Education

ASUSS Faults Delay of WAEC CBT Rollout

By Web News 859

By Adenitan Akinola

The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) has warned that postponing the introduction of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) until 2030 amounts to abandoning the reform entirely.

Speaking to journalists in Osogbo, Osun State, National President of ASUSS, Comrade Sola Adigun, described the House of Representatives’ resolution to delay the rollout by five years as “a subtle but effective way of killing a progressive policy that is long overdue.”

“The truth is simple: postponing this programme for another five years is the same as abolishing it completely,” he said. “By 2030, the political will, the officials driving it, and even the urgency will be gone.”

He noted that the Federal Ministry of Education had developed a clear CBT transition plan over the past two years, including nationwide accredited centres and a 2026 deadline that will require schools hosting WAEC examinations to possess computers and power generators.

He praised the initiative as crucial to reducing logistics challenges and curbing widespread malpractice in the current paper-based system, pointing to the “dramatic success” recorded by JAMB since adopting CBT.

Adigun rejected the National Assembly’s justification that poor electricity and internet connectivity in rural areas necessitated the postponement.

“Since the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023, state governments have received massive increases in federal allocations. What have they done with the money to equip schools with computers, generators, and internet facilities?” he asked. “Have they moved closer to UNESCO’s 26 per cent budgetary benchmark for education?”

He urged lawmakers to channel constituency projects into providing digital infrastructure for rural schools rather than using existing gaps as an excuse to delay the digital transition.

“ASUSS is not asking for the programme to be rushed without preparation, but we insist that all hands must be on deck for earnest implementation,” he said. “If we keep waiting for a ‘perfect environment’ that will never come, we will continue raising generations that are digitally illiterate.”

Comrade Adigun warned that further delay would only favour those benefiting from chaos and malpractice.

“Five more years of postponement is not caution, it is surrender. And surrender means the death of the CBT dream for WAEC,” he said.

The House of Representatives had, on 13 November 2025, called for suspending the programme until 2030, over fears of mass failure linked to inadequate infrastructure.

ASUSS has now urged lawmakers to reverse course and support the Federal Ministry of Education in commencing the CBT rollout as scheduled, insisting that “postponement is cancellation by another name.”

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Education

ASUSS Demands Collaboration to Save Education

By Web News 420

By Funmi Ojo

The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, says collaboration among teachers, governments, parents, and communities is the only way to save Nigeria’s ailing education sector.

Speaking ahead of the 2025 World Teachers’ Day, the National President of ASUSS, Mr. Sola Adigun, said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,” underscores the urgent need for unity in tackling the nation’s education challenges.

He said teaching has never been a job for lone rangers, noting that the progress of a child is determined not by the teacher alone, but also by parents, policymakers, communities, and government.

“True collaboration gives teachers a voice in shaping the future of education.”

Mr. Adigun commended the Federal Ministry of Education for including ASUSS representatives in the expanded Governing Council of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN, and praised the tuition-free Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET, programme as a model of effective partnership between policy and practice.

He also recognised states like Ekiti and Bayelsa for pioneering tuition-free technical education, while applauding governments that respect teachers’ right to associate with ASUSS.

The ASUSS President, however, decried the failure of 16 states to implement the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022, despite court rulings, warning that such neglect undermines collaboration.

He further criticised the hurried implementation of the new 9-year Basic Education Curriculum without adequate teacher training or resources.

Other pressing challenges, according to him, include examination malpractice, poor welfare, decaying infrastructure, and insecurity in schools, problems that cannot be solved in silos.

Mr. Adigun called on states yet to establish Senior Secondary Education Boards to do so urgently, recruit more qualified teachers, and ensure teachers’ welfare is protected. He also renewed the demand for ASUSS’s trade union certificate, approved 17 years ago but still withheld.

He pledged that ASUSS would continue to support the TRCN registration policy, noting that professional certification enhances dignity and competence.

World Teachers’ Day is celebrated globally on October 5 to honour educators and spotlight the challenges facing the profession.

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Education

ASUSS Commends FG’s TVET Initiative

By Web News 109 Post a comment

By Mojisola Oladele

The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, Nigeria, has lauded the Federal Government’s decision to make education completely free in all 33 Federal Science and Technical Colleges, FSTCs across the country under the newly launched Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET initiative.

The National President of ASUSS, Mr. Sola Adigun made the commendation in a statement to newsmen in Osogbo.

Mr. Adigun who described the policy as a bold step, noted that the policy includes monthly stipends, free meals, accommodation, internationally recognised certifications, and guaranteed post-graduation support.

He stressed that the policy is capable of repositioning technical education in Nigeria and preparing a generation of self-reliant and globally competitive youth.

