Enugu – The Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, and the People’s Republic of China, have initiated modalities for partnership in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, vocational education, new energy and digital economy.

The proposed partnership which was the outcome of healthy interactions between ESUT authorities and Chinese delegation led by the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Nigeria, Yan Yuqing will equally include cultural exchanges, research collaborations and staff and students exchange programmes.

Addressing ESUT Management, weekend, the Consul General Yan Yuqing who came in company of her Protocol Officer, Hua Yihe and the Director of Bilateral Relations, Xu Fan, described Enugu State as a City of hospitality and a modern City with great potentials and opportunities in business and agriculture.

The Consul General equally emphasized that the partnership with ESUT would include seminar opportunities for the staff of the University as well as training and scholarship opportunities for the students of ESUT through the Chinese Ministry of Education.

She further stated that China, leveraging on her technology advantage has announced zero tariff for all African products as a way of enhancing her diplomatic relations with Nigeria, adding that it would benefit businessmen, especially those from southern Nigeria.

In his response, the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, who received the Chinese envoy along with principal and key officers of the University, stated that the visit was timely as the University was about to start Foreign Languages Department, adding that Chinese Language would be at the flagship of the department.

He said that the partnership would deepen staff and students exchange programmes especially in the area of experiential learning model being championed by His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State.

While thanking the Managing Director of Enugu State Investment and Development Authority, Hon. Kenechukwu Nnamani for leading the Chinese team to ESUT for collaboration, the Vice Chancellor noted that the focus of his administration was on hands-on learning and certification education model which would enhance the employability status of ESUT products.

Prof. Okolie pledged to explore the partnership agreement to enhance security in ESUT using the Chinese model, adding that it would equally help the Management to knock-off the University from the national grid and its attendant problem of frequent grid collapses.

He used the opportunity to announce that the University had already signed off 21 Memoranda of Understanding with other reputable institutions across the globe, adding the proposed partnership would be mutually-beneficial to both parties.

In order to enhance Chinese Friendship, the Vice Chancellor announced the desire of the Management to establish Chinese Village with its accompanying cultural centre in the University in order to network other southern states with Chinese culture

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More than five years after Covid-19 ravaged the country’s economy and leading to many deaths, Nigeria has recorded a new case of the virus in Cross River State.

Speaking at a news conference in Calabar, on Tuesday, Dr Henry Ayuk, the state’s Commissioner for Health, said the case involved a Chinese national, who worked with Lafarge and flew into the country on March 17, before taking ill.

News AGency of Nigeria reports that the commissioner stated that the Chinese’ case became worse at the medical facility of his office and had to be taken to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

He explained that at the UCTH, his samples were taken and all protocols followed; it was subsequently confirmed that he had symptoms of COVID-19.

“We are, however, happy to report that he is doing well,” the commissioner said.

Ayuk asserted that the ministry of health had, however, been repositioned by the current administration, to handle and manage any situation – diseases or epidemic outbreaks.

According to him, unfortunately, there have been silent infections and clear cases from time to time.

“But we are determined that for every ailment, every disease or outbreak, if it is identified here in the state, there should be no alarm.

“The state will do well in terms of surveillance or containment of an outbreak. Whatever it is, we will do our best to contain it. So, there is no alarm.

“When this case was reported in about three or four days ago, we decided to be careful to confirm and ensure that the processes involved with identifying and confirming every case of COVID-19, are duly followed.

“The protocols have been followed and confirmed that a 53-year-old Chinese who work in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state has COVID-19,” he said.

On her part, Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, State Epidemiologist, announced that in response to the case, the state emergency response unit had been activated.

She, however, noted that there was currently an ongoing contact tracing and line listing of those the Chinese may have been in contact with.

While noting the last case of confirmed case of COVID-19 in Cross River to be in 2022, the epidemiologist, however, feared that the Chinese may have contacted the virus here in Nigeria.

“The incubation period for this virus is usually between two to 14 days, but the Chinese flew into Nigeria from China on March 17 and started developing the symptoms on April 10.

“This is well beyond the 14 days incubation period. Like I said, we are doing the line listing of those he may have come in contact with, as part of our containment efforts.

“We have also activated the emergency response center and deployed rapid response teams to Akamkpa, where the victim works.

“There is no way we can stop this disease, but we can stop the disease outbreak.

“It will be wrong not to contain or manage it by ensuring that people do not die,” she stated.

Similarly, Dr Yewande Olatunde, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Coordinator in Cross River, stated that the disease was still around.

