• Campuses comply, exams disrupted
• CONUA, medical, dental academics: we are not part of it
The Federal Government has directed Vice-chancellors to strictly implement the ‘No work, No-pay’ policy on striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Lecturers, who are members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), are, however, exempted from the order for not joining the strike.
The striking ASUU members began a 14-day warning strike yesterday in spite of the government’s appeal to them to have a rethink since it had agreed to most of their demands that are within the purview of the government.
Academic activities were grounded in many public universities monitored by our correspondents.
Some of these are: University of Lagos(UNILAG), University of Ibadan(UI), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University(NAU), University of Maiduguri, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), and Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE).
In some like the University of Benin (UNIBEN), the University of Jos(UNIJOS), and the Federal University Dutse, examinations were halted.

CONUA and NAMDA, however, dissociated their members from the strike

Displeased with ASUU’s action, Education Minister Tunji Alausa ordered vice-chancellors to carry out physical headcounts of lecturers who report for work.
He added that the National Universities Commission(NUC) would monitor compliance with the directive and submit a ‘’consolidated report’’ to his ministry.
Alausa said in a letter to the vice-chancellors that the government was disappointed that the strike commenced ‘’despite repeated calls for the union(ASUU) to embrace constructive dialogue.’’
The letter reads in part: “The Federal Ministry of Education views with dissatisfaction the reports of the ongoing industrial action declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) despite repeated calls for the union to embrace constructive dialogue as the most effective and sustainable path toward resolving all outstanding issues in the tertiary education sector.
“In line with extant provisions of the Labour Laws of the Federation, the Federal Government reiterates its position on the enforcement of the ‘No-Work, No-Pay’ policy in respect of any employee who fails to discharge his or her official duties during the period of strike action.
“Accordingly, all vice-chancellors of federal universities are hereby directed to ensure strict application of this provision, which requires immediate actions as follows:
* Conduct a roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff in your institution;

*Submit a comprehensive report, clearly indicating staff who are present and performing their official duties, and those absent or participating in the strike; and
*Ensure that salary payment for the period of work stoppage is withheld from those who fail to perform their duties.
“For the avoidance of doubt, academic staff who are members of CONUA and NAMDA, who are not participating in the strike action, are exempted from this directive and shall not be subjected to any form of salary withholding.
“The NUC will monitor compliance with this directive and submit a consolidated report to the ministry within seven days of receipt of this circular.’’
The minister enjoined the vice-chancellors to treat the ‘’matter with utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in national interest.”
Every single request by ASUU addressed, says minister
Alausa also said on a national television yesterday that the government had taken concrete steps to address all pending issues affecting the lecturers.
He said: “We have addressed every single request by ASUU; there is no need for this strike, and we are pleading with them to go back to school. “We need to keep our children in school. If there is any group of people I have met with most since assuming office, it is ASUU.”
The minister dismissed allegations that the Federal Government had been slow or unwilling to act on the union’s demands, insisting that several commitments had already been fulfilled.
“The arrears of their earned academic allowance have been paid. The President swiftly approved 50 billion naira months ago. Those allowances have now been mainstreamed into their salaries, so there will never be arrears again,” the minister explained.
He added that the government has also resolved issues relating to postgraduate supervision allowances, which are now being paid by universities, and that funds under the Needs Assessment Scheme were being released in phases.
“The President approved N150 billion for Needs Assessment in the 2026 budget. 50 billion naira of that has already been released, and the remaining will be paid in two more tranches. The money is already sitting in the Needs Assessment account,” Alausa said.
On promotion arrears, he explained that the payments have been captured in the 2026 budget.
The minister reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to maintaining a fair and transparent relationship with labour unions, stressing that the administration was prioritising sustainable funding for the education sector.

‘We are not afraid’
ASUU’s National President Christopher Piwuna said the union was not afraid of the government stopping the salaries of its members.
Piwuna told a national television station in Abuja that the decision of the government to enforce policy showed that it (government) has not learnt anything from previous strikes.
He alleged that the government offered the union members a 25 per cent increase on their present salary.
Piwuna vowed that the offer 25 per cent salary hike will not make ASUU members call off the strike.
He said: “We have tried everything, we have tried discussions, we have tried writing letters, we have had meetings, we have had behind-the-scenes discussions, we have visited traditional leaders away from the cameras, we have visited opinion leaders away from the cameras, none has worked.
‘’It is only when we get to this point (strike) that the government responds, unfortunately.
“The Ministry of Education, led by the minister, has not been sincere with us on this matter. In fact, three weeks ago, the minister told us that a document was ready… and that they were just waiting for the chairman from the Federal Government side to return from a religious pilgrimage to present it to us.”

