Education - Abia ThinkTank News

Jan

2026

NELFUND To Clear N928 Million Arrears Owed To Over 11,000 Students

NELFUND To Clear N928 Million Arrears Owed To Over 11,000 Students Mustapha Iyal, the executive director of operations at the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), says all students owed arrears under the scheme will soon receive their payments. Speaking in a recent interview on Arise News, Iyal clarified that over 11,000 students are experiencing the delay, totalling about N927.98 million. He said the delay was caused by technical and operational issues, adding that plans are on for an expansion in the 2026–2027 academic session. Iyal said the backlog of applicants increased due to various issues, including the application process or…

Jan

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

Seven-Day Ultimatum, Rapid Engagement As Teachers’ Welfare Is Top Agenda – By Prof Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Education, Good Governance

Seven-Day Ultimatum, Rapid Engagement as Teachers' Welfare is Top Agenda While friends, colleagues, party faithfuls, movement activists and commentators exchange volleys with Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and other anti-Otti disinformation factories, Governor Alex Chioma Otti has been visibly preoccupied with a more urgent matter: the welfare of Abia teachers. This week, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Abia State, led by Comrade Kingsley Mmadu and Comrade Nnenna Okonkwo, formally issued a seven-day ultimatum over unpaid salary arrears, promotion bottlenecks and payroll irregularities, a development widely reported by The Eagle Online (https://theeagleonline.com.ng/strike-abia-teachers-issue-seven-day-ultimatum-over-unpaid-salaries-welfare-gaps/). Rather than deflect or dismiss the concerns, the issue…

Jan

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

‘Nyash’, ‘Abeg’, ‘Ghana Must Go’, ‘Biko’ Make History As Oxford Dictionary Adds 24 Nigerian Words

Education, International, News Flash

‘Nyash’, ‘Abeg’, ‘Ghana Must Go’, ‘Biko’ Make History As Oxford Dictionary Adds 24 Nigerian Words The global recognition of Nigerian culture has taken another remarkable leap as the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) officially adds 24 Nigerian and West African words and expressions to its ever-expanding lexicon. This milestone reflects the growing influence of Nigerian English, Pidgin, and indigenous expressions in global communication, pop culture, literature, and digital spaces. Nigeria’s Linguistic Influence Goes GlobalIn a statement cited by PREMIUM TIMES, the OED confirmed that the newly added words originate mainly from Nigeria and Ghana, the two largest English-speaking nations in West…

Jan

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

Condition Of Abia State Schools: Laughable, Myopic And Sadistic Analysis – By Prof Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Education

LAUGHABLE. MYOPIC. SADISTIC. What you call “analysis” is really a tired social-media trope built on exaggeration, selective blindness, and deliberate amnesia.First, the hypocrisy. You praise Peter Mbah and Charles Soludo as “quiet performers” while dismissing Alex Chioma Otti as a “social media governor.” Yet you ignore the obvious philosophical flaw: visibility is not noise, and documentation is not propaganda. A government that publishes what it is doing is not weaker than one that communicates less; it is simply more exposed to scrutiny. Serious governance welcomes exposure.Second, the intellectual dishonesty. You assert that “almost ₦100bn was spent on schools and no…

Dec

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Season’s Greetings To My Boss, Our Esteemed Rector, (Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic), Family And Management Team – By Dr. Kalu O. Fijoh

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Education

SEASON’S GREETINGS TO MY BOSS, OUR ESTEEMED RECTOR, [OGBONNAYA ONU POLYTECHNIC], FAMILY AND MANAGEMENT TEAMMy Dear Engr. Dr. C. K. Okoro,As we embrace the joy and blessings of this festive season, I want to take a moment to express my deepest appreciation for your exceptional leadership, guidance, and unwavering commitment to the growth and success of our institution. Your vision and dedication continue to inspire us all to give our best in service to the institution.I also extend my warmest wishes to your family, praying that this season brings you all peace, good health, and abundant joy. May the new…

Dec

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

How Governor Otti Is Institutionalizing Technology In Abia Civil Service – By Ebere Uzoukwa Ph.D (SSA To Governor Otti On Public Affairs)

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Education, Good Governance

How Governor Otti is Institutionalizing Technology in Abia Civil Service By Ebere Uzoukwa, PhD Governor Alex Chioma Otti’s administration is steadily redefining public service delivery in Abia State by deliberately institutionalizing technology within the civil service. This strategy goes beyond the adoption of digital tools; it reflects a comprehensive governance philosophy that places human capital development, meritocracy, and technological innovation at the core of state administration. The recent automatic employment of 50 outstanding graduates of TechRise Cohort 2 into relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the Abia State Civil Service is a practical demonstration of this vision in action. At…

Dec

2025

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APC Chieftain Hon. Mba Imo Bags Honorary Doctoral Degree From Evangel University, USA

Education, News Flash, People & Events, Personality

Dec

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

ASUU Backs Down On Strike, Agrees To 40% Salary Increase

Education, News Flash

ASUU Backs Down On Strike, Agrees To 40% Salary Increase The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has softened its stance in the prolonged wage dispute with the Federal Government, agreeing to a 40 per cent salary increase, a development that may finally close months of drawn-out negotiations and avert fresh industrial action across public universities. ASUU had earlier rejected a 35 per cent pay rise, maintaining that the offer fell short of expectations. But at the final negotiation session with the government panel chaired by Yayale Ahmed in Abuja, union representatives were informed that 40 per cent was the…

Nov

2025

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Nigerian Student Uche Okirie Stabbed To Death By Neighbour In UK

Crime, Education, Foreign Affairs

Nigerian Student Uche Okirie Stabbed To Death By Neighbour In UK Uche Okirie, a UK-based Nigerian student, was stabbed to death in the early hours of Saturday by a Congolese suspect, a report by the Norfolk police has confirmed. Colleagues of Mr Okirie told Peoples Gazette they had identified him but were struggling to reach his family in Nigeria. The Norfolk police also appealed to UK residents with useful information to contact them on 101, citing incident number 51 of Saturday, November 22, 2025. Mr Okirie, a student of the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England, was stabbed in…

Nov

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Unical’s Cyril Ndifon Jailed Five Years For Sexual Harassment

Crime, Education, Judiciary, News Flash

UNICAL’s Cyril Ndifon Jailed Five Years For S3xual Harassment Cyril Ndifon, suspended law faculty dean at University of Calabar (UNICAL), has been sentenced to five years imprisonment without an option of fine. James Omotosho, the presiding judge in the case, handed down the sentence at the federal high court in Abuja on Monday. In 2023, Ndifon was removed as a UNICAL dean over alleged abuse of office and sexual harassment, with female students as victims. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had charged Ndifon alongside his co-defendant, Sunny Anyanwu. Counts one and two, of four, accused…