Education
BOSU: A Fast-Growing State University in Nigeria

BOSU: A Fast-Growing State University in Nigeria
By: Balami Lazarus.
State universities are emerging on the educational and academic map of Nigeria to quench the taste of knowledge in order to contribute to nation-building in teaching and learning to improve the standard and quality of education and research, hence quality educational service delivery in their full-baked products, graduates.
Borno State has suffered the devastating blows of the insurgents, and insecurity challenges are the major concern of the state. However, to address these challenges, the state remains focused on her pursuits for higher education. The government established Borno State University in Maiduguri (B0SU). And recently, NEWSng was invited along with some newsmen by the Information and Public Relations Department of the university, headed by Mr. Garkuwa Mohammed, for a valiant speech and press conference by the outgoing vice chancellor, a fine scholar of repute, Prof. Umar Kyari Sandabe, who has made his mark in Bosu.
The university was established by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in 2016 but began her academic activities of teaching and learning on March 7, 2019, focusing on objectives, especially her vision of “to be a first-rate institution anchored on and defined by excellence in teaching, learning, research, and innovation, as well as outstanding service delivery for the growth and development of society.”
Interestingly, Bosu has good academic infrastructure that speaks volumes within the span of five years of her academic activities from the 17th October 2019/2020 session with thirty academic programs in four facilities, namely: Arts and Education, Social and Management Sciences, and Faculty of Science, with 647 matriculated students in various departments studying for their degree courses.
The pioneering Vice Chancellor, Prof. Umar Kyari Sandabe, and his management team have made it possible for the university to scale up the needed standard requirements of National Universities Commissions (NUC) accreditation for all the academic courses to fully commence, especially the College of Medical and Health Sciences that was approved last year (2023) to run MBSS, Radiography, Physiotheraphy, Biochemistry, Medical Laboratory Science, and Health Information Management System.
Prof. Sandabe’s five-year tenure has also made the university a hub of academic activities and an oasis of teaching, learning, research, and innovation, with a harvest of rich lecturers with the core objective of molding and grooming students in character and in learning.
Every member of the academic section of the university, in her wisdom, meets from time to time with staff and the student body with the aim of maintaining a standard of academic excellence, discipline, and a good moral standard. Therefore, Bosu, as a community, has a tight security system in place. NEWSng observed that everyone is security conscious, with ears and eyes to the ground.
The university has achieved what some universities, both state and federal, could not achieve in terms of academic programs and infrastructure—some completed, some ongoing. The College of Medical and Health Sciences, Mechanical Workshop, Entrepreneurship Center, and Mass Communication Studio were all completed. NEWSng was among the team of journalists for the on-the-spot assessment of these academic facilities.
The secret to and beauty of Borno State University Maiduguri lies “in her mission and the progressive-minded management team under the leadership of Prof. Umar Kyari Sandabe,” said one staff member. Her mission is “to serve as an institution for intellectual development whose ideals are to train men and women to acquire appropriate skills, abilities, and competence, both mental and physical, as well as inculcating the right type of values and attitudes for the well-being of society in general.”.
Therefore, the mission is clearly expressed and captured in her Moto, written in Arabic as “Al-ilmu laisa lahu hudud,” translated as knowledge has no boundaries. This is why Bosu was able to spread, register, and announce her presence among her finely baked graduates, who came from various states of the federation.
Impressively, Bosu has established academic relationships and partnerships with some universities, both home and abroad, such as the University of Lagos, the University of Ibadan, the Obafemi Awolowo University of Ife, and the University of Maidugur. Across the shores are the Alliance of Islamic Universities of Africa in Pakistan and the State University of Bangladesh. We are facilitating with the recently appointed acting vice chancellor, Prof. Haruna Dantoro Dlakwa.
BOSU: A Fast-Growing State University in Nigeria
Education
Chairman NAPPS seeks intervention for private schools in Nigeria

Chairman NAPPS seeks intervention for private schools in Nigeria
By: Yahaya Wakili
The Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Potiskum chapter, Malam Mohammed Sambo Adamu, has called on the federal and state governments to provide intervention to private schools in the country.
Mohammed, who is also the Director and Proprietor of Women Day Academy Potiskum, made the call today during the celebration of 2025 National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Day at St. Peters Academy and College Potiskum, Yobe State.
The Director of Women Day Academy further said the private schools are in need of intervention from the government in order to develop our school infrastructures and other things.