“We we must explore all preventive measures to protect ourselves.” she stressed.

NAN

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The Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) has dismissed a staffer, Garba Ahmed, after it found he engaged in illegal upload of unqualified students for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

In a statement by its spokesperson, Ismaila Yauri, the university said the decision was ratified on Wednesday during the university governing council’s 176th meeting.

The statement said his dismissal takes effect from 1 April, the date of the council meeting.

“Malam Garba was found guilty of illegally uploading unqualified students for NYSC mobilisation,” the statement said.

“The University Governing Council maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward acts of serious or gross misconduct.”

Mr Ahmed had worked in the university’s registry department, where he had access to the list of graduates being mobilised for the NYSC.

Universities mobilised graduates who have met all requirements, including clearing their results and paying all fees. The results are validated by the university senate before onward transfer of the list to the registry, where Mr Ahmed worked.

NYSC withdrew illegally mobilised graduates

Two years ago, the management of the NYSC withdrew over 100 NYSC certificates after it found they had been fraudulently mobilised by the University of Calabar, Cross River State.

The university later told PREMIUM TIMES that it uncovered the fraud and notified the management of the NYSC, which withdrew the certificates.

According to the NYSC, 99 of them were illegally mobilised for the national service between 2021 and 2023, while the remaining two received exemption certificates.

The one-year national service is compulsory for Nigerian graduates who are 30 years old or below when completing their academic programmes. Those over 30 are issued exemption certificates.

NERD to the rescue

However, the Nigerian government has introduced the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS) to verify and authenticate academic certificates for Nigerian graduates.

The NCVS issued by the Nigerian Education Repository and Databank (NERD) is now a compulsory certificate before anyone can be mobilised for the NYSC.

The post Varsity Staff Sacked over illegal NYSC Mobilisation appeared first on ESUT Monitor.

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities has warned the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately implement the newly approved salary structure for university lecturers or face a possible nationwide shutdown of public universities.

The union issued a four-day ultimatum on Thursday, with its president, Christopher Piwuna, saying failure to act within the deadline would trigger a strong response.

Speaking at Sa’adu Zungur University in Bauchi State, Piwuna said the government must begin payment under the new salary arrangement without further delay.

“We have issued a four-day ultimatum from today to the federal government to commence payment of the newly approved salary structure. Failure to comply will attract a strong response from the union,” he said.

The warning comes months after ASUU and the federal government signed a renegotiated agreement in January, aimed at resolving long-standing disputes and preventing the recurring strikes that have plagued Nigeria’s university system.

At the heart of the agreement is a revised salary structure designed to improve lecturers’ welfare and finally address issues stemming from the controversial 2009 FG-ASUU pact, which remained largely unimplemented for years.

Despite initial optimism from the union that the deal would mark a turning point, ASUU says there has been little progress. Piwuna recently disclosed that many federal universities are struggling to pay salaries, with some unable to fully pay January wages and others yet to pay for February.

The crisis recently escalated at the University of Lagos where lecturers embarked on an indefinite strike over unpaid salaries before suspending the action after discussions with the institution’s management.

According to ASUU, the delay in implementing the new pay structure is linked to practical challenges, including the slow passage of the 2026 national budget.

With the ultimatum now in effect, pressure is mounting on the government to act quickly and avert another disruption to academic activities across the country’s public universities.

Punch Credited

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Nigerian universities have struggled with declining academic standards, frequent strikes, and the migration of lecturers abroad. At the centre of these challenges lies an often-ignored factor: the salary structure of university lecturers.

Across higher education systems worldwide, lecturers’ welfare often plays a decisive role in determining the quality of learning students receive.

Experts argue that the importance of productivity among lecturers in tertiary institutions is critical because it directly enhances the quality of teacher training, ensuring that future educators are well-prepared.

Besides, they say that work remuneration, including various compensation packages, rewards, fringe benefits, pay, and allowances, plays a significant role in lecturers’ productivity in aspects of instruction, research supervision, publication and community service in various tertiary institutions across the nation.

Experts express worries that unproductive lecturers can significantly undermine national economic, social, and environmental sustainability by regressing knowledge.

They maintain that persistent poor remuneration amid economic crunch is fueling a massive brain drain in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, deepening crisis in the nation’s university system, where inadequate research funding have combined to erode morale and productivity among lecturers.

Kayode Soremekun, a former vice-chancellor at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) expressed concern that Nigerian lecturers are grossly underpaid.

“The underpayment is such that the average lecturer is on the look-out perpetually for opportunities abroad.

