Education

UniAbuja Awards Doctoral Degrees To Diplomat, 4 Others

Published

2 months ago

September 20, 2025

A diplomat and senior public servants were among five students who earned Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Public Governance and Leadership, Policy and Strategic Studies at the Abuja Leadership Centre (ALC), Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja, on Friday.

According to Professor Philip Dahida, the Director of the Centre, the academic achievements were awarded after the candidates successfully met all requirements, including the defense of their theses on September 19, 2025.

Recipients of the Doctoral Degree in Public Governance and Leadership include the Head of Peace Support Operations, ECOWAS Commission, Muhammad Sani Adamu; Assistant Director at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Orifunmishe Anthonia Ezinwa; Eze Uchechukwu John (Fnim); and Unoiza Maryam Onido.

While former Commissioner at the National Pension Commission, Nyerere Chinenye Anyim, also received a Doctoral Degree in Policy and Strategic Studies.

Speaking after the event, the Director of the Centre, Professor Philip Dahida, congratulated and commended the doctoral awardees for demonstrating capacity and their dexterity in carrying out their respective research work.

Professor Dahida applauded the university’s Postgraduate School and the external examiner, Professor Samuel Afolabi of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, for thorough examination of the doctoral candidates and high-level professionalism, while thanking all academic and non-academic staff of the university for their efforts.

He reassured the Centre’s resolve to continue producing excellent and quality Master’s and PhD graduates, while tasking all the awardees to ensure they apply the knowledge gained to the betterment of the Nigerian society. As well, he urged them to be good ambassadors of the Centre and the University.

“I want to congratulate you all for going through this academic exercise. I’m particularly excited for your demonstration of capacity and resilience in researching and defending your thesis. I must commend you for the show of dexterity in your various research; well done again.

“We greatly commend the external examiner, Professor Afolabi, for taking time to assess the candidates, as well as other academic and non-academic staff supporting the Abuja Leadership Centre. We are also grateful to the Dean of the Postgraduate School.

“Let me reassure you that the Abuja Leadership Centre stands for excellence and will continue to maintain the standard in a bid to provide the necessary knowledge for citizens on leadership, governance and policies that can move the nation forward. We urge you all to be good ambassadors of the Centre and the University – we can’t stop emphasizing this point,” Professor Dahida stressed.

In his response, former Commissioner at the National Pension Commission, Nyerere Chinenye Anyim, praised the university for providing the avenue for improving his education, noting that his doctoral research will help clear the misconceptions around pension funds in Nigeria and provide citizens with a deeper understanding of the workings of pension funds.

Nyerere decried the challenges associated with the misapplication of pension policies in Nigeria and their effect on the growth of the nation, disclosing that his doctoral thesis will help pensioners know their rights.

“My thesis topic has to do with pension, governance, or the governance of pension in Nigeria for the pensioners and retirees.

“With this work, people will be able to know and have a very different view because there is a lot of misconception about pensions in Nigeria; they will be able to have in-depth knowledge about pension governance in Nigeria, particularly from 2014 to 2024.

“Not only in Nigeria, but world over, misapplication or challenges of pension policies affect the common man on the street. That is why you come to Nigeria, you see people protesting, ‘I’ve not been paid my pension’, ‘I’ve worked, I’ve not been paid’.

“So these are the things my research work has tried to address, and once people are oriented with this policy formulation and then the pensioners know their rights and the people are told the realities of the situation on the ground, things will take a different dimension.

“The success of this academic milestone is to the glory of God. However, one thing people need to know about the Abuja Leadership Centre is that postgraduate students get quality and valued training. That is why I’m happy for my exposure and experience at the Centre,” Nyerere averred.

Other academicians present at the event include Professor Saleh Dauda, Professor Adewale Banjo, Dr. Success Ademeso, Dr. Eze Ukauwa, and Dr. N.O. Isana, Dr. Tunde Akande, and Dr. Adeyanju T. Peter.

The Abuja Leadership Centre at the University of Abuja is a TETFUND Centre of Excellence for Public Governance and Leadership, dedicated to enhancing public governance and leadership both in Nigeria and beyond.

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Education

Onyechi Vows to Advance Educational Reforms as She Joins Nigerian Academy of Education

Published

4 days ago

November 12, 2025

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

Professor Kay Onyechi, a Professor of Guidance and Counseling at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has pledged to intensify efforts toward educational reform following her induction into the Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE).

Onyechi, a former Commissioner for Education in Anambra State, described the recognition as a motivation to deepen her contributions to national development through research, mentorship, and advocacy for inclusive learning.

“This honour inspires me to do more. I’m already considering setting up a foundation to support indigent students with school materials, accommodation, and access to quality education,” she said.

The renowned educationist, who served under the administration of former Governor Peter Obi, said her long-standing passion for education stems from its role in capacity building and social transformation. She noted that her years in academia and public service have strengthened her resolve to promote equitable learning opportunities for all Nigerian children.

According to her, the recognition by the NAE is not merely a personal milestone but a call to greater service in advancing educational reforms and mentoring the next generation of scholars.

Meanwhile, President of the Academy, Professor Kabiru Isyaku, used the occasion of the NAE’s 40th Anniversary celebration and induction of 38 new academics to call for the declaration of a state of emergency in the nation’s education sector.

Isyaku stressed the need for an urgent review of the National Policy on Education, last revised over a decade ago. He said the review should address critical issues such as the constitutional status of education, funding, curriculum relevance, evaluation, and certification.

He decried the high number of unqualified personnel teaching in schools while many trained teachers remain unemployed, adding that the situation undermines professionalism and weakens quality.

“It is discouraging to see schools filled with non-teachers while qualified educators are jobless. Quality assurance and supervisory agencies must enforce standards to ensure only qualified personnel are employed,” he said.

Isyaku also urged the Federal Government to constitute governing boards and councils for parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Education, noting that their absence hinders effective policy implementation and accountability.

The Nigerian Academy of Education, established four decades ago, is the apex professional body for distinguished educationists in the country. It comprises eminent scholars and administrators, including former ministers, vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, and directors of education.

The Academy’s mission is to advise on policies that enhance educational quality at all levels, conduct research on emerging issues, and promote excellence in teaching, learning, and administration.

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