He revealed that over 70 schools are here today for celebrating Napps Day and drawing the attention of the Yobe State Government Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to come and intervene in the Napps, particularly because there are young schools that used to come up.
“We need maximum cooperation and other things that will develop the schools in the Potiskum local government and its environment, including the grants and other things for rehabilitation and maintaining the schools,” the chairman added.
The chairman appreciates the effort of all people that extend their support to private schools and also appreciates the effort of all parents as well as the proprietors and directors of various schools that give us maximum cooperation to organize such programs.
Chairman NAPPS seeks intervention for private schools in Nigeria
Education
ASUU, like PENGASAN: And the Unending Trauma of the Nigerian Federal University Students.

ASUU, like PENGASAN: And the Unending Trauma of the Nigerian Federal University Students.
By: Dr. James Bwala
The academic landscape in Nigeria is fraught with challenges that have a profound impact on students’ lives, particularly within the federal university system. Central to this discourse is the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), like the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASAN), both of which serve as pivotal players in the orchestration of educational policies and policies in the oil sector and conditions within their respective domains. The persistent conflicts, strikes, and policies instituted by these unions have created an atmosphere of instability and uncertainty that significantly affects students and Nigerians. The implications of ASUU and PENGASAN on Nigerian federal university students and the nightmares of fuel queues among Nigerians generally have a long history. Exploring the historical context of their formation, the recurrent strikes they undertake, the psychological and academic trauma experienced by students, and the broader consequences on Nigerians and Nigeria’s educational sector is huge.
The inception of ASUU in 1978 arose from the necessity to address the deteriorating conditions of academic staff in Nigerian universities. Established with the aim to advocate for better remuneration and improved working conditions, ASUU became a significant voice for university lecturers’ rights. As a union, it quickly grew to encompass broader issues within the educational sector, including the quest for greater budget allocations and autonomy for federal universities.
Conversely, PENGASAN emerged as a counterpart for oil workers, seeking similar objectives of improved conditions and recognition. Both unions echo decades of systemic neglect characterized by inadequate funding, lack of infrastructure, and insufficient support for research and development in Nigeria’s higher education system as well as the shifts required for the oil workers. They always cried out, directing their actions to what they called the unfulfilled promises by the government. But who is really not making an attempt to shift ground? ASUU or government? Of course those with little or no information about what is going on at the table of meetings will always want to point a finger at the government. The very lie they told you is that ASUU is fighting for the rights of all, and we believed them as carriers of the true message. Always the resultant tensions between educational bodies, the oil sector, and the state have led to numerous strikes, which have become a recurring theme in the academic calendar for the universities and the ugly experiences Nigerians had to deal with wheneverPENGASAN made a move until recently exposed in the case with Dangote.
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We are heading towards another round of strikes again by ASUU despite the efforts of the government under this administration to ensure a soft landing for all Nigerians and particularly students seeking education in federal universities. Strikes instigated by ASUU, like PENGASAN, have become emblematic of the struggles within Nigeria as a nation. Nigeria’s educational sector and the oil sector are areas of discussion amongst citizens recently. The most recent decades have seen these unions engage in strike actions that have spanned from weeks to months, bringing the academic calendar to a standstill and forcing motorists out of the roads as a result. For instance, ASUU’s strike in 2022 lasted over eight months due to grievances surrounding underfunding and the implementation of agreements made with the government. Such prolonged disruptions are not just an inconvenience; they precipitate a cascade of negative effects for students, and the private universities are cashing in on this and strangling parents who had to pay through their nose to see to the education of their children. And this same ASUU, which is benefitting from an extended hand in the private education sector, is looking the other way as parents sweat it to meet the least they must do for their children.
Academically, strikes lead to the elongation of degree programs, compounding the already lengthy process of obtaining a university education in Nigeria. The psychological toll cannot be understated; students face anxiety over their futures, uncertainty concerning job prospects, and the diminished quality of education due to inconsistent attendance and sporadic learning experiences. The change in academic timelines often disrupts students’ plans, resulting in financial strain as many students depend on family support or scholarships that typically have fixed durations. Certainly this bad experience gave birth to a disease we are all experiencing today in the name of violent and cyber crimes, or Yahoo-Yahoo, an education most students get from self-teachings in very dark universities. And this has become a problem for the whole society.
Additionally, the overlap of strikes with an unstable economy means that many students are also grappling with financial insecurity, which necessitates the other way round. With students from lower socio-economic backgrounds affected disproportionately, the impact of these strikes exacerbates existing inequalities in access to quality education, and we are making do with what is at hand—the bad deeds and the resultant returns.
