Education
Infrastructure face-lift, grants ‘re products of ASUU struggles – LAUTECH vows not to pull out of strike
The Ibadan Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Wednesday in Ogbomoso stated that Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso remain steadfast and will not pull-out of the ongoing strike declared by the National body of the Union.
The Union said that LAUTECH ASUU believes in the long term benefit of repositioning the public universities and are not driven by primordial sentiments being dished out in some quarters.
Addressing a Press conference, the Coordinator, Ibadan zone of the Union, Professor Oyebamiji Oyegoke stated that the current infrastructure face-lift which LAUTECH enjoys and TETFUND grants which its staff enjoy are products of ASUU struggles without which the Institution will not be able to have a semblance of a University.
He noted that “that LAUTECH branch of ASUU is actively involved in the current twelve weeks roll-over strike alongside our national body is to draw the attention of Federal Government of Nigeria on the need to implement the Renegotiated Agreement which FGN signed with ASUU in 2009. Other pertinent issues included the agreement include: Improved salary/working conditions for members; stoppage of proliferation of State and Private Universities; unacceptable use of IPPIS as salary payment platform; adoption of UTAS as acceptable salary payment platform; funding for Revitalization of Public Universities; to mention a few.”
While noting that “it will be unfair and unsavoury not to give kudos to the statesmanship efforts of Engr. Seyi Makinde in resolving the problems that had stagnated the growth of LAUTECH by way of dual ownership”, Professor Oyebamiji added that “it is important to note that LAUTECH’s charter and membership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and its principled position on what public universities (whether national or state) should be and how they should be funded to make them internationally competitive has greatly aided the commendable position and standing of the institution.”
The ASUU boss noted that academics at LAUTECH have committed themselves to teaching and researching despite the fact that they are owed earned academic allowances for more sessions which is part of the struggles of the ongoing strike.
“Academic staff members of ASUU in LAUTECH have sacrificed greatly to ensure that academic programmes not only run successively but also ensure that the University’s rating internationally over the years are sustained. Not minding the increasing students’ entries occasioned by the University popularity, the academic staff members’ strength is stretched to the brim to the extent of conducting three semesters in a session in some instances. The accruing Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) on these excess academic exertions is one of the issued which ASUU National is agitating for.”
While asking parents and students to join the Union to fight for their future, the Ibadan Zone of ASUU warned against playing up primordial sentiments saying “as far as ASUU is concerned, its perception of developmental issues confronting Nigerians whether political, economic, or educational is national rather than ethnic, religious, or of any other primordial preferences. Consequently, ASUU’s focus is on public institutions especially Universities whether Federal or State.”
“Since its inception, LAUTECH has benefitted and still, is benefitting from ASUU’s steadfast struggles on public education in Nigeria. Before its transformation into Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), LAUTECH was among the initial beneficiaries of Education Tax Fund (ETF) in the 90s. This is aside from many of the staff members that benefitted from TETFUND Scholarships. The many befitting buildings which dot the campus landscape are evidences of the gains which LAUTECH as a branch has attracted by its chartered membership of ASUU.What ASUU is pursuing, which its branch at LAUTECH also believes in, is repositioning public universities whether Federal or States to serve as agents for developmental transformation. To this end, the MoA of 2020 signed between FGN and ASUU encapsulating all that needed to be done to make public universities (Federal or State) be what they should be must be honoured and implemented. Our struggles are about principles and conviction, and not personal, ethnic or religious.”
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in the state to embark on an indefinite strike over the continued abduction of teachers and pupils.
The strike, which takes effect from Monday, June 1, 2026, is expected to ground academic activities across public schools in the state.
The union said the action became imperative following what it described as growing insecurity in schools and the prolonged captivity of abducted teachers and pupils whose whereabouts remain unknown.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Oyo State Wing of the NUT, Hassan Fatai, and the Secretary, Salami Olukayode, the union expressed concerns over the psychological impact of the incidents on teachers, learners and parents.
According to the union, the lingering abduction cases have created fear and anxiety among teachers, weakened confidence in the safety of schools and discouraged many parents from sending their children to school.
The statement read in part, “The Nigeria Union of Teachers, Oyo State Wing, hereby directs all public primary and secondary school teachers across the state to commence an indefinite strike action effective from Monday, June 1, 2026, pending urgent and decisive action by relevant authorities on the abduction of teachers and pupils.”
The union explained that the industrial action was aimed at compelling the government and security agencies to intensify efforts toward the immediate and unconditional release of the victims.
It urged teachers across the state to comply fully with the directive, remain peaceful and law-abiding, and prioritise their safety while staying away from classrooms during the strike.
The NUT also expressed solidarity with the abducted victims and their families, assuring that it would continue to engage relevant authorities until the victims were safely rescued.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare, safety and security of teachers and pupils, stressing that the protection of school communities remained non-negotiable.
No fewer than 2,243,816 candidates on Thursday commenced the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board across accredited Computer-Based Test centres nationwide.
