Education

JAMB: NASU, ASCSN backs proposed increase in staff feeding allocation

Published

9 months ago

January 20, 2025

Mariam Sanni

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), labour union, the National Association of Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), have thrown their full weight behind the proposed increase in allocation for staff feeding in the 2025 budget, saying the move is key to improve the level of productivity in the Board.

The unions clarified the rationale behind the N1.1 billion proposed in the 2025 budget for the feeding scheme, countering recent misrepresentations about the figure.

They noted that the plan includes expanding free lunch provision, previously exclusive to the headquarters, to over 2,300 staff across JAMB’s 44 offices nationwide.

Speaking during a health walk organized by JAMB to kickstart its 2025 activities in Abuja at the weekend, NASU JAMB Chapter Chairman, Andrew Onakpa, commended the Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, for prioritizing staff welfare.

“Efforts by the Registrar to address staff welfare are humane and should not be discouraged,” he said.

While saying improved feeding scheme will enhance the performance of staff, Onakpa said the union pushed for the inclusion of other JAMB offices, adding that they were even part of the negotiations with the vendors, ensuring transparency in the process.

“We have over 2,300 staff in more than 44 offices nationwide. When you calculate the cost of feeding across all working days in a year, the figure is understandably significant. It’s not about mismanagement; it’s about improving welfare,” he said.

He expressed concern over the backlash from the National Assembly during JAMB’s recent budget defence, warning it could jeopardize these initiatives.

Onakpa described the Registrar as “a man of high calibre” and urged him to maintain his commitment to improving staff welfare despite criticism.

On his part, ASCSN JAMB Branch Chairman, Ebenezer Ayalibola, echoed Onakpa’s sentiments, emphasizing that the welfare committee meticulously calculated the feeding budget.

“This includes staff in outstations. If you multiply the agreed amount per staff per day across 12 months, the figure will naturally add up to N1.1 billion. This was a collective decision by the welfare committee, not the Registrar acting alone,” Ayalibola said.

Addressing the N850 million reportedly proposed for fumigation, Ayalibola explained that the figure encompasses all cleaning services, fumigation, and security across JAMB’s offices nationwide.

“As for the fumigation, that money was not for just fumigation alone but along with all cleaning services and security for a year at all our offices nationwide too.

” The aggregate of all the salaries for our contractors who do all the services is what constituted that N850 million.

“These costs include the salaries of contractors providing these essential services,” he clarified.

Ayalibola noted that these welfare measures are part of JAMB’s Condition of Service, which is periodically reviewed and subject to National Assembly approval.

Recall that JAMB had during a budget defence exercise in the National Assembly last week presented a proposal for an increase of staff feeding in 2025 to N1.1 billion.

The cost of the feeding was prompted by rise in cost of meal from N1, 200 per day to N2,200 due to rising food prices as well as the expansion of the scheme to cover 2,300 staff members throughout the working days in 2025.

The cost was projected to be N1.27 billion but JAMB budgeted N1.1 billion for this purpose.

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Education

Inclusive Education Boost as Deaf-Tech, Federal University of Lafia Roll Out Master’s in Disability Studies

Published

1 week ago

September 26, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

In a major step toward advancing inclusive education in Nigeria, Deaf-in-Tech, an initiative of Data-Lead Africa, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA) to establish a Professional Master’s Degree in Disability Studies.

The signing ceremony, held at Deaf-in-Tech’s headquarters in Abuja, featured a goodwill message from Prof. Adaka Terfa Ahon, Director of the Centre for Disability Studies, who represented FULAFIA’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shehu Abdul Rahman. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to championing disability and inclusion in its academic innovation and planning.

The new Master’s programme will adopt a hybrid learning model, with online classes complemented by in-person sessions at Deaf-in-Tech’s training facility in Abuja. It is designed to build expertise in disability-inclusive governance, education, and development across sectors.

Executive Director of Deaf-in-Tech and Co-Founder of Data-Lead Africa, Dr. Arowolo Ayoola, described the collaboration as a “structural shift” in how institutions and professionals engage with disability issues. “The inclusion journey must begin with knowledge, and we are proud to partner with a progressive university like FULAFIA,” he said.

Beyond the postgraduate programme, the partnership will also establish a Deaf-in-Tech Club on FULAFIA’s campus — the first of its kind — to empower Deaf students with technology skills, mentorship, and innovation opportunities. Additional initiatives include a ₦1 million academic excellence reward for any Deaf student who graduates with a First Class, as well as the development of a disability-accessible website and digital database for the Centre for Disability Studies, built to WCAG 2.1 global accessibility standards.

The alliance underscores both institutions’ commitment to building inclusive systems and celebrating excellence, while positioning Deaf-in-Tech as a catalyst for bridging the gap between disability and the digital economy.

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