Winners were selected among over 1,500 applicants, based on their excellent academic standing and their performances at the Computer Based Testing (CBT) recently conducted

Eni’s subsidiary, Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE), on behalf of NNPC Limited and NAE PSC, has awarded scholarships to 30 Nigerian graduates for Post Graduate studies in Nigerian and overseas Universities under its 2025/2026 Scholarship Awards Scheme.
Under the scheme, 10 beneficiaries will undertake postgraduate studies in various Universities in different parts of the world. The remaining awardees will pursue their postgraduate studies in Nigerian universities in disciplines such as Engineering, Geosciences, Petroleum and Environmental Technology, Energy Economics, Renewable Energy and Energy Transition.
At the ceremony held to award the beneficiaries in Abuja, the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of NAE, Mr. Fabrizio Bolondi congratulated the awardees, stating that the scholarship award will offer them the opportunity to pursue their dreams and achieve their career objectives. “The award ceremony highlights our continuous commitment to the future of education, innovation, and capacity building in Nigeria” he stated. He advised the beneficiaries to utilize the opportunity to study and gain valuable skills for the benefit of the country, especially within the energy industry.
The Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), represented by the Manager of External Relations Mrs. Edith Bunmi-Lawson, and the Deputy Manager PSC Asset A3 Mr. Paul Duke, were also present at the ceremony.
The postgraduate scholarship scheme was instituted by NNPC-NAE PSC partners in 2007 as part of the company’s human capital development initiatives to promote knowledge acquisition and bridge the skills gap in specialized fields relevant to deep offshore Oil & Gas operations in Nigeria.
To date, 350 graduates have benefitted from the Postgraduate Scholarship Schemes, instituted by the company to contribute to the training of local professionals, providing the knowledge and skills required within the industry.
Eni, through NAE, has implemented other sustainability initiatives in Nigeria in areas of health, education, access to water and infrastructure provisions, as well as specific initiatives for stakeholder empowerment in local communities.
Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) was incorporated in 1996 to manage the company’s deep offshore exploration and production assets. NAE has the distinction of being the first oil and gas company in Nigeria to produce oil from the country’s deep offshore. NAE has interests in 6 deep offshore blocks in Nigeria, either as Operator or as Co-Venturer.
Eni operates in Nigeria through Agip Energy and Natural Resources (AENR), holding a 5% participating interest in the Renaissance Joint Venture, and via Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE), with a 12.5% interest in OML 135 and 118 (Bonga field) and a 10.4% equity participation in Nigerian LNG.

…Restates Commitment to Education, Community Development

Egbin Power Plc, Nigeria’s largest power generation company, has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to education and sustainable community development as it celebrated the 10th edition of the Egbin Power Scholarship Awards.

The milestone ceremony, held at the Egbin Power Clubhouse, brought together community leaders, parents, teachers, the management team of Egbin Power and beneficiaries to recognise and reward academic excellence across its host communities.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Egbin Power Plc, Mokhtar Bounour, noted that the scholarship scheme, which began a decade ago, has transformed the lives of children in host communities by easing the financial burden on parents while providing opportunities for students to pursue quality education.

“This 10th edition of the Egbin Power Scholarship reaffirms our decade-long commitment to education and community development. By investing in these young scholars, we are not only empowering their future but also strengthening the foundation for sustainable growth in our host communities and Nigeria at large,” he said.

According to Bounour, the Scholarship has grown beyond just being a CSR initiative, into a true symbol of Egbin Power’s deep bond with its host communities. Marking the 10th edition reinforces the shared belief that empowering children through education is the strongest investment in their future and in the collective progress of the community.

“For ten years, the Egbin Power Scholarship has stood as a pillar of our CSR commitment to education and empowerment. We are proud of the impact it has made, and this 10th edition renews our pledge to continue driving initiatives that uplift lives and create lasting value for society”, he noted.

The Egbin Power Scholarship Programme, introduced in 2015, has consistently rewarded pupils and students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance. Beyond financial support, the program includes mentorship and a scholarship bootcamp designed to equip beneficiaries with life skills, discipline, and confidence to excel in their educational journey.

A parent of one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Ebuzome Ekene, expressed gratitude to the GenCo for sustaining the initiative over the years. “This scholarship has lifted a huge burden off many families. Beyond the financial relief, it gives our children the confidence to aim higher, knowing that their community and Egbin stand solidly behind them,” she said.

Similarly, Kareem Opeyemi, a student beneficiary, expressed appreciation to Egbin Power Plc for providing the scholarship to students. According to him, the scholarship was a dream come true.

He said: “This award motivates me to study harder, focus on improving myself and sustaining the scholarship so as to become a future leader who will make my community proud.”

This year, the bootcamp concluded with the final selection of beneficiaries for the 10th edition, reflecting Egbin Power’s sustained efforts to inspire and nurture the next generation of leaders. The programme continues to enjoy strong participation and support from parents, teachers, and community leaders who serve as custodians of the children’s progress.

Egbin Power has remained at the forefront of corporate social responsibility initiatives in education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and community infrastructure. Through these initiatives, the company has demonstrated that its role goes beyond power generation to include empowering people and uplifting communities.

The scholarship award ceremony was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a reaffirmation of Egbin Power’s enduring partnership with its host communities. The company pledged to continue investing in impactful programmes that align with its vision of building a brighter and more sustainable future.