Bye February.
Policies, funding, electricity, tech and many more.
What's up guyyyy?
It’s been a lot this week across Nigerian campuses. From policy wins and funding wahala to trends and social media drama, here’s everything you need to know.
ASUU Welfare Breakthrough
After years of back-and-forth, the Federal Government has begun implementing parts of a new 2026 agreement with ASUU, replacing the 2009 deal.
What changed?
40% salary increase for lecturers
Revised salary structure
Improved welfare conditions
Better lecturer welfare = fewer strikes + more stable academic calendars. Hopefully.
Electric Campus Shuttles
To reduce transport stress, 240 electric tricycles and 12 solar charging stations were distributed across 12 universities.
Expected impact:
Campus transport costs could drop by up to 70%.
Yes please.
Honorary Degree Clampdown
The NUC banned universities from:
Awarding honorary degrees to themselves
Giving honorary degrees to serving politicians
Why it matters:
This is a big step against “money-for-degree” culture and academic embarrassment.
Ekiti State University’s 14-Year Electricity Crisis
Social media exploded this week after claims that Ekiti State University (EKSU) has reportedly not had stable electricity for over 14 years.
Students say campus life has normalized darkness, generators, and power banks. Even the Vice Chancellor's office has just recently installed solar.
Online outrage forced public explanations and renewed calls for government intervention.
This is a painful snapshot of how broken campus infrastructure has become and why students constantly complain about fees vs reality.
Funding Crisis in Old Universities
While 13 new universities were approved recently, existing ones are seriously underfunded.
2026 capital allocations:
University of Ibadan: 3.85%
University of Benin: 7.79%
Reality check:
New schools are rising, but old ones are barely surviving.
Enugu Hackathon: Students Building Solutions with Tech
At the Enugu Hackathon, students showcased powerful innovations, including:
A 20-year-old UNN student building tech solutions to address the farmer–herder crisis
Four 400-level UNN students developing plant-based menstrual pads as a sustainable alternative
Why it matters:
Even inside broken systems, Nigerian students are still building, innovating, and solving real problems.
Free JAMB for 50,000 Students
The government approved free UTME registration for 50,000 indigent students in the South-East, covering the full ₦8,500 fee.
Relief for beneficiaries, but many are asking why it’s regional instead of nationwide.
That’s your campus roundup for the week.
Wanna spill campus tea with our Room8s? Join our 10.8.8 WhatsApp community and get all the gist as it happens👇
Catch up with previous publications on What's Up by 10.8.8 Africa.
Until next gist,
Gbemi from 10.8.8 Africa