The trauma inflicted upon Nigerian federal university students extends beyond academic interruptions. Students endure a complex web of psychological stressors, manifesting as anxiety, depression, and loss of motivation. The constant uncertainty regarding when or if classes will resume creates an environment rife with frustration and despair. This mental health crisis among students has been acknowledged yet remains largely unaddressed by university administrations and government bodies. The social fabric of university life is disrupted during strikes. Students miss out on critical developmental experiences that occur within a vibrant campus setting—interactions that foster networking, communication skills, and emotional intelligence. Many students feel isolated during these periods, leading to a sense of disconnection from their peers and the academic community. The lack of engagement in academic settings can lead to a culture where students feel disenfranchised and voiceless, further breeding cynicism towards the democratic processes that govern their education.
The continuous cycles of strikes and unrest within the Nigerian federal university system highlight deeper systemic issues. Despite efforts being put in place to reach agreements, ASUU has in most cases been unwilling to shift ground, causing setbacks in every sitting government, and this lack of agreements with ASUU, as with PENGASAN, is indicative of a broader disregard for the importance of education and the future of Nigeria’s youth. This neglect results in a myriad of outcomes that affect not only students but the entire nation.
One significant consequence other than what I mentioned earlier is the brain drain phenomenon. Many qualified individuals, frustrated by the poor educational infrastructure and lack of opportunities domestically, opt to seek education and employment abroad. This exodus of talent diminishes the potential for innovation and economic growth within Nigeria, perpetuating a cycle of dependency on foreign expertise and limiting the country’s ability to develop homegrown solutions to its challenges.
In a competitive global environment, the quality of graduates produced by Nigerian universities is increasingly scrutinized. Disruptions caused by strikes affect the perception of these institutions both locally and internationally. Prospective students may reconsider enrolling in Nigerian universities, leading to a decline in enrollment rates and the subsequent financial crises faced by these institutions. The intersection of ASUU and PENGASAN’s activities with the experiences of Nigerian federal university students paints a stark picture of an educational landscape marred by conflict and instability.
While these unions play crucial roles in advocating for the rights and needs of academic staff and workers in their drives, the consequences of their actions resonate negatively through the lives of students and Nigerians who find themselves caught in the crossfire. The unending trauma experienced by these students—including prolonged academic timelines, psychological distress, and a compromised educational environment—demands urgent attention and reform. Addressing these challenges requires a collaborative effort between the government, educational institutions, and student bodies. It is imperative that stakeholders prioritize dialogue and negotiations that yield tangible improvements in funding, infrastructure, and overall educational policies. Only through concerted efforts can the negative cycles of strikes and trauma be mitigated, paving the way for a more stable, equitable, and empowering educational experience for all Nigerian federal university students.
* James Bwala, PhD, writes from Abuja
ASUU, like PENGASAN: And the Unending Trauma of the Nigerian Federal University Students.
Education
Pay us all our dues or prepare for indefinite strike…. ASUU to the federal government

Pay us all our dues or prepare for indefinite strike…. ASUU to the federal government
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has decried the federal government’s failure to remit third-party deductions, such as cooperative contributions and pension funds belonging to its members.
Chair of unimaid branch Dr Habu Mshelia in a recent interview described the action of the federal government as a serious breach of legal and ethical obligations to it’s members and called for it’s immediate reversal.
Dr Mshelia regretted that this systemic sabotage which started with the introduction of the integrated payroll and personnel information system (IPPIS) not only erodes trust but also jeopardizes the future retirement benefits of those who have faithfully contributed to these schemes.
“ASUU demands immediate rectification of this injustice and full restoration of financial integrity across all remittance channels.” He warned.
Mshelia maintained during the parley that ” These deductions, taken from members’ salaries, have not reached the appropriate bodies, crippling welfare schemes and jeopardizing future retirement benefits.
He added that: “This injustice must be urgently addressed to restore financial integrity and protect the economic well-being of our members.
“Since the adoption of IPPIS, these remittances have been withheld, crippling welfare schemes and threatening the financial security of our members. Worse still, the government’s actions appear to deliberately undermine the GIFMIS platform under the guise of salary vetting by IPPIS.
“This has led to consistent delays in salary payments, often by one to two weeks, causing unnecessary hardship and anxiety among academic staff.” Said the chairman.
Mshelia who briefed newsmen recently in Maiduguri said their lingering campaign against the wrong doings of the federal government was not a mere statement but a call to conscience. “A reaffirmation of their unwavering commitment to the defence of quality education, academic integrity, University autonomy and the dignity of university staff across the country.
