skills

Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) and KPMG have trained students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills to boost their employability opportunities.

The training was done through the JA career success programme for secondary school students with the integration of STEM curriculum. According to the firms, the programme was aimed at equipping young individuals with essential skills and knowledge required to build resilience in the future. The seven-week programme was designed to empower senior secondary school students with the necessary skills that would enable them become employable for high-growth career opportunities.Read more:https://guardian.ng/features/education/firms-equip-students-with-stem-skills/

Over N400b disbursed to tertiary institutions in 2023, says TETFund

The TheExecutive Secretary of Tertiary Education Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, has disclosed that over N400 billion was disbursed to tertiary institutions across the country last year.

Echono, told journalists, that the amount represented the backlog of previous years that were not accessed, and disbursement for year 2023. He explained that the funds were in two phases, with the approved disbursement for year 2023 alone amounting to N320 billion. He said: “I am also pleased to report that today they have accessed more than that. The reason is that we have a backlog of allocations from previous years that some institutions have not accessed, but because we streamlined the process and created an avenue to assist the institutions in accessing their backlog, that number has grown. Read more: https://guardian.ng/features/education/over-n400b-disbursed-to-tertiary-institutions-in-2023-says-tetfund/

Niger to upgrade state-owned varsity of education

Niger State governor, Mohammed Bago, has announced plans to upgrade the state-owned Abdulkadir Kuri University of Education, Minna, to a conventional institution to address the gaps in some fields.

Bago, who stated this while inaugurating the institution’s governing council, emphasised the need to run programmes like medicine, aviation, science and technology as well as climate change in the university.The governor stated this during the inauguration of a 16-member governing council of Engineer Abdulkadir Kuri University of Education, Minna.The governor assured that funding has already been secured for the take-off of the institution, and restated his administration’s resolve to prioritise education from basic to tertiary level. Read more:https://guardian.ng/features/education/niger-to-upgrade-state-owned-varsity-of-education/

JAMB introduces verbal reasoning test for direct entry applicants

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed that candidates for its direct entry examination would henceforth be subjected to cognitive and verbal reasoning tests. The Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this during a virtual meeting with commissioners of education in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.Oloyede explained that the test would assess candidates’ academic potential or career suitability, as well as their mental or physical capacity. Read more:https://guardian.ng/features/education/jamb-introduces-verbal-reasoning-test-for-direct-entry-applicants/

UNILAG attracts N11.5b research grant, redesigns academic programmes

Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, has disclosed that the institution is currently undertaking major review of some of its academic programmes to foster growth in the fields and produce future-ready graduates.

Ogunsola, who listed some of the courses as Architecture, Creative Arts and Mass Communications, said the redesign was in response to industry needs and emergence global standards, and would establish them as stand-alone faculties.

The Vice Chancellor, while giving her score card at a media parley, also added that the university has attracted about N11.5 billion in research grants since she came on board. Read more:https://guardian.ng/features/unilag-attracts-n11-5b-research-grant-redesigns-academic-programmes/

vanguard

COCSON faults FG’s dissolution of University Governing Council

Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) on Tuesday said that the Federal Government, by the existing laws has no power to dissolve universities governing council, unless they are found incompetent or wanting.

This is as they have called on President Bola Tinubu to show a worthy example in conformity with the extant laws of the constitution, stating that the present situation where presidential powers are being used to usurp the powers of the university system should be urgently reversed. Read more:https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/01/cocson-faults-fgs-dissolution-of-university-governing-council/

AAU Alumni Association mourns Warri chapter chairman

The Ambrose Alli University Alumni Association, Warri Chapter has described the death of its Chairman, Omoefe Pela Taiga as a great loss, not only to the Association, but to the legal profession and the society at large.Eulogizing the deceased Chairman who was described as a great compatriot and asset to the Association, said she was a selfless and promising lawyer whose life was cut short by death. Read more: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/01/aau-alumni-association-mourns-warri-chapter-chairman/

Charity group boosts education, supports post-graduate students

A non-governmental organisation, i-Scholar initiative, has said it would assist young Nigerians with the payment of standardised test fees for international post-graduate programmes.

According to them, this would be achieved through a scholarship scheme focused on delivering, among others, end-to-end mentorship and integrated test fees for scholars. Read more:https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/01/charity-group-boosts-education-supports-post-graduate-students/

Dailypost

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University bans students protest

The management of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU has introduced an oath form compelling students not to partake in any form of protest.

Our reporter learned that the school management’s decision was influenced by a recent student protest triggered by the killing of Joseph Agabaidu, a fifth-year Geology student.Joseph, who hails from Ankpa Local Government Area in Kogi State but resides in Benue State, was the eldest among his four siblings studying at the ATBU, Bauchi.

He was fatally stabbed on December 2, 2023, while attempting to recover his girlfriend’s bag from assailants who had previously stolen it.The tragic incident occurred near Yelwan Tudu market in the Yelwa area, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis, around 7:00 pm on a Saturday. Read more:https://dailypost.ng/2024/01/10/abubakar-tafawa-balewa-university-bans-students-protest/