CampusDialog

How to Rebuild After Admitting You've Been Lying to Yourself in School Admitting you've been lying to yourself is brutal. It feels like waking up and realizing you've been driving in the wrong direction for years. But here's the truth most people won't tell you: that moment of brutal honesty is the fastest way to change your trajectory. The students who make it out strong aren't the ones who never messed up. They're the ones who stopped lying early enough to fix it. If you've just admitted to yourself that you've been coasting, hiding, or making excuses for three years, here's how to rebuild: 1. Stop mourning the time you lost You can't get your 300-level years back. And staying stuck in regret keeps you stuck. The question isn't, "Why didn't I do this earlier?" The question is, "What do I do now that I know?" Every successful comeback starts the moment you stop rehearsing the past and start working on the next 12 ...

  The Lies Students Tell Themselves That Lead to Devastating Career Consequences University should be a place where you confront reality. But for most Nigerian students, it becomes the place where self-deception is perfected. We don’t lie to lecturers or parents as much as we lie to ourselves. And those lies don’t stay in the hostel. They follow us into NYSC, job interviews, and even into our 30s, quietly wrecking careers before they truly begin. Here’s how it plays out on campuses every day: 1. “My parents are rich” - when you’re ashamed of your background Pride keeps students from accessing help, scholarships, work-study programmes, and honest conversations about money. So, you keep up appearances, skip opportunities, and graduate broke and bitter. Truth: No one respects you more for pretending. They respect you for building. Get over the shame and use the resources available. 2. “I don’t date broke guys” - when nobody is dating you This isn’t about standards. It’s about using s...

  Every university wants to produce graduates who can think, create, and compete globally. But good intentions alone do not move the needle. What drives improvement is measuring what matters, fixing what is broken, and holding people accountable for results. That is where Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) come in. For too long, service delivery in many higher institutions has been treated as an afterthought. Lecturers arrive late for classes, administrative processes drag on for months, student complaints disappear into thin air, and "excellence" becomes a word printed on banners rather than a lived experience. KPIs change that by turning vague goals into measurable targets. Here is how they can work: 1. KPIs Make Teaching and Learning Measurable Academic excellence starts in the classroom. KPIs can track lecture delivery rates, student attendance, timely submission of results, and course review cycles. When departments know they will be evaluated based on how quickly results...

  Every semester, the same message goes out on student WhatsApp groups: “Results not ready. Portal under maintenance. Check back next month.” Students wait. Parents call. NYSC mobilization is delayed. Some miss job deadlines and scholarship opportunities. By the time results are finally released, the story has moved on. The delay is blamed on “heavy workload,” “server issues,” or “waiting for external examiners.” But across many federal and state universities, a different pattern is emerging. Where departments still run results manually using paper scripts, handwritten collation sheets, and one person's desk delays are routine. Where digital systems with audit trails have been introduced, the same universities release results within 14 to 21 days. The problem is not that university staff cannot use computers. Most administrative officers under 50 use smartphones daily. The problem is that computers leave a record. 1. The Official Story vs. the Data Walk into any university registry...

  Nigeria’s Youths No Longer Believe in Education - What a National Tragedy Where are we heading as a country when many young people no longer believe in education? In today’s Nigeria, the dangerous mentality that “education is a scam” is spreading rapidly among the youth. Instead of focusing on learning and building a future through hard work, many now believe that quick money through internet fraud and other criminal activities is the easiest path to success. This is a painful reflection of a nation struggling in almost every sector. Many young people ask themselves: Why spend years in school when there are no jobs after graduation? It is a heartbreaking situation that points directly to leadership failure in Nigeria. The crisis has become so severe that some parents now encourage their children to engage in internet fraud. Some even buy laptops for them or pay for training centers where cybercrime is taught. What a shameful and dangerous direction for a nation. A country is tru...

  When students say “education is a scam,” they’re rarely talking about lectures. They’re talking about the lecturer who doesn’t show up for 8 weeks, the HOD who makes you pay money to sign a form, or the admin staff member who loses your result and tells you to “come back next semester.” That’s the real rot eating Nigerian universities from the inside. And it’s doing more damage than poor funding ever could. 1. How Poor Staff Attitude Breaks the System Standards don’t collapse because of one big policy failure. They collapse because of a thousand small daily betrayals: Lecturers who treat teaching as a side hustle : They come late, read outdated slides, cancel classes without notice, then rush a 2-hour exam on material they never taught. Administrative staff who monetize basic duties : Result uploads, transcript processing, and departmental clearance become “see me” transactions. If you don’t pay, your file gets lost. Gatekeeping attitudes : Students are treated like beggars, not ...

