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Category: Education

  • Council Chairman pays WAEC fees for 1,794 students

    Council Chairman pays WAEC fees for 1,794 students

    The chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Pastor Beloved Dan-Anike, has paid the registration fees for 1,759 children enrolled in Enugu state public schools for the 2025 West African Examination Council (WAEC).

    Anike made the disclosure in a meeting with principals of the 13 public secondary schools in the council area on Friday at the council headquarters in Nkwo Nike.

    He said the gesture was part of the activities to mark his 100 days in office as well as to give back to the society that voted him into power.

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    The council chairman said that the fees covered every eligible student resident and schooling in the government owned secondary schools in the LGA.

    He urged principals to refund those who had already paid for the WAEC fees and inform their parents and the various communities about the gesture for accountability and transparency.

    Anike also said that he would extend the same gesture to students in the Army Day Command Secondary School resident in the council area.

    According to him, I know that not all SS3 students in the Command School live in the local government area but I would like to have a list of the eligible students that reside in the area so that they can benefit from the gesture.

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    The chairman commended the principals for providing quality education for the students and pledged to look into their challenges for possible solution.

    Anike however, presented a 25 kilogram bag of rice to each of the school principals in the local government area.

    In her remarks, the Principal of the Community High School, Emene, Ms Chioma Ebue, thanked the chairman for his magnanimity to the education sector in the state and pledged their unalloyed support to him.

    Ebue also thanked him for awarding scholarships to some indigent students in public schools in the area and prayed God to bless and sustain his efforts. 

  • UNILAG awards first class degrees to 76 females, 30 males

    UNILAG awards first class degrees to 76 females, 30 males

    The  Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, on Tuesday expressed delight that 76 female students and 30 males  finished with first class honours from UNILAG in the 2023/2024 academic session.

    Ogunsola, the first female Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, also said that the university’s Department of Mass Communication produced 18 all-female first class graduates in the academic session.

    Ogunsola made this known at the award of  first degree and doplomas to graduands from five faculties, at the university’s 55th Convocation Ceremonies.

    The faculties are  Education, Social Sciences, Arts, Environmental Science and Sciences.

    Ogunsola said that the  performances were impressive.

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    She commended the graduating students for their hard work, dedication and resilience.

    “The best graduating student in the Faculty of Education is Christian Uwagwu, who achieved a CGPA of 4.78.

    “In the Faculty of Social Sciences, Ibrahim Sefiu emerged  the best graduate with a CGPA of 4.82,” she said.

    Ogunsola said that a total of  9,865 students would  receive first degrees and diplomas at the 55th convocation ceremonies while 6,659 would be awarded postgraduate degrees, and 66 would graduate from  UNILAG Business School.

    “I felicitate with our graduating students and their families who have supported them throughout this journey.

    “The conferment they receive is in recognition of and reward for years of dedication and diligence in the pursuit of excellence.

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    She said that UNILAG  had recorded groundbreaking achievements in innovation, infrastructure development and academic excellence.

    She listed the achievements to include the launch of its Green Air Initiative involving  introduction of eight electric buses to transport students and staff around campus.

    According to her, one of the university’s most notable accomplishments in 2024 was the domiciliation of the MED-AFRICA GMP Laboratory, the first of its kind in West Africa.

    She said that the $450,000 state-of-the-art facility enhanced groundbreaking researches.

    “The Africa Centre of Excellence for Drug Research, Herbal Medicine Development, and Regulatory Science was also inaugurated.”

    Ogunsola said the project which was funded by the World Bank was dedicated to developing indigenous plants for medical applications. 

  • Harness AI to Develop: Okonjo-Iweala urges Africa

    Harness AI to Develop: Okonjo-Iweala urges Africa

    Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Nigeria’s pride, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has urged Nigeria and other African nations to harness potentials of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through strategic investments.

    She made this call during the 10th Convocation Ceremony of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) Class of 2024 in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okonjo-Iweala spoke on ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Frontier Technologies: Harnessing Opportunities and Tackling Challenges to Drive Africa’s Development’.

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    She emphasised the need for investments in infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and digital literacy to empower the youth.

