By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has fixed 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for admission into Nigerian universities for the 2026 academic session.

The decision was reached on Monday during the ongoing 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions, held in Abuja. The annual policy meeting, which brings together key education stakeholders, was chaired by the Minister of Education, Tuniji Alausa.

In addition to university representatives, the gathering included heads of other tertiary institutions and regulatory bodies, all of whom deliberated on benchmarks to ensure a fair and standardized admission process for the upcoming academic year.

The 150 mark serves as the baseline for eligibility, though individual universities retain the right to set higher cut-off points based on their specific admission criteria and applicant pool.

Further resolutions from the policy meeting are expected to be released in the coming days.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Central Bank of Nigeria has warned non-interest financial institutions against governance and compliance risks capable of undermining public confidence and financial stability in the country’s growing Islamic finance sector.

The warning was contained in a statement issued by the apex bank on Monday following the 2nd Annual Interactive Session between the CBN Financial Regulation Advisory Council of Experts and the Advisory Committees of Experts of Non-Interest Financial Institutions held at the CBN Auditorium in Abuja.

Speaking through the Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Rita Sike, the Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Philip Ikeazor, said the rapid expansion of the industry had increased exposure to operational and regulatory vulnerabilities.

The statement read, “The Deputy Governor, however, observed that as the industry grows in size, sophistication, and interconnectedness, it faces unique risks, particularly non-compliance risk, governance challenges, operational vulnerabilities, and emerging technological risks.

“He warned that such risks, if not properly managed, could undermine public confidence, financial stability, and the overall credibility of the non-interest finance ecosystem.”

According to the CBN, the engagement was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Shariah governance, improve regulatory clarity, and reinforce risk management standards within the non-interest financial services industry.

The apex bank noted that non-interest financial institutions continued to play an increasingly important role in Nigeria’s financial system by providing ethical and Shariah-compliant alternatives to conventional banking.

It stated that the institutions were also contributing to financial inclusion, real sector financing, micro, small and medium enterprises development, and shared prosperity.

The CBN further explained that the establishment of FRACE and the mandatory constitution of ACEs across all non-interest financial institutions were designed to institutionalise a harmonised governance framework for the sector.

According to the statement, sustained interaction between FRACE and ACEs remained critical to ensuring that regulatory expectations were properly understood and consistently implemented across the industry.

“The objectives of today’s session include fostering the institutionalisation and effective operation of a robust Shariah governance system within Non-Interest Financial Institutions, and providing a structured platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration,” Ikeazor was quoted in the statement.

In his remarks, the Deputy Chairman of FRACE, Prof. Bashir Umar, said the interactive session was aimed at strengthening governance within the non-interest finance sub-sector and promoting constructive engagement between regulators and industry advisory committees.

He also commended the management of the CBN for reviving the session, which was first introduced in 2014.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, Sike reaffirmed the apex bank’s commitment to building a strong and well-governed non-interest financial services industry.

She noted that the growing diversity of products and delivery channels, particularly the emergence of Islamic fintech, had increased the need for stronger regulatory oversight and continuous engagement among industry stakeholders.

“The growing diversity of products, institutions, and delivery channels, particularly with the emergence of Islamic fintech, underscores the need for continuous dialogue, sound regulatory oversight, and robust advisory input from scholars and practitioners,” she said.

The session featured technical presentations on Shariah non-compliance risks in non-interest banks and the role of Islamic fintech in driving financial inclusion.

Participants at the event included members of FRACE, chairmen and members of various ACEs, managing directors of non-interest banks, senior CBN officials, and representatives of the Bank of Industry and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The fragile truce between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) appears to be unravelling. The union has issued a strong warning of a potential confrontation, accusing both federal and state authorities of a “flawed and partial” implementation of their December 2025 agreement.

The resolution followed ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held at Modibbo Adama University in Yola.

In a statement issued after the meeting, ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, expressed deep concern over what he described as the government’s reluctance to resolve several lingering disputes. These include the prolonged withholding of three and a half months of salaries, unpaid promotion arrears, salary shortfalls linked to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), unremitted third-party deductions, and outstanding arrears from the 25–35 per cent wage award.

Prof. Piwuna warned that the growing frustration among university lecturers—stemming from what he termed the government’s seeming indifference to their welfare—is fuelling pent-up anger that could erupt into a new wave of industrial unrest if left unaddressed.

“The union appeals to all genuine patriots, well-meaning Nigerians, and lovers of Nigeria to prevail on state and federal governments to fully implement the new agreement and resolve all outstanding issues in the interest of parents, students, and the nation at large,” Prof. Piwuna said.

He added, “Our union’s doors remain open for working with government to realise all our demands. At the same time, NEC has directed that an emergency meeting be convened in the next few weeks to review the situation and take appropriate action as may be necessary.”

The current tension was not unforeseen. In March 2025, reports had suggested that the relative peace in public universities could be short-lived unless a renegotiated agreement with the government was fully implemented.

That landmark accord, which stakeholders had hoped would end the 16-year deadlock over the original 2009 agreement, was scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. Key provisions included a 40 per cent salary increase for lecturers, improved pension benefits, and overhauled, duty-based Earned Academic Allowances aimed at fostering stability and reducing strike actions.

However, five months after the implementation date, full compliance remains elusive. While some universities have reportedly implemented aspects of the agreement, the Federal Government has yet to follow suit, raising the spectre of renewed nationwide university closures.