“The government should tackle the problem frontally, and examine what obtains in countries such as South Africa and match same, or even go beyond it. Otherwise, we will be caught in this morass for a long time,” he said.

Nigeria is one of the countries that pays university lecturers and professors the lowest salaries on the continent, according to data on salaries of professors with less than 10 years in the professorial cadre in African public universities.

Nigerian professors earned an average of $366 (about N500,000) monthly, far behind their counterparts in other African countries.

A report, made available on the University of Ibadan’s website, indicates that assistant lecturers, arts fellows, and librarians II have a specific salary scale with minimum annual salary of N794,260.00, while the maximum annual salary is N957,402.

For lecturer II, and research fellow II, the minimum salary per annum is N897,501, while the maximum annual salary is N1,074,314. Lecturer I, and research fellow I, receive a minimum annual salary of N1.12 million, while the maximum annual salary is N1.44 million

According to the report, a senior lecturer is paid a minimum annual salary of N1. 65 million, while the maximum annual salary is N2,35 million.

Data on salaries of professors with less than 10 years on the professorial cadre in African public universities show that while a Nigerian professor earns about $4,400 annually, a South African professor takes home $57,471 yearly, more than 13 times higher.

Professors in Kenya, earn $48,000 per annum, while Gabon professors earn $29,907, Seychelles, $13,950, and Ghanaian professors receive $12,960 yearly.

Soremekun noted that a lecturer’s job is unique and must be appreciated, because the situation lends itself to comparative dynamics.

“It is an international dimension in which comparisons can be made with the salaries of Nigerian lecturers and their counterparts abroad.

“When such comparisons are made, the push and pull factors can be very enormous. To this extent, the very good lecturers will migrate to other climes, and the Nigerian social formation will certainly be the worst for it,” he said.

Stanley Alaubi, a senior lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, emphasised that improved salary can affect learning outcome positively; because a happy lecture due to a better salary will give out his best to produce a better graduate.

Alaubi urges the government to ensure that the structure of lecturers’ salary is at par with the economic reality of the country.

“The purchasing power should actually be that which can take lecturers home, and a take home pay should actually take one home,” he said.

To address the issue, he said the federal government should abide by the 2009 agreement with ASUU.

Jessica Osuere, the chief executive officer at RubiesHub Educational Services, stressed the fact that poor remuneration de-motivates lecturers, increases brain drain and pushes lecturers into multiple jobs, which would reduce the time they have for teaching, research, mentoring, and feedback.

“This ultimately weakens instructional quality and students learning outcomes,” she noted.

Osuere said the core issue with lecturers’ salary structure is largely structural.

“We still run outdated salary frameworks, such as CONUASS, there’s weak funding of education, we are still battling with poor policy implementation, and lack of political priority for higher education,” she said.

She highlighted the need for regular review of salaries to reflect present economic realities.

“There is the need to link pay to performance and research output, the government should also improve funding for universities, and provide incentives such as research grants, training, housing, academic resources,” she stressed.

Nubi Achebo, director academic planning at Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM), disclosed that problem is rooted in public universities reliance on the government funding, which results in inadequate funding.

Besides, he decried the fact that education does not seem to be a priority in the government’s the budget allocation.

To mitigate this, Achebo advocates public-private partnerships, alumni support, and policy reforms.

“Collaborations, and engaging alumni in fundraising efforts can provide additional funding and resources,

“Besides, we need education policy changes and increased budget allocation,” he said.

Stakeholders believe that the quality of university education is closely tied to the welfare of those who deliver it.

Hence, without a competitive salary scheme for lecturers, Nigeria risks weakening the very foundation of its higher education system.

Business Day Credited

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Leaders from the South East extraction of Nigeria have been urged to urgently intervene to stop the ongoing disconnection of the South East passport production centre located in Enugu.

According to reports, passport production in the South East, situated at the Enugu State Zonal Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has been halted following an alleged directive from the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

It was gathered that the region’s only passport production centre may be shut down effective Friday, February 6, leaving applicants unable to access emergency passport services.

An official of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Enugu Branch, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, expressed sadness over the development. The source said a team of professionals allegedly sent from Abuja by the Minister of Interior arrived at the centre and have begun removing the passport production machines.

The source explained that with the removal of the machines, passports can no longer be issued or produced in the South East zone.

According to the source, “emergency passport processing, after the disconnection, will now take place in Abuja. This implies that applicants from Abia, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi, and Anambra states can no longer obtain passports on an emergency basis within the region.”