“We speak today not only for ourselves, but for the future of Nigeria’s youth, for the sanctity of our institutions, and for the soul of a nation that must choose between progress and decay.
“Let it be known: ASUU will not remain silent while the foundations of our universities are eroded. We will not stand idle as agreements are dishonoured and our members are subjected to economic hardship and institutional disrespect.
The union leaders then called for the completion of certain unfinished businesses which they believe will bring harmony between them.
On the desperate need to renegotiate the 2009 agreement, Mshelia warned that
“The government’s refusal to sign the renegotiated agreement continues a troubling pattern of broken promises. Sixteen years after the original agreement, meant to address chronic underfunding, poor infrastructure, and inadequate remuneration, most of its provisions remain unfulfilled.”
Dr Mshelia regretted that certain reports like the 2012 Needs Assessment and pledges (MOU & MOA) made in 2017 and 2020 have all been ignored by the Federal government adding that “The Yayale Ahmed Committee Report now joins this list of abandoned commitments; Nemi Briggs Committee report; Professor Munzali Jubril committee report; the Babalakin led committee report.
He stressed that : “This persistent sabotage of Collective Bargaining condemns lecturers to poverty amid rising inflation and unbearable living costs. ASUU rejects this economic injustice and will resist any attempt to erode the integrity of Nigeria’s university system. Enough is enough.”
On payment of withheld salaries and arrears, the chairman regretted that “many of our members continue to suffer from unpaid salary arrears amounting to but not limited to 25–35% wage award. Promotion arrears, legally due to academics who earned them through merit, remain unpaid in many institutions including ours for over four years.
“Additionally, the punitive withholding of three and a half months’ salaries during the 2022 ASUU strike persists as an act of victimization. Immediate settlement of most of these arrears is essential to restore fairness, boost morale, and maintain industrial harmony within the academic community.
Speaking on terminal benefits of retired members, Mshelia lamented that members of the union were treated as trash instead of given the dignity of an emeritus professor.
“How on earth do you pay a professor 150k as pension after his selfless service to the nation? AProfessors who have dedicated over four decades to educating generations retire on a meagre ₦150,000 under the Contributory Pension Scheme, while inflation exceeds 21%. This is not just a labour issue; it is a national disgrace.
Assault on University Autonomy
“The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Maiduguri Chapter, unequivocally condemns the recent unilateral decision to rename the University of Maiduguri as Muhammadu Buhari University. This action is not only provocative, it is a blatant violation of the principle of university autonomy and a grave affront to the values of academic freedom, institutional integrity, and democratic governance.
“Universities are not political ornaments to be rebranded at the whim of power. They are intellectual sanctuaries, built on decades of scholarship, sacrifice, and service. The name University of Maiduguri is deeply rooted in the cultural, historical, and academic identity of the region. It reflects the aspirations of generations and the legacy of a community that has nurtured knowledge in the face of adversity.
“To erase that legacy without consultation is to insult the very soul of the institution. The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu policy statement, imposed without engagement with the university community, governing council, or stakeholders, sets a dangerous precedence. It signals a shift toward the politicization of our universities, where decisions are made not in the interest of education, but in pursuit of personal glorification. If allowed to stand, it will erode the credibility of our institutions and undermine the autonomy that is essential to their survival.
“ASUU stands as the unwavering voice of academic integrity and institutional independence. We do not respond with emotion, we respond with facts, with principle, and with resolve. The widespread rejection of this renaming, from alumni, students, staff, and civil society, is both justified and necessary.
“We call on all members of the Union, and indeed all Nigerians who value education, to continue their clear-eyed perspectives and decisive pronouncements. These have always guided our deliberations as we chart a path forward. Let it be known: We reject this ill-conceived and deeply offensive decision. We demand its immediate reversal. We reaffirm that the identity of a university must reflect its heritage, not serve as a monument to political power.
“The legacy of UNIMAID—painstakingly built over five decades—will not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. ASUU will not relent, will not surrender, and will not allow the autonomy of our universities to be trampled in silence.”
” We call on the Federal Government to honour its commitments. Parents, students, and the Nigerian public to see this as a fight for the future. NANS and student bodies to demand their right to quality education. Civil society, labour unions, religious and traditional leaders to intervene before another shutdown”.
He concluded.
Pay us all our dues or prepare for indefinite strike…. ASUU to the federal government
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