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Covenant University (CU), a private institution in Nigeria, has been ranked as the country’s top university in the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings.

The prestigious global ranking, published annually by Times Higher Education, evaluates universities worldwide.

For the 2024 edition, THE assessed 1,907 universities from 108 countries and regions using 18 performance indicators. These indicators measured an institution’s achievements in areas such as teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.

The 2024 ranking involved the analysis of over 134 million citations from 16.5 million research publications and survey responses from 68,402 scholars worldwide. Additionally, 411,789 data points were collected from 2,673 institutions that submitted data for consideration.

On the global stage, the University of Oxford in the UK retained its top position for the ninth consecutive year, marking the longest reign in THE Rankings’ history, surpassing Harvard University’s eight-year lead that ended in 2011. Stanford University (US) rose to second place, while Harvard dropped to fourth. The University of Cambridge (UK) fell to fifth place in 2024, after sharing the third position in 2023.

Nigeria’s THE Overall Best Universities

Covenant University

University of Ibadan

Federal University of Technology Akure

University of Lagos

Bayero University

University of Ilorin

University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Afe Babalola University

University of Benin

Federal University ofAgriculture, Abeokuta

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

Lagos State University

Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Obafemi Awolowo University

University of Port Harcourt

Abia State University

Akwa Ibom State University

Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike

Babcock University

Baze University

Bells University of Technology

Benson Idahosa University

Delta State University, Abraka

Edo State University, Uzairue

Edwin Clarke Universi

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Nsukka Zone, has raised concerns over the Federal Government’s failure to address the issues that have plagued the nation’s university system, warning that another strike may be imminent if the situation persists.

Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Nsukka Zone, Raphael Amokaha, made this known in a statement issued in Makurdi on Wednesday.

According to him, the Union’s decision to hold off on industrial action since the suspension of the 2022 strike was a display of patriotism and selflessness.

However, the Federal Government’s continuous neglect of the education sector is now pushing ASUU towards considering another strike.

“The Union has bent backwards to avoid industrial disharmony in our public universities by seeking an amicable resolution of the issues in contention,” Amokaha said.

Reflecting on the circumstances that led to the 2022 strike, Amokaha recounted how the Union had been left with no choice after the government brushed aside a negotiated agreement and instead imposed a “take it or leave it” offer.

He added that despite years of negotiations, little progress has been made in addressing the core issues affecting Nigerian universities.

“We were forced into the 2022 strike by the government. What option was available to our union at that time? We had negotiated a reviewed agreement over five years (2017-2022) under three government-appointed negotiation chairmen, yet the government dismissed it and offered a unilateral award,” he explained.

The Presidency announced on Wednesday that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) will allocate 30% of its resources to support the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for student loans.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated this while briefing correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He discussed the Economic Stabilisation Bill, saying, “The amendment to the TETFUND Act is crucial for enhancing student access to education.”
The funds previously allocated for infrastructure will now support student loans, ensuring that all children can attend school, regardless of their parents’ financial status,” he noted.

Also speaking, O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant on Digital/New Media, recalled that during the protests, President Tinubu announced that financial recoveries from illegal activities would be allocated to support the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

He stated, “The President assured that funds recovered from illegal activities would be used to bolster NELFUND.”

The Federal Government has approved the increase of corps members’ monthly allowance to N77,000 with effect from July 2024.

According to a statement signed by the NYSC’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, on Wednesday, the approval was contained in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated September 25 2024 and signed by the Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, in line with the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.

Before the increase, corps members were paid a monthly allowance of N33,000 following an upward review of minimum wage to N30,000 in 2019.

PUNCH Online reports that President Bola Tinubu signed the new Minimum Wage Bill into law on July 29, 2024.

The law stipulated the sum of N70,000 as minimum wage.

Following the approval of the new minimum wage, speculations had followed the increase in corpers’ pay, with the NYSC management insisting that the increase in corpers’ allowance could only be determined by the Federal Government.

The National Association of Nigerian Students has called on the Federal Government to meet with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities regarding the recent strike threat.

The student body noted that a strike was not advisable at this point in time.

NANS Senate President, Akinteye Babatunde made this known in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja following a fresh 14-day ultimatum issued by ASUU on Wednesday over failed negotiations with the Federal Government.

“We are asking the Federal Government to meet with ASUU and discuss with them because ASUU strike at this point in time is not advisable,” Akinteye said.

ASUU gave the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve several lingering issues. ASUU is seeking the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021, as well as the release of withheld salaries due to the 2022 strike action.

Additionally, ASUU is demanding the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, and the payment of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions.

*IMPORTANT UPDATE ON THE DISBURSEMENT OF FG BURSARY AWARD TO FACULTY OF EDUCATION GRADUATING STUDENTS*

We are writing to keep all Graduating Students of the Faculty of Education abreast on the necessary steps and prerequisites for receiving the N200,000 Federal Government Bursary Award.

Concerned Students who are still available in Kwara vicinity are encouraged to be available to fill the verification form and confirm their Bank details for the Bursary Award as scheduled below:

*Date:* Wednesday, September 25 to Thursday, September 26, 2024
*Time:* 9 AM - 2 PM
*Venue:* LR 4, Faculty of Education Building

Students available in Kwara vicinity are encouraged to attend the verification session to confirm their bank details. If unavailable, please send your admission letter (PDF) to [email protected] before Thursday, September 26, 2024.