    “We need investments in basic infrastructure, first and foremost, investments in regulatory frameworks, in digital literacy, in upskilling our young people, in creating business, appropriate business ecosystems, and more.

    “But I’m confident that with foresight and careful planning for implementation, Nigeria and Africa can do it.

    “Infact, we must do it because we don’t have a choice. And I’m happy the effort has begun and AUST has put itself in the vanguard of this movement.

    READ ALSO: Africa has what it takes to develop itself – Tinubu

    “Let’s be creative about partnerships in academia, technology, and the private sector that can help move us forward, “she said.

    She revealed the economic potential of AI, noting that it could boost global economic activity by 15.7 trillion dollars or roughly 15 per cent by 2030.

    Okonjo-Iweala added that while AI growth is often associated with industrialised nations, the global South, including Africa, stands to benefit greatly.

    “Universities like AUST have a big role to play in thinking about what AI means for the development of Nigeria and the continent as a whole, and how we can capitalise on the opportunities whilst managing the risks.

    ”There are important questions here- What kind of infrastructure is needed for people across Africa and across Nigeria to benefit from the AI revolution?

    “What kind of skills do we need to foster? What kind of investments do governments need to make on the opportunity side of the ladder?.

    “AI promises to be useful in addressing challenges that have bedeviled Nigeria’s economic progress for decades, “she said.

    Addressing the graduating class, Okonjo-Iweala urged them to embrace innovation and lifelong learning.

    “You graduates are not just beneficiaries of this transformation, but you’re also among its architects.

    “As you leave the halls of this university, I urge you to embrace lifelong learning, innovation, and a commitment to building solutions that address local and global challenges. Never stop striving for excellence, ”she added.

    Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Keynote speaker and Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), highlighted the role of AI in improving transparency and access to services.

    She emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships and ongoing stakeholder engagement to enhance Nigeria’s identity registration system.

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    “Public-Private Partnerships can also play a vital role in building confidence and improving access to enrollment services across Nigeria’s diverse regions.

    “Furthermore, NIMC continues to expand infrastructure and technological capabilities to facilitate seamless enrollment and service delivery. 

    “The deployment of mobile enrollment units, online platforms, enhancement of biometric verification systems has shown promising results so far. 

    “To accelerate the enrollment process, NIMC has also invested in further scaling these technologies, ensuring that rural and underserved populations are included, ”she said.

    AUST President, Prof. Peter Onwualu, pledged to establish Centres of Excellence across Africa to combat brain drain and produce technology-driven graduates equipped with AI, data science, and entrepreneurial skills.

    “Our dream remains to produce industry ready graduates with technology driven skills and students that are competent in hard skills of their disciplines and soft skills using Project-Based Learning, Outcome-Based Learning and critical thinking approaches.

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    “The curriculum of every programme in the university is being modified to embrace knowledge of Artificial Intelligence, data sciences and entrepreneurship in the training of students,” he said.

    The convocation ceremony featured the award of postgraduate diplomas, master’s degrees, PhDs, and honorary doctorates to 58 students.

    Notable recipients of honorary awards included Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, Chairman of TETFund; George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; and Oliver Alawuba, Group Managing Director of UBA.

  • NELFUND Approves N20bn Loan for Over 192,000 Students

    NELFUND Approves N20bn Loan for Over 192,000 Students

    The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has approved a loan of N20.1bn for 192,906 students across public universities in Nigeria. 

    This disbursement, which was finalized as of January 1, 2025, aims to support students in their educational pursuits.

    Bayero University in Kano will receive the highest share, with N1.3bn allocated for 11,683 students. 

    The University of Maiduguri follows closely, as 12,198 students will benefit from N1.27bn. 

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    Other universities like the University of Jos, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, and the University of Ibadan also received substantial amounts to support their students.

    Some institutions received smaller amounts, with Gombe State Polytechnic and Abia State Polytechnic receiving funds for only a few students.

     These smaller loans include amounts such as N122,000 for four students at Gombe State Polytechnic and N106,300 for two students at Abia State Polytechnic.

    Previously, NELFUND had disbursed N110bn to students across Nigeria, according to an update from the fund’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr.

