Education

UNIPORT VC Advocates Review Of University Funding

Published

14 years ago

February 11, 2013

Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Joseph Ajienka has raised alarm that unless the existing pattern of funding higher education in the country was reviewed, public universities stand the risk of collapsing in the next ten years.

He said critically-needed funding was dwindling by the day, while the average cost of running each institution was correspondingly escalating, and decried a situation where parents were willing to pay astronomical school fees for their wards at Nursery, Primary and Secondary School levels, yet they were not encouraged to pay fees to keep critical university system afloat as is the case in other countries.

Prof Ajienka, who disclosed this at the 29th convocation of the university, explained that many parents were willing to pay outrageous fees for their children in universities outside Nigeria.

“How can we explain this untenable situation in which we pay to sustain quality education in other countries while treating our own universities system with inexplicable contempt?” he queried.

The VC said the scenario no longer makes sense as the university system in this country continues to strain under the weight of underfunding from statutory sources and indifference from society.

“The truth is that statutory Federal allocation alone can no longer be relied upon to run the universities as little or nothing is left to embark on meaningful research and infrastructural development, after payment of salaries to staff, who are not interested in stories of lack of funds,” he stressed.

He maintained that, “we can no longer shy away from considering the introduction of some form of school fees, if we hope to dig it out of the deep morass into which years of tuition-free has placed the public universities, if we still hope to see them in ten years period.”

Insisting that government alone cannot fund higher education, Prof. Ajienka suggested that government should consider the option of converting subventions given to universities , to loans for indigent students while those who can afford, pay fees.

Graduates, he said, should be made to start paying back the loans from the time of National Youth Service, adding that evidence of loan repayment would be mandatory like NYSC discharge certificate in any employment and business ventures by every graduate.

“Unless we secure sustainable funding of our higher educational institutions, we are only postponing the demise of the public higher educational sector,” the VC remarked.

Chris Oluoh

Education

NCDMB Opens Entry For 10th National Undergraduate Essay Competition

Published

4 days ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced commencement of entries for its Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition.

According to the board, entries for the 10th edition of the competition will open on August 15, inviting undergraduate students in 100 and 200 levels from Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to showcase their ideas on strengthening local content development.

This year’s essay topic: “Promoting Manufacturing for Sustainable Local Content Development,” challenges students to examine how Nigeria can build stronger local manufacturing capacity to drive economic growth and reduce dependence on imports in the energy sector.

Beyond winning prizes, the board said the competition has become a platform for nurturing critical thinking, research and innovation among young Nigerians.

“It encourages students to look beyond the classroom and develop practical ideas that can support the country’s drive for industrialization and sustainable development”

According to a press statement signed by Eyinimi Omorozi, Managing Director and Project Consultant, the competition is designed to improve students’ research abilities while inspiring them to develop the skills and competencies needed to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s energy industry.

Interested students are expected to submit their entries through the competition portal at www.ncdmbessay.ng once the application window opens.

The competition will culminate in an award ceremony scheduled for October 22 at the NCDMB headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where outstanding participants will be recognised for their intellectual contributions.

Over the years, the NCDMB Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading academic initiatives, encouraging young scholars to engage with national development issues and propose practical solutions that can strengthen local content and economic resilience.

ReplyForward

Education

UNIPORT VC Receives Probe Report on Student Union Crisis

Published

4 days ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Chike Princewill, has received the report of the committee set up to investigate the internal disagreement and violent clashes among members of the University’s Student Union Government (SUG).

The report was formally presented on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, by the Chairman of the Committee and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration and Advancement), Professor Chukwudi Onyeaso, during a brief ceremony held at the Vice-Chancellor’s Committee Room, University Park.

While receiving the report, Professor Princewill commended the committee for its diligence, professionalism, and commitment to duty. He noted that members of the committee carried out the sensitive assignment with thoroughness, leaving no stone unturned in their investigation.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed appreciation for the committee’s dedication and assured the University community that Management would carefully study the report and implement its recommendations where necessary in the overall interest of the institution and the student body.

The investigative committee was inaugurated by the Vice-Chancellor on July 20, 2026, with a two-week mandate to examine the circumstances surrounding the Student Union leadership crisis and recommend practical measures to prevent a recurrence.

The submission of the report marks a significant step toward restoring stability, strengthening student leadership, and promoting lasting peace within the University of Port Harcourt community.

Akujobi Amadi

Education

Environmental Education Remains Critical Tool To Address Environmental Challenges Says Experts

Published

4 days ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

Environmental experts have highlighted environmental education as critical tool in addressing environmental global challenges in the society, stressing that it help to equips citizens with the knowledge, attitudes and practical skills needed for Environmental protection.

Speaking at the Environmental Education Summit held in the University of Port Harcourt with the theme ” From Literacy to Action: Developing a Blueprint to strengthen Environmental Education for Achieving Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria”, Prof. Angela Ugwu, an environmental educationist and Head of Department, Faculty of Education in the Department of Adult and Non -Formal Education, University of Port Harcourt, noted poor environmental awareness among citizens and explained that Environmental Education remains a vital role in building citizens to effective response of environmental challenges.

While,urging that Environmental Education should not end in classroom, Prof Ugwu advised that Environmental knowledge acquired should be translate into action.

Also speaking, an environmental scientist, Prof Babatunde Bolaji, called for intensive community participation in Environmental conservation and the inclusion of environmental science in primary school curriculum.

Earlier, on his Part, Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Princewill Rewhuamwhu Chike represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Chukwudi Onyeaso described the environment as very important to protect from climate change, urging the society to uphold healthy Environment.

Similarly, an environmental educationist, Prof Mbalisi Festus, a lecturer in the Department of Adult and Non-,Formal Education, University of Port Harcourt, while urging citizens to avoid activities that contribute in destroying the environment, he stressed that Environmental knowledge also offer citizens required knowledge on protecting the environment.