Education
Crisis brews in ATBU over alleged plan to scrap non-science faculties
Crisis is brewing over an alleged move by the management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU, Bauchi, to phase out all faculties and programmes not related to science and technology.
Addressing a press conference, the Bauchi State Citizens Forum — made up of professors, lawyers, and civil society activists — condemned the plan, describing it as a “regression” and a “bad omen” for the institution.
The group’s leader, Dr. Abdullahi Yelwa, revealed that a recent meeting between the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and ATBU’s management confirmed the development.
“It is clear that ATBU’s leadership is considering closing faculties such as Management Sciences, which will deny thousands of prospective students, especially those from Bauchi State, the chance to acquire university education,” Yelwa said.
However, ATBU management has dismissed claims that it is planning to scrap certain courses and shut down some faculties and departments in the institution, describing the allegations as unfounded, and a figment of the imagination of those peddling them.
The Director of Information and Public Relations of ATBU, Mr. Zailani Bappa, made the clarification while addressing journalists at the Press Centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Bauchi.
He stressed that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Hassan, has no intention of scrapping any faculty or discontinuing any academic programme in the university.
“There are essentially two issues raised in the press statement by the Bauchi State Concerned Citizens. None of these allegations is true because the Vice-Chancellor has not taken any such action,” Bappa stated.
He explained that the controversy arose from a recent meeting convened by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who summoned all Vice-Chancellors and Governing Council Chairmen of federal universities and informed them of the Federal Government’s decision to ensure that all universities strictly adhere to their founding mandates.
“As you all know, ATBU was established as a technology-based university. Over time, other management-related courses were introduced. Now, the Federal Government insists that such universities must return to their original mandate. This is not the Vice-Chancellor’s decision, nor that of the Governing Council, but a directive that must be implemented,” he clarified.
On the suspension of funding for the Directorate of Distance Learning, Bappa explained that since most of its programmes are management-related, continuing to fund the directorate under the new policy direction would amount to a waste of resources.
As a result, according to him, funding of the directorate has been temporarily put on hold in line with the Federal Government’s directive.
He therefore appealed for understanding from the Bauchi State Concerned Citizens and other stakeholders, adding that the matter was beyond the Vice-Chancellor and Governing Council, as they lack the power to alter the policy.
Instead, he urged stakeholders to rally support for the senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Shehu Buba Umar, in his efforts to ensure that the law establishing ATBU as a technology-based institution is amended to allow for a wider range of courses.
According to him, “Unless the law is amended to convert ATBU into a conventional university, there is nothing anyone can do to stop the current process of reverting to the original mandate.”
Education
FG Bans Admission, Transfer Of SS3 Students
The Federal Government has announced a nationwide ban on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in all public and private schools, beginning from the 2026/27 academic session.
The announcement, signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, said the directive was part of efforts to curb examination malpractice and restore credibility to Nigeria’s education system.
“The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has announced a nationwide prohibition on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in all public and private secondary schools,” the statement read.
According to the ministry, the policy follows growing concerns over the increasing incidence of malpractice, including the use of so‑called special centres during external examinations.
It explained that admissions and transfers will now be restricted strictly to Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2). “Admission or transfer into SS3 will no longer be permitted under any circumstance,” the ministry stated.
Officials said the measure is aimed at discouraging last‑minute movement of students for examination‑related advantages, ensuring proper academic monitoring, and promoting continuity in teaching and learning.
School proprietors, principals, and administrators nationwide have been directed to comply fully with the policy.
The ministry warned that any violation would attract sanctions in line with existing education regulations and guidelines.
Reaffirming government’s commitment, the statement added: “The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining academic standards, promoting fairness, and restoring credibility to public examinations across the country.”
Education
How Fulani Militias Attacked Taraba Community, K!lled My Father, Four Relatives — Grieving NYSC Member Cries Out (Video)
Orkeghen Philip Aondofa, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has cried out for help, alleging that armed Fulani herders carried out a de@dly attack on his village — New-Gboko (Nyugoko) in the Peva–Chanchanji Ward of Takum Local Government Area, Taraba State.
They reportedly k!lled his father and four other members of his family.
Philip, who is currently serving in Enugu State, recounted the horror in an emotional interview with SaharaReporters, saying the Taraba State government has remained silent while k!llings continue across communities in Chanchanji ward.
According to him, the attackers, whom he repeatedly referred to as “herders ”, invaded the community on November 27, 2025, unleashing violence that forced all surviving residents to flee.
He said the assailants are still occupying the village, preventing him from retrieving his father’s corpse for burial.
“Right now, as I speak to you, the k!lling is all over Chanchanji ward in Takum LGA of Taraba State. The Taraba State Government is silent about it,” he said.
The corps member said one of the attackers used his late father’s phone to call him after the massacre — only to confess to k!lling him.
“After the attack, one of them took my father’s phone and called me. When I asked where the owner of the phone was, he told me, he k!lled my father directly. I broke down and ended the call,” he said.
Philip said the inability to recover his father’s remains has left him in deeper anguish.
“What pains me the most now is how I will get my father’s corpse to bury. Those herders are still there in the village. There is nobody left in my village.”
The corps member said he is nearing the end of his service year but now feels completely stranded and without hope.
“After my service, I don’t know where to go. I don’t know where to start. I am calling on the Federal Government and those concerned to come to my aid. I am broke, I am hopeless. I don’t have anywhere to go; everything is gone. I have lost hope.”
Education
TETFund Unveils Plan for Nationwide Security Overhaul in Tertiary Institutions
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced a major initiative to strengthen security across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in Nigeria. As part of the new move, the Fund is developing a comprehensive security master plan aimed at addressing the growing threats facing campuses nationwide.
According to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the framework will serve as a unified guide for preventing, managing, and responding to security breaches within tertiary institutions. He noted that the rising cases of attacks, kidnappings, and other safety concerns have made it imperative to adopt a coordinated national approach to protect students, staff, and infrastructure.
The proposed security master plan is expected to involve collaboration with security agencies, education stakeholders, and institution managers to ensure effective implementation across the country.
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GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI
