Education
MoU: UNILAG set to teach Spanish language in 2023

MoU: UNILAG set to teach Spanish language in 2023
The University of Lagos says plans are at an advanced stage to begin the teaching of Spanish language in the institution in January 2023.
The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, gave the hint during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Juan Sell, on Friday in Lagos.
According to him, the MoU is the beginning of many more programmes that are springing up in the university.
He noted that with the development, the institution was moving to the space of ‘universities without borders’.
Ogundipe said that the move would also attract more foreign students and lecturers to the 60-year-old university.
He said that there were about 10 foreign students currently studying in the institution.
“As you know, presently, we teach various foreign languages in this university, such as Chinese, German, French and Russian, and now, we are introducing the study of Spanish.
“At the initial stage, it will be a short programme, but at the end of the day, we are going to run a degree programme on that. And that is why we remain the university of first choice and the nation’s pride.
“This is a cosmopolitan university and I am glad that today, we have three ambassadors who are part of the signing.
“By next yearJanuary, we shall be having voluntary lecturers from Spain, coming to Nigeria to teach our students in the area of Spanish language and I am very excited about this development.
“I also want to state that with this development, we are moving steadily to the space of universities without border,” the don said.
Ogundipe, the outgoing 12th vice chancellor of the university, said that with the development, lecturers from Mexico or Spain or any of the Spanish-speaking countries could also engage the students virtually.
He assured that the university’s virtual platform was in top shape for the purpose.
Ogundipe said that this would enable students from the university spending a year or two at the undergraduate level, to move to either Spain or Mexico, to round off the degree programme.
According to him, with this, such student will have two degree programmes or programmes in two courses.
“So, we are moving to an era where there will be no more boundaries between one university or the other, irrespective of their locations globally, and we run programmes together and even conduct examinations together.
“I believe strongly too that the number of foreign students will soon be on the increase.
I have this conviction because before now, accommodation has always been a great challenge in the institution in particular, and Lagos in general.
“This has constituted a lay back to these students, but with what is currently on ground, which in the next three months we are going to accomplish, it will change the story.
“We are about having a state -of -the -art international students’ hostel attracted to the university by Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“And by the time we open that up, definitely, it is going to attract more of these foreign students, at least in the next one year.
“They will know that this is already provided for and so, they will have nothing to fear,” Ogundipe stated.
The vice chancellor said that the university was also looking at the possibility of having discounted students’ fee for foreign students from West African countries.
On his part, Amb. Sell said that the country was already running some exchange programmes with Nigeria, basically those organised by the European Union, the Spanish Women for Africa Foundation and Learn Africa, among others.
He said that the MoU with the university would enable his country to send lecturers in Spanish language or a Chair in Spanish.
“We are first going to send a professor in Spanish that will work within the university, having signed an MoU on that in the Faculty of Arts, Department of Foreign Language and Integrated Studies.
“That will be the seed for the teaching of Spanish language here. Of course, he will start teaching that from the very moment he lands at the airport.
“This is going to bring the two countries closer together, as well as our universities. All we are striving to do is to bring people of the two nations very much closer together.
“And this is very important. Spanish is not only being owned by Spain and that is why we have the Amb. of Mexico and that of Equatorial Guinea here with me.
“Spanish is spoken all over the world by over 500 million people, across 20 nations. Some of them, just across the Atlantic, kind of your neighbours.
“And so, we want the language to be widely acceptable and learnt even here in Nigeria,” he said.
He said that the signing of the MoU coincided with the celebration of his country’s national day, which comes up on Oct. 15, noting that the two occasions were of great significance to him.
Alfredo Miranda, the Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria, expressed joy over the signing of the MoU with the university, noting that it was also his first visit to the institution.
“It is an important moment for us, I am glad to be here to be part of this auspicious occasion.
“I was invited by my colleague, the Ambassador of Spain, because as he said, Mexico has 120 million Spanish-speaking people, making it the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world.
“Having our lecturers here will open up possibilities to invite more people coming from different Latin American countries and, therefore, benefit from the various academic programmes that will be involved; not only the language, but also our culture and activities.
“It will also provide a platform that would enable them know what we are doing as a people, because the most important thing in the world right now is the fact that people across divides are now seeking to learn and benefit from each other in various aspects,” Miranda said.
MoU: UNILAG set to teach Spanish language in 2023
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
Education
United Nations Nigeria Reaffirms support for Malala Fund and Girls’ Education

United Nations Nigeria Reaffirms support for Malala Fund and Girls’ Education
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations in Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to work with Malala Fund in its mission to advance the right to education and address the challenges that keep millions of children, especially girls, out of school.
The promise was made over the weekend in Abuja during a strategic engagement by the UN team with Nobel Laureate and Malala Fund co-founder, Ms. Malala Yousafzai, alongside the organisation’s executive team and board members. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Fall, underscored the UN’s dedication to promoting inclusive and equitable education for all.

Fall said: “The UN reaffirms its support to the Malala Fund in advancing the right of the girl-child to quality education and breaking barriers to education access,” said Mr. Fall, “No child should be left behind.”
The UN Resident Coordinator led a UN delegation comprising representatives from UNICEF, UNESCO, UNDP, UNFPA, and UN Women to the meeting. He emphasized that meaningful societal transformation hinges on robust investment in human capital, particularly through education for girls and empowerment of women.
Fall added that: “Together with the government and our partners, we are committed to dismantling the obstacles that prevent children, especially the most vulnerable, from accessing education.”
He identified key barriers to education in Nigeria, including insecurity, economic hardship, climate change, and entrenched socio-cultural norms. He called for intensified efforts to promote gender equality and strengthen social cohesion as critical pathways to sustainable development.

Malala, who arrived in Abuja on September 26 for the Malala Fund Board of Directors annual meeting, reiterated Nigeria’s central role in the Fund’s global strategy for 2025–2030.
She said: “Nigeria is a priority country for Malala Fund. Since 2014, we have invested over $8 million in Nigerian partner organisations working to break down the barriers keeping girls out of school.”
She outlined the Malala Fund’s strategic priorities in Nigeria, which include: ensuring married and pregnant girls can return to school; increasing education financing and ensuring it meets girls’ needs; and using education as a policy solution to ending child marriage.
The Chief Executive Officer of Malala Fund Nigeria, Ms Nabila Aguele reiterated the commitment of the organisation to ensuring all girls could access and complete 12 years of school in Nigeria. She emphasised Malala Fund’s focus onstrengthening rights and securing resources for girls’ secondary education.
Ms. Yousafzai is expected in Abuja to engage with young girls and education advocates supported by the Malala Fund to hear firsthand their stories, aspirations, and the changes they wish to see in their communities. She will also meet with key government and civil society leaders to galvanize momentum for policy reforms and collaborative action to accelerate progress on girls’ education nationwide.
United Nations Nigeria Reaffirms support for Malala Fund and Girls’ Education
Education
NOA Campus Debate: Yobe State University emerges winner in North-East

NOA Campus Debate: Yobe State University emerges winner in North-East
Yobe State University has won the North-East Campus Debate competition organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
The competition themed: “Unity in Diversity: Defining National Identity in Nigeria’s Multicultural Society,” attracted participants from six government-owned universities in the region.
Shehu Abdullahi, Gombe Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Reintegration, said this at the end of the competition, on Thursday in Gombe.
He said Yobe State University beat five others to emerge the winner.
Abdullahi said that Modibbo Adama University, Yola came second, and Gombe State University placed third.
While Federal University, Wukari in Taraba clinched fourth position, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi came fifth and University of Maiduguri sixth position.
Abdullahi commended NOA for organising the competition aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s unity and reawaken national consciousness on the responsibility of citizens to peace and nation building.
Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General, NOA, said that the 2025 National Campus Debate was not only about competition but values.
According to Issa-Onilu, the exercise is not merely a competition but a civic engagement platform for grooming young minds intellectually, morally and patriotically.
Represented by Ali Audu, NOA Zonal Director, North-East zone, Issa-Onilu said the debate competition served as a national space for intellectual contest, civic dialogue, and youth expression.
The competition, he said, provided a space where the next generation of Nigerian leaders were called not only to speak but to think, research, reflect and take ownership of the values that will shape Nigeria’s future.
“This year’s edition of the debate has taken on a structured and inclusive three-tier format.
“At the first level, institutions from across all thirty-six states and the FCT submitted video entries that were screened based on strict evaluative criteria.
“From there, winning institutions advanced to this current zonal stage, the face-to-face debate, where they now compete for a place at the national grand finale. That final event, by the grace of God, will take place in Abuja during Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
“It will be hosted at the Presidential Villa, with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria himself expected to unveil the National Values Charter, at the occasion,” he said.
He said the competition also served as a call to stakeholders, especially yout6h, to think critically about what it means to be a Nigerian.
“And to explore how our differences can become our strength, and to offer solutions that move us closer to a united and just society.”
Also, Adaline Patari, NOA Director in Gombe State, reiterated commitment towards promoting patriotism, national values and social cohesion.
Ms Maryam Isyaku, a 100 level Law student and Zainab Alkali, a 500 level medicine student, represented Yobe State University in the competition.
They expressed joy over their victory, and urged Nigerians to embrace peace.
Isyaku said Nigeria would benefit everyone more if we stand in unity and harness our differences to build a better nation.
Ibrahim, who dedicated the victory to every girl-child in Yobe, added that, “something good is coming out of Yobe, and the girl-child is at the centre of it all.”
NOA Campus Debate: Yobe State University emerges winner in North-East
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