  Every admission cycle, thousands of Nigerian students with the scores to walk into lecture halls on merit are told the same lie: “Quota full. Take Microbiology or go home.” Behind that line is a system that has turned university admission into a market, and the ivory tower into a marketplace. Here’s how it plays out, using a case that made it to JAMB headquarters. 1. The Score That Should Have Mattered A candidate scores 338 in UTME and applies for Medicine. In any merit-based system, 338 is a lock for admission into Medicine in any Nigerian university. The cutoff for Medicine routinely sits between 250 and 300. This candidate should be safe. The admission list comes out. His name is missing. 2. The Deflection When his father approaches the university registrar, he is told the Medicine quota is full. The “alternative” offered is Microbiology. The message is clear: your score does not get you the course you earned. It gets you what is left over, unless you can “make other arrangem...

  PROF. ABIODUN ADENIYI  VC, BAZE UNIVERSITY The Multidisciplinary Mind Now Leading Baze University Baze University’s appointment of Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi as Substantive Vice-Chancellor was not just another administrative change. It was a statement about the direction the university wants to go—towards scholarship, public engagement, and practical leadership. And Prof. Adeniyi’s pedigree backs it up. A Profile That Cuts Across Fields He is not a one-track academic. Prof. Adeniyi is known for blending intellectual rigour with real-world communication skills: Scholar & Researcher – Deep roots in academia, with a research focus that has earned him recognition in Nigerian and international circles. Journalist & Public Intellectual – He writes regularly for The Guardian Nigeria , breaking down complex issues for a broader audience. That is rare for a Vice-Chancellor, and it gives Baze a direct line to public discourse. Administrator – Colleagues point to his administrat...

  SEN. DATTI BABA AHMED FOUNDER - BAZE UNIVERSITY If you’ve followed Nigerian politics, you know Sen. Datti Baba Ahmed as a former Senator for Kaduna North and a one-time vice-presidential running mate. If you’ve followed Abuja’s education scene, you know him as the Chancellor who has quietly turned Baze University into the FCT’s pace-setter in private higher education. It is that mix of politics and pragmatism that defines his approach to running Baze. A Leader Who Hates Wasted Time Sen. Datti’s frustration with disruptions to Nigeria’s academic calendar did not stay in the Senate chambers. He built it into Baze’s DNA. At Baze, the calendar runs. Students know when they will start, and they know when they will graduate. For parents paying premium fees, that reliability matters as much as the degree itself. Merit Over Connections Despite his political clout, his rule at Baze is simple: appointments are earned, not owed. The recent elevation of Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi to Substantive V...

  Baze University is increasingly positioning itself as one of the leading private universities in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, proving that speed, structure, and scholarship can coexist without compromising academic standards. As the first private university established in the FCT, the institution has spent the past 13 years building a model aimed at bridging the gap between academia and industry while maintaining a strong focus on institutional stability and academic excellence. Academic Calendar Stability One of Baze University’s strongest selling points is its commitment to maintaining a stable academic calendar. At a time when disruptions continue to affect many public tertiary institutions, the university has consistently ensured that students complete their programmes on schedule. For parents and students alike, this reliability translates to predictability, reduced academic delays, and greater value for educational investment. Research and Industry Relevance The uni...

  The recent accolades showered on Nigeria’s Education Minister following his presentation at the Education World Forum (EWF) in London have sparked mixed reactions - ranging from commendation to skepticism. While the Minister’s efforts to showcase Nigeria’s commitment to education reform deserve recognition, several concerns remain unresolved, casting doubt on the sincerity and long-term effectiveness of these initiatives. One major issue is the choice of venue for the EWF. Why was it necessary for such an important conversation about Nigeria’s education future to take place in London rather than on Nigerian soil? Is this yet another example of our leaders seeking external validation instead of building confidence in our own institutions and capacities? To many observers, the event risks appearing more like a political showcase designed to project progress internationally rather than a genuine effort to confront the deep-rooted problems crippling the Nigerian education system. The...

  Private universities in Nigeria have changed the narrative around higher education. They’ve introduced speed, structure, and better learning environments where public institutions often stall. But while some are setting the pace, others are drifting off track - and the students are paying the price. The Problem: School Fees Without Engagement The core mandate of any university is threefold: teaching, research, and community service. Yet in some private universities, these functions exist only on paper. Students pay hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions, per session. Then they sit idle for days with no lectures, no practicals, and little meaningful academic engagement. Laboratories are empty, libraries are under-resourced, and lecturers are either overstretched or unavailable. In professional courses like Law, Engineering, Medicine, and Accounting, the gap is even more concerning. In some cases, there is little structure for clinicals, moots, workshops, fieldwork, or industry ...

