By Seyi Balogun

The 174th Governing Council meeting of the University of Calabar has approved the dismissal of eight members of staff and sanctioned another with a two-year promotion delay.

The offences range from examination malpractice to fund diversion and vandalism.

Dr Mrs Icha Chukwuka, the University Registrar, who signed the memo doubles as Secretary to Council, disclosed that the sanctions followed a review of disciplinary cases presented before Council members.

Those dismissed include Prof. Emilia Oyira of the Department of Nursing Science, over alleged examination misconduct; Mr Ukachukwu Echezunachi Darlington of Chemical Pathology, Mrs Akinrinade Opayemi Ogunluyi of Microbiology, Dr Arum Priscilia Nchekwube of Internal Medicine, and Mrs Okoi Nyesam Eni of the Clinical Medical Hostel, all sacked over absence and abandonment of duty.

Furthermore, the memo stated that Mr Joseph Edet Okon of the Works Department, was dismissed over allegations of vandalism and carting away of armoured cables, and Mr Eworo Valentine Ibor of Pure and Applied Chemistry, dismissed for allegedly falsifying and altering examination results.

Similarly, Mr Emmanuel Adariku of the Alumni Relations Office was dismissed over unauthorized withdrawal of funds from the Friends of Malabor/Alumni Trust Funds account, while Dr Mathias Agba of Nursing Science was handed a two-year promotion delay and forfeiture of 50 percent of his withheld salary over negligence linked to an examination misconduct case.

The Registrar’s memo added that the University “continues to reiterate its zero tolerance for all forms of unethical practices,” noting that the administration of Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong “remains resolute in its determination to rebrand the institution on a foundation of integrity and excellence in service delivery.”

The University’s Public Relations Unit, which released the statement, said the affected staff were dismissed in line with due process, following Council’s deliberation on the disciplinary reports presented to it.

–Warns Against Stopping Students from Writing Exams

By Michael Lim

The National leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed great discontent and strong resentment over the position of the management of the Federal University Wukari over fee payment.

In a statement issued on 16th July, 2026, signed by NANS National President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, the body condemned the university’s policy that:

“Students who are unable to pay their school fees to defer their semester or academic session, … that failure to either pay tuition fees or formally secure approval for deferment would result in the forfeiture of both the semester and the entire academic session.”

It further decried the. management’s stated position that students who defer without approval or absent themselves without an approved deferment would be barred from registering for the next academic session.

“We strongly decry this position, as it is insensitive, anti-student, and contrary to the ideals of accessible and inclusive education.

“Humanity must always precede our personal dispositions in the management of institutions. This decision is cruelty in its purest form. At a time when the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has introduced the NELFUND initiative to make education accessible to ordinary Nigerians and every young Nigerian who aspires to pursue higher education, it is disheartening that the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Wukari is the very one frustrating students and keeping them out of school because of financial challenges that the initiative was designed to address.”

The apex leadership of Nigerian students strongly condemned the position of the management of Federal University Wukari for adopting a stance that is not student-friendly and a direct attack on Nigerian students and the education sector at large.

The statement added: “It is on record that many of these students have already applied for NELFUND, which means the management will receive the tuition fees as soon as NELFUND disburses the funds. It is therefore inhumane for the Vice-Chancellor and the entire management of the institution to deny students the opportunity to write their examinations despite the assurance that NELFUND will certainly disburse the funds in due course.

“It is also on record that even when many students go out of their way to pay their fees before NELFUND disbursements, several institutions fail to refund them promptly. It was only recently, following sustained pressure from the leadership of NANS, that many of these institutions began processing refunds.

“According to reports available to us, over 5,000 students have been affected by this decision. Considering the sheer number of students involved and the willingness of the Vice-Chancellor to deny them access to education, it is evident that his policies are anti-student. More importantly, his actions undermine the very essence of the NELFUND initiative of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose vision is to ensure that every deserving Nigerian, regardless of financial circumstances, has access to quality education.”

The body unequivocally stated that there is no circumstance under which the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) will fold its arms and watch over 5,000 students to be denied the opportunity to sit for their examinations on account of late registration, despite having secured funding for their tuition through NELFUND.

Nans president declared that:

“Our position, as the apex leadership of Nigerian students, is clear and unambiguous: if these students are not allowed to complete their registration and sit for their examinations, then the examinations should not proceed for anyone.

“We shall continue to resist every policy and action that is detrimental to the interests and welfare of Nigerian students. We therefore call on the Vice-Chancellor,h as a matter of utmost urgency and importance, to immediately reverse this decision.”

By Michael Lim

For the financial strain on parents, guardians and the commercialisation of school celebrations, the Niger Private Schools Board has directed the discontinuation of the conduct of graduation ceremonies in all private schools across the state with immediate effect.

The Director of Information Services, Niger State Ministry of Information and Orientation, Mr Yunusa Ibrahim, made this statement available to the press on Tuesday in Minna.

Instead, Ibrahim explained, private schools are now required to adopt speech and prize-giving ceremonies as the approved platform for celebrating learners and recognising academic excellence, exemplary conduct, leadership and other outstanding achievements.

The directive, according to him, applies to all proprietors of private schools, school administrators and management teams, parents and guardians, as well as other stakeholders in the private education sector.

He added that the policy was introduced to promote uniformity in end-of-session activities across private schools, preserve the educational significance of school celebrations, strengthen effective regulation of private educational institutions, and discourage extravagant ceremonies.

He further said the policy aims to encourage schools to prioritise academic achievement and character development.

He clarified that the directive does not prevent schools from celebrating learners or recognising their achievements.

He added that speech and prize-giving ceremonies remain appropriate platforms for awarding prizes and certificates, recognising outstanding academic performance, honouring exemplary behaviour and leadership, and showcasing the achievements of pupils and students.

“Graduation ceremonies in some private schools have become increasingly elaborate and expensive in recent years, resulting in high financial demands on parents and guardians, and unnecessary competition among schools.

“This is a shift from the educational purpose of end-of-session activities and has led to the commercialisation of school celebrations.”

The Director of Information Services added that the board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Orientation and other relevant stakeholders, would embark on public enlightenment and sensitisation campaigns across the state to promote understanding and compliance.