The source further warned that applicants who urgently need their passports may be unable to get them if nothing is done within the next 10 hours, worsening the situation for travellers with immediate needs.

However, as of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Nigeria Immigration Service or the Ministry of Interior on the matter.

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Four Rivers State University students were kidnapped in a midnight attack in Emohua; police have begun a coordinated manhunt.

Four students of the Rivers State University have been kidnapped from their campus in Rumuohia community, Emohua local government area of the State.

It was gathered that the yet to be identified gunmen shooting sporadically invaded the hostel of the students who are schooling at the extended campus of the University in Emohua, killed the security dog in the premises and whisked them away on Tuesday.

The kidnapped victims are Sampson Chimenum (Psychology Department 400 Level), Precious Onyebuchi (Political Science Department 400level), Azubuike Kenechukwu (Psychology Department 400level) and Prince Sampson.

A female student of the school who disclosed her name as Mariam, said students at the campus have suffered several cases of rape, robbery and other vices from hoodlums in the area.

She said despite presence of security agencies within the campus, the bandits continue to perpetrate such hideous act, while calling on the school management and State to come to their aide.

Mariam, a Social Science student of the University lamented “We have heard enough, the issues are very traumatising: alot of issues already experienced, there has been rape cases, robbery cases, despite the fact that there are security agencies strategically placed in this area, yet this issues keep happening.

“Today, few people broke into the house, they shot a security dog dead with automatic rifle and four boys were abducted. Three of the victims are in 400 level alongside a brother to one of the final year student.

“We heard that the Governor wants to move the students to the main campus but that has not happened yet, all we want now is to be moved back to Port Harcourt, the main campus”, she lamented.

Meanwhile, the State Police Command has confirmed the incident.

In a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko revealed “On December 2, 2025 at about 0230hrs, a group of suspected cultists, numbering about five, attacked an isolated area in Rumuche/Rumuohia Community, Emohua Local Government Area. The hoodlums shot and abducted five persons to an unknown destination.”

She said on receiving the report, the State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, and other service commanders of the State visited the scene of the incident for an on-the-spot assessment.

Iringe-Koko revealed further that the Cp has mandated the Area Commander alongside all tactical units, and Joint Tasksforce to intensify efforts, ensure the safe rescue of the abducted victims, and apprehend the perpetrators.

She also stated the CP assurance that all suspects involved would be brought to justice and made to face the full wrath of the law.

The police spokesperson however, urged members of the public to remain calm and continue to support the Police with credible information that will aid ongoing investigations.

Arise TV Credited

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The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a 51-year-old man, Emeka Emmanuel Nwangwu, for the alleged killing of his 19-year-old maternal cousin, Loveth Uloma Nwangwu.

The incident took [place at the Ibeku Opi Community in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State.

The arrest was carried out on December 1, 2025, by operatives of the Nsukka Urban Division with support from the local Neighbourhood Watch Group.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the suspect — a member of the Neighbourhood Security Watch Group — was apprehended at a pharmacy in Nsukka where the incident occurred.

Prior to the tragic development, the deceased had on November 28, 2025, reported a case of defilement, abuse, abduction, and threats to life against the suspect at Umabor Police Division. She alleged that she had lived with him since 2019, from the age of 13, following the death of his wife, and that he had isolated her from family and subjected her to prolonged sexual abuse.

While attempting to flee to her family home in Enugu-Ezike, Igbo-Eze North LGA, the victim reported that the suspect allegedly threatened her with a firearm and forced her back to his residence in Ibeku-Opi, Nsukka LGA, where she was locked in a room. She later escaped using a spare key and reported the matter to the police, who issued a medical report for examination.

The family and suspect were invited for questioning, during which he confessed to the allegations, pleaded for forgiveness, and promised to return her personal belongings. Due to family ties, relatives initially opted not to pursue prosecution, choosing instead to seek spiritual cleansing over what they described as an incestuous and abominable act.

The police said tragedy struck when the suspect confronted the young woman again while she was receiving medical attention at a pharmacy. An altercation ensued, during which she sustained critical injuries. She was rushed to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead. Her body has been deposited in the mortuary pending autopsy, while the suspect, who was immediately rearrested, remains in custody.

Condemning the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, described it as “cruel and deeply disturbing,” assuring that the Command would ensure justice is served.

 “This is a heart-breaking case, and the Command will pursue it diligently to ensure that justice is delivered,” the Commissioner said, consoling the bereaved family.

He directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (State CID) to “conduct a meticulous investigation and ensure the matter is charged to court without delay.”

SP Daniel Ndukwe reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to the safety of residents and urged the public to report domestic and gender-based abuses promptly, stressing that early intervention can prevent tragedies.

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The National Universities Commission (NUC) has expressed concern over what it described as the increasing misuse of honorary doctorate degrees by Nigerian universities.

This was disclosed by the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, during the presentation of the report of an investigation into the “awards and public misuse of Honorary Doctorate degree” in Abuja.

“In response to this disturbing trend, an investigation was carried out by the NUC to examine how these degrees are awarded and used across Nigeria. The findings are deeply concerning,” he said.

He revealed that 61 institutions and bodies are involved in the indiscriminate conferment of such degrees nationwide.

“The report of the investigation identified 32 institutions operating as honorary doctorate degree mills, including 10 unaccredited foreign universities, 4 unlicensed local universities, 15 professional bodies with no degree-awarding powers and 3 other non-degree awarding institutions. It’s even more alarming that some of these institutions go as far as awarding fake professorships,” he said.

He emphasized that the awarding of honorary degrees is a legal responsibility reserved for Nigerian universities, noting that the Education Act empowers the NUC to regulate both the award and use of such degrees. “Hence, the Commission is determined to guide the proper use of honorary degrees, regulate their awards as well as protect the sanctity of our university educational system,” he said.

Ribadu further warned that recipients must avoid using the title “Dr” as part of their names.

“The recipients of the awards are at liberty to use the nomenclature such as Doctor of Literature but must refrain from using the title ‘Dr’ which is the designation of PhD holders and medical personnel. Additionally, they are not permitted to use the honorary doctorate degree to practice as scholars or professionals, supervise research or oversee administrative units,” he said.

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…Ex Abia Gov Kalu Pays Tribute

By Amaechi Agbo

The Senator representing Enugu North senatorial District at the 10^th National Assembly, Sen. Okey Ezea, has passed away.

Popularly known as “Ideke”, the late senator was aged 62

The former governorship candidates in Enugu State died on Tuesday in the United Kingdom while receiving treatment.

Ezeah was elected under the Labour Party I the 2023 general elections and he is the only remaining member in the National Assembly from Enugu State.

It was gathered that Senator Ezea had earlier been treated in Germany.

The cause of his demise is unclear at press time.

Late Ezea contested as the candidate for Labour Party in the 2007 Enugu State gubernatorial election.

In 2013 Ezea co-founded part of the All Progressive Congress in Enugu and he became the candidate in 2015. In 2018, Ezea was appointed by Muhammadu Buhari as the Chairman of the governing board, Federal Medical Center in Jalingo, Taraba State, a position he held until he resigned in 2022 to join the Labour Party.

On 25 February 2023, Ezea was elected as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where he represents Enugu North Senatorial District.

Meanwhile, former Abia State governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has paid tribute to late Ezea.

Kalu described Ezea’s death as a painful blow and extended his condolences to the Senate President, Enugu State Governor and the family

“I received with profound shock and deep sorrow the heartbreaking news of the passing of my dear brother and colleague, Senator Okey Ezea ( IDEKE). His death is a painful blow that has left me personally devastated. Senator Ezea was more than a fellow legislator; he was a friend with whom I shared a close and sincere bond. Our friendship was built on mutual respect, brotherhood, and genuine affection.

“Our relationship extended far beyond the chambers of the Senate. With shared Catholic faith , we often celebrated Mass in the same Catholic chapel, lifting our voices to God in fellowship and reflection. Those quiet moments of prayer and spiritual communion remain etched in my heart. Senator Ezea was a man of humility, integrity, and steadfast faith. His devotion to God and his passion for service defined him in every sense.

“To the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, I extend my heartfelt condolences. The Senate has lost a principled voice, one who contributed with clarity, courage, and unshakable conviction. His absence will be deeply felt within our legislative family.

“I also console the Governor of Enugu state , Barrister Peter Mbah, and people of Enugu State, particularly the vibrant and dignified Nsukka community. Senator Ezea served you with pride, dedication, and an unbreakable commitment to your wellbeing. His death is a profound loss not just to Nsukka, but to our nation.

“To his immediate family, I pray that God grants you strength and comfort during this painful period. Your husband, father, brother, and son was a noble man whose legacy of service and faith will continue to shine.

“As I mourn my dear brother, I take solace in knowing he lived honorably and touched countless lives. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace” he said. .

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