“This initiative is highly commendable. It reflects a deliberate and strategic effort to equip young Nigerians with practical, industry-relevant skills, while also removing financial barriers to access. We view this as a long-overdue investment in the future of the country.”

Mr. Adigun expressed optimism that the initiative, launched under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, would help bridge the skills gap, reduce unemployment, and restore dignity to technical and vocational education in the Nation.

The ASUSS President emphasised the need for complementary policies and robust implementation strategies to guarantee the programme’s success and sustainability.

“The 33 FSTCs must be equipped with modern tools, functional laboratories, and digital infrastructure to deliver high-quality, hands-on instruction.” The President ASUSS explains further.

He urged the government to prioritise teacher training, retooling, and welfare, particularly for educators in science, technology, and vocational disciplines.

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Education

OAU/ASUSS Clamors For Entitlements, As Strike Continues

By Web News 958

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUSS, Obafemi Awolowo University OAU Ile Ife branch has insisted it will not suspend its current strike until the institution’s authority paid earned allowance of its members.

The protest was led by the leadership of the Union from Akure zone, Benin zone and Lagos zone.

Addressing the congress, coordinator of the Akure zone, Professor Olusayo Olu-Olu explained that only OAU was yet to pay the earned allowance for its staff since it was released by the Federal government.

Professor Olu-Olu said the major contention was the attempt by the  OAU management to use other modalities to effect, particularly to non-members of ASUU as against other universities that had paid since December last year.

Also speaking, the Chairman of ASUU, OAU chapter, Dr Adeola Egbetokun decried the attempt by the OAU management to manipulate the Union over the EAA allowance, saying OAU remained the only University attempting to inject new modalities of payment.

Dr Egbetokun maintained that (ASUU) fought for the money and should lead on how the money should be disbursed.

“That is how it happens in every university, I don’t know why OAU case is different. This is not the first time that such a thing like this will be happening.”

“We use to disburse EAA based on the template that is submitted by ASUU and not any group. If they have the capacity, they should demand theirs, this is our money. ASUU share must be disbursed to us.

On the 20th of January we held a meeting with the audit unit where they said they are going to take our computation for verification, since that day, there has not been any official communication from the management on the outcome of the audit.”

The ASUU chairman said the Union’s template was submitted to the institution management for audit verification and if anything was wrong in what was submitted, the authority should communicate the union formally.

Similarly, the coordinator of the Lagos zone of ASUU, Dr Laja Odukoya urged OAU chapter of ASUU to report the vice Chancellor to the minister of Education as an administrator promoting industrial unrest on his Campus.

Reacting to the development, the University authority through its Spokesperson, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju denied the allegation of it refused to pay the Earned Allowance but argued that there were two Academic bodies on the campus and it would be wrong for the management to use the template designed by only one of the Unions when the other one did not agree to it.

Mr Olarewaju said once the two unions reached a position on the template to use, the University would release their money to them.

Radio Nigeria went through faculties of Social Sciences, Law, Administration, Arts and sciences where students were met in numbers discussing the matter.

While some students were playing table tennis at their faculty basement, others were listening and dancing to hip hop music.

However, lectures went on in a few classes.

One of the lecturers who did not want to mention told Radio Nigeria that he was not a member of ASUSS, but that of Conference of Nigeria Universities Academic, CONUA and his union did not order a strike.

Some students said the ASUU strike was impeding academic programmes on the campus since ASUU parades the largest numbers of members.

Adenitan Akinola

Education

Ogun Govt. Gifts “Best Teacher” Awardee 2-Bedroom Apartment

By Web News 1117

Ogun State government has promised to immediately release the letters of engagement to five thousand teachers under the Ogun State Teaching Experience Acquisition Channel in a bid to address the shortage of teachers in the public schools. 

Governor Dapo Abiodun who made the promise at the 2021 World Teachers’ Day Celebration held in Abeokuta, also announced cash rewards to about twelve teachers across primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary schools.

The 2021 World Teachers’ Day programme with the theme, “Teachers at the heart of education recovery” represents part of global efforts to acknowledge the contributions of teachers in the planning and execution of education policy. 

At the event which took place at Oba’s Complex, Oke Mosan Abeokuta, Governor Dapo Abiodun said the government would continue to initiate teacher-friendly policies towards the development of education in the state.

Governor Abiodun told the teachers that the recent posting of teachers to rural areas which had generated controversies among teachers in Ogun state would be reviewed.

Governor Abiodun who presented documents of a two-bedroom semi-detached apartment at Kobape to the overall best teacher in Ogun State said his administration would continue to reward excellence to enhance productivity in the education sector.