  • Christ Mitots School, Ikorodu Lagos Suspends Abusive Teacher

    Christ Mitots School, Ikorodu Lagos Suspends Abusive Teacher

    Stella Nwadigo, a teacher of Christ Mitots School in Ikorodu, Lagos State, who was seen in a video abusing a three-year-old pupil for his inability to write numbers has been suspended.

    The Management of the school announced the suspension of the the 45-year-old teacher today, Thursday.

    A two-minute video which went viral on Wednesday had shown the teacher  slapping the toddler for not learning number writing fast.

    The school confirmed the suspension in a statement issued by its management on Thursday.

    The video attracted public condemnation, which led to the teacher’s arrest.

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    In the statement, the school condemned the teacher’s action, describing it as unacceptable.

    “We are aware of a deeply troubling incident involving a teacher engaging in physical discipline of a student in a manner that is completely unacceptable.

    “As an institution that is deeply committed to fostering a culture of respect, care and dignity, we are horrified by this incident and wish to make it clear that such actions will not be tolerated.

    “In response, the teacher involved has been suspended indefinitely, while a thorough investigation is being conducted,” it said.

    The school said that its immediate and decisive action reflected its zero-tolerance for misconduct and its obligation to safeguard every child under its care.

    “As such, we have an open door policy to provide students, parents and guardians with a safe space to voice any concerns without fear,” it said.

    The school said that it had apologised to the pupil and his family.

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    “We have reached out to them to express our regret.

    “We ask for the public’s patience and understanding as we work to address this matter responsibly and comprehensively.

    “We will be organising mandatory training sessions for teachers to reinforce child protection protocols, emphasise positive disciplinary practices, and cultivate greater sensitivity in interactions with students, ” it added.

    According to the school, it has also introduced a  whistle-blowing system to encourage prompt reporting of inappropriate behaviour. 

  • WAEC Introduces Resit Exams for WASSCE Candidates

    WAEC Introduces Resit Exams for WASSCE Candidates

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially introduced a resit option for candidates wishing to retake their West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).

    This initiative provides students with the chance to resit their exams as early as January and February 2025.

    WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, confirmed the development during an appearance on JoyNews’ AM Show in Ghana on Sunday.

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    He explained that students who need to resit one or more subjects can register online through the WAEC website or at accredited internet cafes until January 8, 2025.

    The resit exams are scheduled to take place from January 24 to February 15, 2025.

    Kapi also noted that students whose results had been cancelled would be eligible to sit for the WASSCE PC1 exams, provided they have not been banned due to exam malpractice.

    This new resit option gives students a valuable opportunity to improve their grades and meet the necessary requirements for further academic or professional endeavors.

  • Prof Aisha Maikudi, Appointed Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja

    Prof Aisha Maikudi, Appointed Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja

    The Governing Council of the University of Abuja, today confirmed the appointment of Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi as the 7th Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja.

    A statement made available to Nigerian Anchor indicates that the appointment was announced during the 77th Extraordinary Meeting of the Governing Council presided by Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (Rtd), today, Tuesday, 31st December 2024.

    The appointment takes effect from 1st January 2025, and it is for a non renewable tenure of five years.
    Professor Maikudi emerged successful from the shortlist of 10 candidates who were interviewed by the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board of the University, in line with the extant regulations governing the process.

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    Prior to this appointment, Prof Maikudi had functioned as acting Vice Chancellor since last July 5th, during this period, she worked closely with the Governing Council to stabilise the University through a challenging crisis, demonstrating exceptional leadership and commitment.

    Profile of the Vice Chancellor

    Born 31st January, 1983 in Katsina State, Professor Maikudi is a distinguished scholar and professor of International Law at the University of Abuja.

    She attended the Sacred Heart School, Kaduna, for her primary education, before proceeding to Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, where she earned the West African Senior School Certificate in 1999.

    She obtained the Bachelor of Law from the University of Reading, in 2004, followed with an LLM from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2005.

    After completing her legal education at the Nigerian Law School (2006–2007), she followed with a PhD in International Law from the University of Abuja in 2015.

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    She joined the University of Abuja as Lecturer II on 4th September 2008, and rose through the ranks to become a professor in 2021.

