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Nigerians React To NUC Ban On Part-Time Programmes
Stakeholders in the education sector, have described the suspension of part-time programmes in Nigerian Universities by the National University Commission (NUC) as in infringement on the fundamental rights of Nigerians to education.
A cross section of stakeholders who spoke to The Tide on the issue also described the suspension as ill-timed against the background of the move by the government to promote literacy at all levels.
In his view, the Head of the Department of Banking and Finance, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Dr T.A Ngerebo said that the suspension would deprive those Nigerians who want to acquire knowledge through the part-time programme.
“Suspending the programme is like telling most Nigerians that they cannot have university education’, he said.
Dr Ngerebo said that instead of suspending the programme, the commission needs to put in place a regulatory body that would ensure adherence to standard.
Also speaking, the Head of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science in the university., Pastor Mathias Daniel opposed the suspension, stressing that part-time programmes were not peculiar to Nigerian universities alone.
He said that Nigerians who had overgrown the age for full-time or regular programme should be encouraged to go for part-time, stressing that apart from acquiring degrees, most Nigerian workers also get promotion through the part-time programme.
In his view, Prof Atuboyedia Obianime of the University of Port Harcourt complained that the institution runs one of the most standard part-time programmes , accommodating thousands of Nigerians.
He said that lumping the world-class part-time programme run by the university in the sweeping suspension order was inappropriate, and appealed to the NUC to take a second look at the decision.
Also speaking, Mr Nuka Wilcox said that the situation would discourage people from going to school, especially those of adult age.
Mr Wilcox who urged the commission to revise the suspension noted that the NUC needed to set a body to monitor the standard.
Chidinma Cyril, a civil servant said that as an OND holder, she did part-time to help her overcome her deficiencies in academics, and stated that if the government stops the programmes , it would affect millions of Nigerians, particularly those who do not have time for regular programmes on campus.
In Cross River State, Dr. Samuel Agim, a lecturer in the Cross River State University of Technology (CRUTECH), described the development as a welcome step.
He was of the opinion that, students who are desirous of studying should enroll straight in the conventional university, while those who want to study through part time should go to the open university of Nigeria.
He told The Tide in Calabar that the idea of part time programme had made many students lazy and consequently resulting in poor academic performance.
Chris Akpan Udoh of the University of Calabar recalled that the open university has conventional study programmes with materials to suit any student who wants to carry out part time studies while still be working or doing some other things at the same time.
Udoh described as an eye sore what goes on in the university environment these days. In order to stem this tide, he said the recent decision by the NUC was a good thing that would streamline academic pursuit in the country.
However, Joy Agba Njie and Solomon Ushie both part time students of the CRUTECH, argued that the scrapping of the programme would affect them as most of them may not have enough fund to register to the open university programme, let alone their study materials.
“This is a good development, because the proliferation of the these programmes encourages quacks. This would help in solving the deteriorating educational standard in the country,” Chief Stephen Eyo-Omori, stated with all amount of certainty.
Chief Omori frowned at a situation where a student would merely register for a programme and went his or her way and only come back to sort during or after examinations.
To help raise the standard of education in this country, the NUC should not revert so as not to throw our integrity overboard.
Our correspondent reports that students in all the tertiary institutions in Calabar metropolis received the news with rude shock as they were seen in groups discussing the development.
In Lagos, The Tide reports that the recent pronouncement of scrapping of all part-time programmes in Nigerian universities by the National University Commission has been greeted with mixed reactions from civil servants, academicians, lawyers and other Lagos residents.
Some of those who spoke with our correspondent condemned it, saying government should give it a time frame.
According a staff of Oto-Awori local government development area,” what NUC should have done is to give it a time frame and not out-right suspension.
According to Mr. Jimoh Bale, with the suspension, it would be difficult for us working as civil servants to go to school as to broading and upgrade ourselves.
Eunice Choko-Kayode, Friday Nwagbara, Nkpemenyie Mcdominic
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.