The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, Mr. Akeem Lasisi said the approval for the implementation of the Ogun State Teaching Experience Acquisition Channel was long overdue.

Mr. Lasisi implored the state government to massively invest in the education sector by improving the capacity and welfare of school personnel, making the sector more ICT-compliant, and exposing the teachers to international best practices.

The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Ogun State Wing, Mr. Akinola Abiodun who was represented by the State Secretary of the union, Mr. Samson Oyelere called for the quick release of months of unremitted cooperative deductions which he noted had adversely affected the lives of workers.

The overall best teacher, Mr. Oladapo Kehinde from Japara High School Junior, Ijebu Igbo, who attributed the feat to dedication and commitment thanked the governor for the gesture.

The high point of the event was the presentation of cheques to other teacher awardees in the primary, junior and senior secondary schools category.

Olusegun Folarin

Economy

Governor Oyetola Recognises ASUSS As Independent Trade Union

By Web News 1215

The Governor of Osun State, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola has granted approval recognising  the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS as an independent Trade Union.

The Governor is contained in a letter signed by Mr O.A Omishakin on behalf of the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Human Resources and Capacity Building and addressed to ASUSS Chairman in the State,Comrade Adediran Adesegun.

The letter says the Governor’s approval is in compliance with constitutional and Administrative provisions.

The letter reads in part;” In consonance with constitutional and administrative provisions,the state Government of Osun has dispassionately consider your request to severe relationship with the Nigeria Union of Teachers NUT and operate as an independent In Union…” 

The Governor also directs that all entitlements due other unions be accorded to ASUSS. ” I am to inform you that His Excellency, the Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola has approved that due official recognition be granted your Union forthwith with requisite entitlement and privileges commensurate to what other Unions in that category enjoin”.

The statement adds that all relevant labor centers as well as ministries, Departments and Agencies of Federal and State Governments are being informed of the development so as to accord ASUSS necessary recognition.

The Government also direct all agencies and relevant stakeholders in the Education sector to take note of the development, particularly in relations to all deductions and remittance of check-off dues to ASUSS coffers.

Adenitan Akinola.

Education

₦12,000 Security Seminar: Ondo Govt. Reverses Decision

By Web News 1604

Following the protest by school principals and teachers as reported by Radio Nigeria, the Ondo state government has bowed to pressure to review the conditions for the proposed security seminar being organised for schools in the state.

Radio Nigeria had exclusively reported that the state government was organising the seminar with a directive that all private and secondary schools in the state must pay ₦12,000 each for the seminar.

In a circular, the education ministry directed that every secondary school both public and private in the state should provide a principal and two teachers and pay a sum of ₦4,000 each for selected participants.

The principals, teachers and private schools proprietors however rejected the government’s directive, describing it as strange and unacceptable.

It was gathered that the ministry of education has reduced the seminar fee to ₦4,000 per school while participants had been reduced to principals only.

A source in the ministry of education who does not want his name mentioned said though the unions were still insisting that the seminar must be at zero cost, the state government through the state head of service, Mr. John Adeyemo had pleaded for understanding from the principals as the state is not buoyant to sponsor the seminar.

Reacting, the permanent secretary, ministry of education, Mrs Lola Amuda told Radio Nigeria that issues raised on the proposed seminar were being addressed with the aim of resolving them.

Kayode Animasaun

Education

Principals, School Proprietors, Protest 12,000 Naira Govt. Security Seminar Fee

By Web News 1092 Post a comment

Principals, secondary school teachers and proprietors of private Secondary Schools in Ondo state have protested the directive of the state government asking them to pay a sum of 12,000 naira per school as compulsory fee for a proposed seminar on security.

The proposed security workshop is being organised by the Public Service Training Institute, PSTI, while a circular was issued to that effect by the Ministry of Education.

In the circular, the ministry directed that every secondary school both public and private in the state should provide a principal and two teachers and pay a sum of 4,000 naira each for the selected participants.

The principals, teachers and private schools proprietors however described the directive as strange and unacceptable, considering various financial challenges facing many public schools occasioned by lack of running grants.

In separate letters, addressed to the Head of Service, the Ondo State chairman, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Nigeria, ASUSS, Comrade Balogun Tajudeen and the President of All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Public Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, Mr. Johnbull Mebawondu urged the state government to reverse its directive and make the seminar free in the interest of all stakeholders. 

In an interview with Radio Nigeria, the Head of Service in the state, Mr. John Adeyemo, said efforts were ongoing towards ensuring that schools reduce the number of participants.

Mr. Adeyemo also debunked the allegation that the seminar was meant to enriching some people in government.

Kayode Animasaun