The figure represents a 10.5 per cent increase from the 2.03 million candidates recorded in 2025.
The examination, which began on April 16, is being conducted in about 1,000 CBT centres nationwide, with candidates scheduled in four daily sessions to reduce congestion and improve verification processes.
The board said it had deployed biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems to safeguard the integrity of the exercise, noting that candidates whose biometric details could not be authenticated would be rescheduled.
Candidates were advised to print their examination slips from the JAMB portal to confirm their schedules and arrive at least one hour before their examination time.
Under the revised timetable, first-session candidates are expected at 7:00 a.m., followed by 9:00 a.m. for the second session, 11:00 a.m. for the third session, and 2:00 p.m. for the final session.
JAMB disclosed that Lagos State recorded the highest number of registered candidates with 381,814, followed by Ogun with 137,156 and Oyo with 122,662. Kaduna recorded 103,498 candidates, while the Federal Capital Territory had 102,961.
Other states include Rivers with 105,584 candidates and Kano with 83,167, while Borno and Zamfara recorded the lowest figures with 13,483 and 14,861 candidates respectively.
Outside Nigeria, participation remained low, with Côte d’Ivoire recording 32 candidates, followed by Equatorial Guinea with 16, Burkina Faso with 14, and the United Kingdom with 12 candidates.
As part of efforts to enhance efficiency, the board increased the number of CBT centres but delisted 23 centres across several states, including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Edo, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, over technical deficiencies observed during the mock examination.
The board said the action was necessary to maintain operational standards and ensure the credibility of the examination process.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force dismissed reports of insecurity at some centres, describing such claims as unfounded.
The police said it had deployed additional personnel, including patrol teams, perimeter surveillance units and rapid response squads, to ensure the safety of candidates nationwide.
The force added that it was collaborating with other security agencies to monitor the exercise and respond swiftly to any threats.
It assured parents and candidates of adequate security, urging candidates to comply with examination guidelines, arrive early and report suspicious activities.
The police also advised the public to disregard unverified information on social media and rely on official communication channels.
JAMB reiterated its commitment to transparency, warning candidates against accepting admissions outside its Central Admissions Processing System.
It stressed that any admission conducted outside CAPS would be considered illegal and would not be recognised.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has delisted 23 Computer-Based Test centres nationwide following technical deficiencies recorded during the 2026 mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The Board disclosed this in a bulletin issued on Friday and signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, as preparations intensify for the 2026 UTME scheduled to hold across the country from April 16 to April 25.
According to JAMB, the mock examination was designed to assess operational readiness and identify centres that failed to meet the required technical standards.
“Following the conduct of the 2026 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, the Board has delisted 23 Computer-Based Test centres for technical deficiencies,” the statement read.
The Board added that several centres with minor issues had been placed on notice, warning that continued non-compliance could lead to further sanctions. It also stated that one centre would no longer be used for any of its examinations.
JAMB disclosed that a total of 2,243,816 candidates registered for the 2026 UTME, with Lagos recording 321,814 candidates, Kaduna 303,498, the Federal Capital Territory 302,963, and Ogun 137,156.
To improve accessibility and logistics, the Board said it increased the number of approved examination centres to 1,000 nationwide, up from fewer than 800 in 2025.
However, an internal review conducted after the mock exercise revealed that some centres failed to meet operational and technical benchmarks, prompting their removal from the approved list.
The delisting followed reports of widespread technical glitches during the mock examination, including network failures, system malfunctions and delayed commencement of tests in several locations. Some candidates and parents also complained about hours-long waiting periods at affected centres.
The affected centres are located in Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo and Plateau states.
Among the delisted centres are Micben Seat of Wisdom Academy, Ukwa West, Abia; Bishop Crowther Seminary CBT Centre, Awka, and The Oracle Lens, Nnokwa, Anambra; Derby’s Young ICT Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa; Avid ICT Solutions CBT Centre, Asaba, Delta; and Daniet Global Resources CBT Centre, Benin City, Edo.
Others include De-Lite CBT Centre, Maitama, Abuja; Florin High School CBT Centre, Ejigbo; Folbob CBT Centre, Lakowe; Great Kezino College CBT Centre, Ikorodu; Obans CBT Centre, Ikorodu; and Teesas Learning and CBT Centre, Lekki, all in Lagos.
Also affected are Braingate Model Schools CBT Centre, Arepo, and Greenhills Academy CBT Centre, Itele, Ogun State; Oduduwa University CBT Centre, Ile-Ife, Osun State; Lasting Glory Schools CBT Centre, Ibadan; Nesam International School CBT Centre, Ibadan; SAF Polytechnic CBT Centre, Iseyin, Oyo State; and Rabjib Computer Academy, Jos, Plateau State.
JAMB stated that the decision formed part of efforts to safeguard the integrity of its examination process and ensure that only centres that meet its operational requirements are used for the main UTME.
The Board assured candidates that necessary measures had been put in place to ensure a smooth conduct of the examination nationwide.
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