Education
UniAbuja Awards Doctoral Degrees To Diplomat, 4 Others
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.
Education
Inclusive Education Boost as Deaf-Tech, Federal University of Lafia Roll Out Master’s in Disability Studies
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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