News
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
A Coalition of civil society organisations has urged the Federal Government to take proactive steps towards addressing the persistent gas eruptions in Bille, Rivers.
The coalition, made up of the People’s Assembly and Bille Working Group, made the call in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, and read to journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Reading the letter, the coalition’s convener, Dr Isaac Osuoka, said that the persistent gas eruption in Bille had led to serious environmental and public health challenges.
Osuoka, also the Executive Director, Social Action, urged Tinubu to establish a presidential task force to investigate and contain the gas leak in Bille.
He also called for the immediate relocation of residents to safe shelters, provision of clean water, food and healthcare services.
Dr Emem Okon, the Executive Director, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, stated that gas had been bubbling from the ground, creeks, boreholes and hand-dug wells in the community since October 2025.
Okon said that the gas had triggered several fires and explosions, and that residents of the community had reported respiratory problems, vomiting and other illnesses associated with exposure to the emissions.
According to her, preliminary investigations by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have yet to identify the source of the gas.
Mr Kentebe Ebiaridor, the Coordinator, Oilwatch International, called for the publication of results from preliminary soil and water tests conducted in Bille for the residents to know the nature and extent of the contamination.
Ebiaridor urged the Federal Government to deploy medical teams to screen and treat affected residents, and immediately commence an independent study on the health impacts of the leak.
He further called for the suspension of oil and gas operations around OML 18 and 24 until the source of the gas leak was identified and the affected areas declared safe.
Ebiaridor urged the government to hold current and former operators of the oil leases accountable for environmental damage on the community.
Another speaker, Dr Bieye Briggs, urged the National Assembly to fast-track the NOSDRA Amendment Bill, 2025 to provide the agency with statutory funding and stronger enforcement powers.
Briggs urged the Federal Government to activate the regional Spill Command Centre, and make the Upstream Remediation Fund accessible for the Bille crisis and other affected communities in the Niger Delta.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has banned drone operations and fireworks in Uyo and announced temporary traffic restrictions ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the State today.
The state Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, announced the measures yesterday while briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.
He said the restrictions were part of security arrangements to maintain public order, protect strategic locations and ensure the smooth movement of the President’s convoy during his engagements.
“There will be total restriction on the operation and flying of drones within Uyo metropolis throughout the period of the visit. Members of the public, drone operators and service providers are advised to strictly comply with the directive,” he said.
The police commissioner also announced a ban on fireworks, knockouts and other explosive sound-producing devices within the state capital during the visit.
He said the measure would prevent panic and allow security personnel to respond effectively to genuine security threats.
The command also announced temporary restrictions on public access to designated routes and locations in Uyo to facilitate the movement of the presidential convoy.
The affected areas are Airport Road, Shelter Afrique Junction, Oron Road, Nung Oku Junction, Mbierebe Junction and Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
“Motorists are urged to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the corridors.
“Members of the public are advised to avoid the routes during the restriction and use alternative routes,” Azare said.
He also urged residents to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the affected corridors.
The commissioner said the command, working with other security agencies, had put in place security arrangements to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free visit.
He appealed to residents to understand that the temporary restrictions were necessary security measures and not intended to cause hardship.
Azare urged members of the public to remain law-abiding, avoid restricted areas and report suspicious movements to the nearest police station or through police emergency channels.
Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom is a working visit during which he is expected to inaugurate major infrastructure projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration under its ARISE Agenda. The projects cut across aviation, road infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, land administration and security.
Among the projects scheduled for inauguration are the international terminal building and airport hospital at Victor Attah International Airport, Aviation Village, ARISE Palm Resort, the 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road, Ring Road 3, the Command and Control Centre and the AkwaGIS building.
The state government had earlier announced plans for the President to inaugurate projects as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary in September.
The airport projects are particularly significant to the state’s ambition to expand aviation, tourism and investment.
The international terminal is expected to strengthen the airport’s capacity to handle international operations, while the Aviation Village is intended to provide accommodation for aviation workers. The airport hospital is also among the facilities lined up for inauguration.
The road projects are also expected to improve connectivity. The 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road links communities in the two local government areas, while Ring Road 3 is designed to improve movement within Uyo and ease pressure on existing roads. The Command and Control Centre, meanwhile, is intended to strengthen security surveillance and coordination in the State.
The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.
He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.
He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.
“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.
Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.
The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.
On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.
Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.
With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.
He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.
Kevin Nengia
-
Rivers1 day ago
NUJ Set To Attend UNIPORT’s 217th Inaugural Lecture
-
News1 day agoNJC Suspends Three Judges, Sanctions Eight Others
-
Politics5 days ago
2027: Attack Electoral Officials, Face Full Weight Of Law, INEC Warns
-
Sports5 days agoNFF Celebrates First Nigerian CAF General Secretary
-
Sports5 days ago
Olopade Insists 2026 NSF Will Hold
-
Politics23 hours ago
Atiku Kicks-Off 2027 Campaign, Promises To Tackle Nigeria’s Challenges
-
Sports5 days ago
Senegal kicks Africa’s First Ever Olympics
-
Sports5 days agoDeaf Sports Federation, NSC Differ On Blackmail Claim