Kindly be informed that all Concerned Students’ Bank Details have been generated from the University and will only be paid to Commercial Banks. Verification of Information by proxy is allowed.

We appreciate the transparency and prudence demonstrated by the President Tinubu-led administration and Federal Scholarship Board in disbursing the Bursary Award.

We reiterate our commitment to prioritizing the welfare of all, with transparency and accountability.

University of Ilorin Debating Team Excel at 11th ANUDC

The University of Ilorin Debating Team has once again demonstrated exceptional intellectual prowess and debating skills at the 11th All-Nigeria Universities Debating Championship (ANUDC). Our talented students brought home an impressive array of awards, solidifying Unilorin's reputation as a hub for academic excellence. The University Quiz, Debate, and Innovation Committee appreciate the Vice-chancellor for the unwavering support always and wished for more support to attend more international events.

Individual Awards and Medals

Novice Speaker Category

1. 8th Best New Speaker – Agbese Jemima Ori
2. 2nd Best New Speaker – Anjorin Teminijesu Success

Open Speaker Category

1. 9th Best Speaker – Adetunji Tesleem Oluwakayode
2. 7th Best Speaker – Abdullahi Hassanah Maimako
3. 3rd Best Speaker – Olafisoye Tolulope Alexander
4. 2nd Best Speaker – Owolabi Victor Oluwatobi

Novice Judge Category

1. Best New Judge – Akinjayeju Mitchell Temitope

Open Judges Category

1. 10th Best Judge – Hassan Usman Aduragbemi
2. 9th Best Judge – Olayinka Olamide Esther (alumni)
3. 8th Best Judge – Ibrahim Qareebat Adedoyin
4. 6th Best Judge – John-Kalio Peace Ibiso (alumni)
5. 4th Best Judge – Opeyemi Gideon (alumni)
6. Best Judge – Ayodele Samuel Adeyemi (alumni)

Public Speaking Category

1. 5th Best Speaker – Hassan Usman Aduragbemi

Team Awards

Novice Category

1. Runner-ups – Anjorin Teminijesu Success and Agbese Jemima Ori

Open Category

1. Semi-Finalist – Adetunji Tesleem Oluwakayode and Abdullahi Hassanah Maimako
2. Finalists – Tivlumun Sesugh Alexander and Oderanti Joshua Olamilekan
3. Champions – Olafisoye Tolulope Alexander and Owolabi Victor Oluwatobi

Congratulations to our outstanding debaters and Speakers.

The Kano Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has decried an alleged victimisation of its members in some universities in the zone.

The Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Abdulkadir Muhammad, in a statement in Kaduna on Friday, described the development as a “gross violation” of university rules and regulations.

Muhammad said: “ASUU-Kano Zone is deeply disillusioned and saddened by the incessant victimisation, intimidation, harassment and dehumanisation of its members in some public universities.

“This was largely because of their insistence on due process and adherence to the rules and regulations governing the operation of the Nigerian university system.

“The victimisation is mainly perpetrated silently by the university administrations and, at times, open endorsement of the Chairmen of the Governing Councils and Visitors of the affected universities.

“The obnoxious, unjust and callous victimisation and degradation of our members are more pronounced in Kogi State University (KSU), Anyingba; Lagos State University (LASU), Ojoo; and Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki.

“Others include Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma; Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO); and Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam.”

Muhammad alleged that in KSU, 120 members of ASUU have been unjustly dismissed in the last seven years for demanding conducive working conditions, better welfare packages, payment of backlogged salaries and allowances, and adequate funding for the university.

He added that the affected members sought legal redress and unfortunately, the court ruled against the victims and in favour of the university.

“ASUU-Kano Zone is particularly disturbed by the travesty of justice in this judgement delivered against our innocent members.

JUST IN: FG declares Monday as Eid-ul-Mawlid holiday

The Federal Government has declared Monday, September 16, 2024, as a public holiday to mark the celebration of the Eid-ul-Mawlid.

Eid-ul-Mawlid is the commemoration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the federal government in a statement by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on Friday.

While congratulating the Muslim Ummah on the occasion, he implored them to use the opportunity of the period to pray for enduring peace and a more prosperous egalitarian nation.

The minister urged the Muslims and all Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of patience, sacrifice, and resilience.

The Federal University of Technology, Owerri chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has called on the Federal Government to improve the country’s university system.

FUTO ASUU in a statement on Tuesday to mark the 2024 Victimised Lecturers Day in Nigeria stated that it stands in solidarity with its colleagues, who are facing victimisation in some Nigerian public universities.

The statement which was jointly issued by Dr E.C. Chinakwe and Dr C.E Ihejirika, on behalf of the association condemned the victimisation of its colleagues in Lagos State University, Ojo, Kogi State University, Anyingba, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, and others so affected.

The statement reads, “ASUU-FUTO stands in solidarity with our colleagues who are facing victimization in some Nigerian public universities. This is consistent with the National Executive Council’s resolution, which was made during its meeting on August 17 and 18, 2024, at the University of Ibadan, designating September 10, 2024, as Victimized Lecturers Day in Nigeria.

“This is to draw attention to the cruel treatment that some of our members are subjected to while carrying out their duties as union leaders and defying intimidation tactics from their university’s administration and allies. We openly express our solidarity with colleagues at Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos; Kogi State University, Anyingba; Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki; and others so affected.