Special Focus for CampusDialog Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, holds a unique place in Nigerian history. It is the oldest state university in the country, established in 1981. It also boasts one of the most impressive alumni rosters of any public university. Governors, ministers, senators, captains of industry, entertainers, pastors - the list reads like a who’s who of Nigeria’s last 40 years: Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State; Umaru Mohammed Bago, Governor of Niger State; Ministers Festus Keyamo and Abubakar Momoh; former First Lady Aisha Buhari; former Governor Benedict Ayade; former Deputy Governor Kingsley Burutu Otuaro; former Minister Clem Agba; Senator Clifford Ordia. Then there’s Tony Elumelu, Chris Oyakhilome, Alibaba, Omawumi, and dozens more in business, law, academia, and the pulpit. On paper, AAU should be a case study in alumni-driven growth. In reality, the relationship is cold. And there are clear reasons why. 1. High-profile alumni, zero engagement AAU can b...

  The sponsorship of a bill by Marcus Onobun to establish a Federal College of Agriculture in Ebelle is a commendable move. Any effort aimed at bringing higher education closer to rural communities deserves recognition. But the bigger question remains: Will creating another institution solve the real problem? Nigeria does not lack colleges and faculties of agriculture. What the country truly lacks are students willing and motivated to study agriculture. The Reality on Ground Across federal and state universities, faculties of agriculture are consistently under-subscribed. Courses such as Agronomy, Animal Science, and Agricultural Economics often struggle to fill available slots each admission cycle. Despite national conversations around food security, agribusiness, and economic diversification, agriculture remains one of the least preferred fields among many young Nigerians. Building another college in Ebelle alone may not automatically change this trend. Ebelle itself is a farming...

  CampusDialog Alert Don’t lose your money and your admission chance The JAMB Change of Course/Institution portal is now open, and unfortunately, scammers are already taking advantage of desperate candidates and parents. Here’s how to stay safe and avoid costly mistakes. 1. Red Flags of Fake Agents “I can upgrade your score” JAMB scores cannot be altered after release. Anyone promising score upgrades is a scammer. “Pay a huge amount and I’ll secure admission for you” Neither JAMB nor universities sell admission. Admission is determined by merit, quota, and the CAPS system. Many candidates have lost money chasing fake “connections.” “Send me your login details privately” Never share your JAMB profile password or OTP with anyone. Fraudsters can hijack your profile and extort you later. No receipt, no evidence Always collect official printouts and payment receipts after any transaction. If an agent refuses, walk away immediately. Operating outside accredited CBT centers All official c...

  Do it right, do it early, secure admission 1. Who Needs to Change? Below cut-off: Your score didn’t meet the departmental cut-off for your first-choice course. Above cut-off but still at risk: High-demand courses with limited quotas often leave out many qualified candidates. Wrong fit: You’ve realized the course no longer aligns with your strengths, interests, or career goals. 2. Why Early Action Wins 1. More Options Departments fill up quickly. Candidates who act in May or June usually have far more opportunities than those waiting till August or September. 2. Faster Processing Many schools begin screening early and may not wait for late changes to reflect on the portal. 3. Less Stress Handle your change now so you can focus on post-UTME preparation and document processing later. 3. Smart Strategy Before You Pay Check cut-offs carefully: Use the JAMB brochure and official school portals. Don’t jump from one impossible option to another. Look beyond federal universities: St...

JAMB results are out. But for thousands of candidates across Nigeria, the admission journey is only beginning. Following the upcoming JAMB Policy Meeting, universities, polytechnics, and Colleges of Education are expected to announce their admission procedures for the 2026 session. Some institutions will conduct post-UTME screenings, while others may adopt direct admission processes based solely on JAMB and O’Level performance. For candidates and parents, one major question remains: Which system truly offers a fairer chance in 2026? How the Admission Process Works in 2026 JAMB sets the national admission benchmark by announcing minimum admissible scores and general admission guidelines. However, institutions still retain the authority to determine how admissions are finalized within that framework. At the moment, two major systems are in use across Nigeria: 1. Post-UTME Screening Candidates who meet the school’s cut-off mark are required to sit for another examination, screening, inter...