Education News Today, 11 November 2026: NOUN Scraps Application Fees, KASU Strike, NELFUND Roadshow
Last updated: 11 November 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Morning roundup · Wednesday, 11 November 2026 · By Ade Adeniyi, Founder and Editor
Applying to the National Open University is now free, a state university has been shut by a strike despite a court order, and the government wants Unity College principals to treat security as part of the job. Here is the education news from the past day or two.
Today at a glance
- NOUN scraps application fees for undergraduate, PGD and master’s programmes from the 2027_1 intake.
- Non-teaching staff at Kaduna State University begin a seven-day warning strike despite an industrial court order.
- NELFUND takes its student loan “Roadshow” to 34 ministries and to military, police and immigration barracks.
- FG tells principals of 117 Unity Colleges to update security plans and run two emergency drills a session.
- UNIUYO to graduate 22,961 students on Saturday; eight professors bid for the UNIJOS top job.
- Admissions and scholarships: TKA Foundation offers 50 awards; Federal Polytechnic Ugep’s new courses are on CAPS.
1. NOUN abolishes application fees
What happened
The Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, announced after the university’s management meeting on Tuesday, 10 November, that prospective students will no longer pay application fees for undergraduate, postgraduate diploma and master’s programmes. The policy starts with the 2027_1 admission exercise. NOUN, which matriculated 23,885 new students this week, said the move is meant to remove barriers to university education.
Why it matters
For workers, mothers, people outside big cities and those who missed out on conventional admission, NOUN is often the most realistic route to a degree. Removing the entry fee lowers the cost of trying. Other fees (registration and course fees) still apply, so check the official NOUN portal before you apply. This was reported by one outlet at the time of writing, so treat details as subject to the university’s formal notice.
Source: Daily Struggle; Peoples Gazette (matriculation figure).
2. KASU shut as non-teaching unions strike despite court order
What happened
The Joint Action Committee of SSANU, NASU and NAAT at Kaduna State University began a seven-day warning strike at midnight on 10 November, running until 17 November, even though the National Industrial Court had issued an interim order restraining industrial action. The unions say the Kaduna State Government ignored a seven-day ultimatum that expired on 8 November. They want full implementation of the 2026 federal agreement for non-teaching staff, including a 25% pay rise, arrears, promotion arrears, group life insurance and minimum wage adjustments. Staff on essential services are exempt. The state government had not publicly responded to the strike at the time of writing.
Why it matters
Students lose a week of services, from libraries to labs and administration. Defying a court order also raises the stakes, and the dispute could spread to other state universities that have not implemented the federal agreement.
Source: Daily Post; MySchoolGist.
3. NELFUND goes to ministries and barracks
What happened
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has started a sensitisation campaign it calls the “Roadshow”, visiting 34 federal ministries, departments and agencies before moving on to military, police and immigration barracks. SERVICOM director Olusola Fowobaje, speaking at the Ministry of Regional Development in Abuja, said the loan pays approved school fees directly and gives eligible students ₦20,000 a month for upkeep. He said taking the loan does not stop anyone from travelling or expose them to arrest, and that applicants do not need connections to get it.
Why it matters
Many parents in uniformed services and the civil service still believe myths about the scheme. Clear information directly from the fund can help students in public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education stay in school.
4. Unity College principals told to step up school security
What happened
Opening the five-day annual meeting of principals of the 117 Federal Unity Colleges in Abuja, Dr Folake Olatunji-David of the Federal Ministry of Education described principals as the chief security officers of their schools. She urged tighter access control, early-warning systems, closer ties with host communities and security agencies, counselling for affected students, and online or offline learning backups. The commander of the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre, ACG Umanah Anedi, asked every school to update its safety plan this term, appoint and train safety focal persons, and hold at least two emergency drills per session. A WAEC official at the meeting also asked principals to record SS1 and SS2 continuous assessment scores accurately and noted that eligible candidates can now get digital certificates within two to three weeks of results.
Why it matters
Parents with children in boarding schools will want to know their school has a written, tested safety plan. It is a fair question to raise at your next PTA meeting.
Source: THEWILL; Independent Newspaper Nigeria.
5. Universities: UNIUYO’s big convocation, UNIJOS VC race
What happened
The University of Uyo will graduate 22,961 students, 214 of them with first-class degrees, at its combined 31st and 32nd convocation on Saturday, 14 November, at its Nwaniba permanent site. The university says it has also returned undergraduate and Direct Entry admissions to faculties and departments after training 184 deans and heads of department, a step it says will reduce admission racketeering. In Plateau State, eight professors are competing to become Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos; seven presented their plans at a session organised by ASUU and the university’s Advancement Office on Monday.
Why it matters
Open VC selection forums give staff and students a say in who runs their university, and changes to how admissions are handled affect next year’s applicants directly.
Source: Blueprint; New National Star; Tori News.
6. Admissions and scholarships to note
What happened
The TKA Solid Foundation Scholarship is offering 50 awards to students seeking admission to Nigerian public universities and polytechnics in 2027. Applicants must have WAEC or equivalent results, be registered or planning to register for the 2027 UTME, and be able to sit a screening test in Lagos on 13 March 2027. Applications close on 20 December 2026. Separately, Federal Polytechnic Ugep in Cross River State says its newly accredited ND and HND programmes are now on JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System, so candidates can switch to them through a change of institution or course.
Why it matters
Applying early for scholarships tied to the 2027 UTME can cover fees before you even get admission. If you are still choosing a course, our guide to the best universities for computer science, with cut-off marks and fees may help.
Source: After School Africa; MySchoolGist.
What to watch next
- 14 November: UNIUYO convocation.
- 17 November: End of the KASU warning strike; watch for talks or an extension.
- 30 November: Higher UK student visa maintenance amounts apply to applications from this date. See our UK Graduate Route guide for what comes after your degree.
- 20 December: TKA Solid Foundation Scholarship closes.
- 15 to 25 March 2027: Planned UTME window under the harmonised exam timetable; JAMB has not yet opened registration.
Frequently asked questions
Is it now free to apply to NOUN?
NOUN’s Vice-Chancellor says application fees are abolished for undergraduate, PGD and master’s programmes from the 2027_1 admission exercise. Registration and course fees still apply.
How much upkeep does the NELFUND student loan pay?
Eligible students receive ₦20,000 a month, while approved school fees are paid directly to the institution.
When will 2027 JAMB registration start?
JAMB has not announced a start date. The Ministry of Education’s harmonised timetable places the 2027 UTME between 15 and 25 March 2027.
This roundup summarises reporting by the outlets credited under each story, in our own words. Follow Naijatipsland Updates on WhatsApp for the next edition. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it under our editorial policy.
