FG To Begins Implementation Of Renegotiated ASUU Agreement

FG to begins implementation of renegotiated ASUU agreement. Mr Alausa reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of academic staff.

The federal government has begun implementing key welfare components of its renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The minister of education, Tunji Alausa, in a directive issued to vice-chancellors of federal universities on Monday, announced a 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for ASUU members, effective from January 1, 2026.
Mr Alausa reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of academic staff and the stability of the university system.

He said some federal universities had already reflected the increase in salary payments.
He directed all federal universities to ensure full compliance, integrating the approved increment into their payroll structures so all eligible academic staff benefit.

ASUU

The minister also stressed strict adherence to the implementation of the Consolidated Tools Allowance (CATA), noting that its payment has been captured and circularised by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and included in the 2026 budget.
He urged university management to use available resources to ensure prompt payment of CATA in line with NSIWC guidelines.

Mr Alausa said timely implementation of both the CAA increase and CATA would strengthen the academic environment, enhance staff morale, and improve teaching, research, and learning outcomes.

He reiterated the federal government’s resolve to honour agreements with education stakeholders and remain committed to constructive engagement, transparency, industrial harmony, and continuous improvement of quality education in Nigeria.

NiDCOM Chairman/CEO Dabiri-Erewa Mourns Nigerian Student K1lled In Leicester

NiDCOM Chairman/CEO Dabiri-Erewa mourns Nigerian student k1lled in Leicester. ‎Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of Khaleed Oladipo, a 20-year-old Nigerian student who was fatally stabbed in Leicester, UK.
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‎Khaleed Oladipo, a second-year Cybersecurity student at De Montfort University, was reportedly attacked while on his way home to watch a football match.

His family has described him as an extremely loved son and family member whose life was cut short far too soon.

NiDCOM

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‎Dabiri-Erewa described the incident as heartbreaking and a painful loss to both the Oladipo family and the Nigerian community at home and in the diaspora.
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‎She also called on UK authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and justice for the deceased, while reiterating NiDCOM’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians in the diaspora community.
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NiDCOM, Abuja.

Insufficient Schools In Northern Nigeria Fuelling Child Marriage Says Sanusi

Insufficient schools in northern Nigeria fuelling child marriage says Sanusi. Muhammadu Sanusi II, the emir of Kano, has attributed the persistence of child marriage in parts of northern Nigeria on the failure of government to provide adequate schools and structured opportunities for young girls after primary education.

Sanusi made the remarks on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’.

He featured alongside Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, and Haliru Yahaya Ndanusa, the Emir of Shonga, in a discussion on culture, education and social reform.
Sanusi said while public discourse often focuses on child marriage, the structural conditions that push families into such decisions are frequently ignored.

The emir said many girls complete primary education at a very young age, with no pathway for further schooling or skills development.

“There’s no secondary school, there’s no skill centre, there are no provisions for her life,” he said.
He said in such circumstances, poor families are often driven by fear rather than cultural preference when marrying off young girls.

“We’re talking about child marriage, but you go to some parts of the north, there’s a primary school and that’s it,” he said.

“Between 11 and 18, what arrangements have you made for her? The poor man basically finds that she’s 12 or 13; he’s afraid that she can get pregnant on the road, and the next young man that comes, he marries her off.
Sometimes these cultures basically reflect poverty.”
The emir criticised urban perspectives that ignore rural realities, pointing out that roads are often unsafe, schools are distant or non-existent, and local government services are lacking.

“It’s easy to blame culture. It’s easy to blame a victim. But the government has not provided the schools,” he said.

Sanusi said according to the constitution, every child is entitled to an education.
“So if you take a child out of school you’re supposed to have committed an offence,” he added.

The monarch, however, questioned the practicality of enforcing such laws when the state itself has failed to meet its obligations.
“But how many people have ever been arrested for taking a child out of school? None of them,” he said.

Sanusi

He said the reason enforcement is non-existent is because government has not provided the necessary schools to accommodate children, especially in rural communities.

The emir said addressing child marriage require more than moral arguments or cultural condemnation, adding that government must invest in education and social infrastructure to give young girls viable alternatives.