News
Bangladesh Universities Close Amid Unrest Over Job Quota Protests
Bangladesh was plunged into turmoil this week as universities and educational institutions across the country abruptly closed their doors on Wednesday.
This decision came in response to violent riots that shook the capital city of Dhaka just a day earlier, tragically claiming the lives of six individuals.
The unrest erupted over widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s job allocation policies, particularly the contentious quota system that reserves 30% of positions for relatives of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 war for independence.
What began as peaceful protests demanding reforms quickly escalated into clashes between student demonstrators, pro-government factions, and law enforcement agencies.
In Dhaka, the prestigious Dhaka University promptly suspended classes following the outbreak of violence, with other universities following suit under government directives aimed at ensuring the safety of students.
The University Grants Commission endorsed these measures, citing concerns over escalating tensions and security risks on campuses nationwide.
The unrest was not confined to Dhaka alone, spreading to other major cities like Chattogram and Rangpur. Reports of violence, including clashes and property damage, prompted swift and decisive action from authorities.
Police conducted raids on the headquarters of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, resulting in the arrest of several individuals allegedly involved in the disturbances.
The issue of job quotas has long been a contentious one in Bangladesh, with critics arguing that the system perpetuates inequality and favors political affiliations.
A previous court decision in 2018 had temporarily suspended the quota system following mass student protests. However, a recent ruling by the High Court overturned this decision, reigniting frustrations among youth facing significant unemployment rates.
Government positions in Bangladesh are highly sought after due to their perceived stability and better compensation compared to private sector jobs.
The current system allocates a substantial portion of these positions to various groups, including women, Indigenous communities, and residents of underdeveloped districts, in addition to veterans’ families.
As authorities work to restore calm and address underlying grievances through dialogue and legal channels, the closure of educational institutions underscores the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need for resolution amid heightened social and political tensions in the country.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to late Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs, recalling his contributions to the creative industry and his impact on Nigeria’s cultural identity.
In his tribute, Tinubu described Jacobs as a giant of the Nigerian creative industry and said “He was a giant of the Nigerian creative industry. His passing is a great loss to Nigeria, the African film industry and the global community of lovers of the performing arts. His remarkable body of work will continue to speak to generations yet unborn.
“The nation recognises the enormous contributions of Nigeria’s creative practitioners to the country’s cultural identity, global image and economic development. Olu Jacobs played a big role in creating this identity.”
Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency over the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard drugs and consumer products in Nigeria.
Adeyanju also called for the removal of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, as well as the heads of other regulatory agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
“Nigerians are being exposed to dangerous products daily, from fake and substandard medicines to unsafe consumer goods, with reports of drugs being sold wholesale in the open under the hot sun. No responsible government should expose its citizens to such risks and expect mortality rates not to rise.”
Adeyanju also called out NAFDAC over what he described as failures in regulating the circulation of counterfeit and substandard products in the country.
It can be noted that various counterfeit products continue to circulate in Nigerian markets, while NAFDAC has also reported seizures and destruction of counterfeit, expired and substandard products.
Lagosians have lamented heavy traffic caused by ongoing construction work at Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The Federal Government announced that repairs on the damaged expansion joints at Kara Bridge would begin on September 8, 2026. The project, initially scheduled to begin in August, was delayed to allow further traffic management planning due to concerns over its impact on motorists.
Since work began, traffic around the Kara area has become heavy, with Lagosians sharing updates on social media about spending two hours or more on the road.
Some commuters say the delays have made their 9-to-5 routines difficult, with several hours spent travelling to and from work.
“You Have to Vote Right” — Timaya Speaks on Nigeria’s Political Future
Rema Names His Favourite Streamers for Entertainment, Fans React