    The new Vice Chancellor had been Head of Department, in 2013; Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law, 2018, and the pioneer Director of the University of Abuja International Centre in 2019.

    As the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), it was reported that she contributed to enhancing academic standards by promoting a culture of excellence at the University.

    She is also credited with introducing the study of ‘United Nations Law’ at the University of Abuja in 2019.

    In addition to teaching, research and supervision of undergraduate and graduate students, the new vice chancellor has numerous publications in academic journals and book chapters to her credit.

    Prof Maikudi has represented her university and country at numerous national and international conferences, workshops, and training sessions across the UK, US, South Africa, Germany, Italy, China, Ghana, and Egypt and other forums where she had made scholarly presentations.

    Prof Maikudi displaying her confirmation letter

    The new Vice-Chancellor is an active member of several professional organisations, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Law Teachers Association (NLTA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and Nigerian Society of International Law.

  • Aisha Garba Appointed By Tinubu As New UBEC Boss

    Aisha Garba Appointed By Tinubu As New UBEC Boss

    President Bola Tinubu has appointed Aisha Garba as the new Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). 

    Talk of fixing square pegs into holes of similar coordinate diameter, the appointment of Madam Aisha Garba as Nigeria’s Universal Basic Education czar portends a good omen for the sector that has long been mismanaged due to the assignment of rounded pegs into square holes.

    The announcement was made on Tuesday by the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.  

    Garba, an international development expert with over 24 years of experience, has played a pivotal role in education initiatives across Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Kenya, the USA, and the UK. 

    Her extensive work includes managing education programs for the World Bank for over 15 years, where she oversaw projects from design to implementation and evaluation.  

    Having contributed to achieving Nigeria’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the past, Garba brings expertise in addressing education challenges in fragile and conflict-affected areas. 

    Her work has also connected governments, development organizations, and communities to create sustainable solutions in education.  

    Garba is a graduate of Petra American University in Jordan, holding a combined degree in English and Computer Studies. She later earned a Master’s in International Development from the University of Birmingham, UK.  

    Her leadership is expected to enhance the quality of basic education and prepare Nigerian children to compete on a global scale.

    Aisha Garba is a Senior Education Specialist based in Abuja, Nigeria.  She joined the World Bank in February 2013

  • University of Abuja now Yakubu Gowon University

    University of Abuja now Yakubu Gowon University

    The Federal Government has announced a name change for the University of Abuja. It is now to be known and addressed as Yakubu Gowon University. This offers the management of the university an ample opportunity for re-branding.

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris announced the name change, Monday in Abuja, shortly after the Federal Executive Council meeting, the last for the year 2024.

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    At the end of the meeting which was chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister announced to the waiting media corps of State House Correspondents that the decision to name the university after the former military head of state taken in recognition of General Gowon’s contribution to nation building.

    This name change may be a form of birthday gift to the elder statesman who recently celebrated his birthday.

    A professor who spoke to Nigerian Anchor on the subject opines that the name change may also open a new vista of funding opportunity for the university.

  • Sacked Ag. VC sues FUHSO, Education Minister over unlawful removal

    Sacked Ag. VC sues FUHSO, Education Minister over unlawful removal

    The Acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Professor Ediga Bede Agbo, has asked the National Industrial Court Markurdi, to declare his removal unlawful.

    In the right suit, Professor Agbo insisted that the plan by the defendants to replace him jeopardizes his reputation and disrupts university governance.

    Specifically, he wants an order of the Court nullifying all decisions taken as well as all acts done, at the said invalid meeting of the Senate of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo held on the 29th day of November, 2024.

    He, therefore, pledged to pay damages to the tune of N2,5 million, if the injunction is deemed unnecessary at the end of the trial.

    Also mentioned as the defendants in the matter are the Honourable Minister of Education, the university’s Senate, and its Governing Council.

    Professor Agbo, who was appointed on October 17, 2024, claims that his removal is without justification challenging an attempt to appoint Professor Stephen Obekpa Abah, a non-staff member, as the Acting Vice Chancellor.

    He wants interlocutory orders of the court for recognition of appointments through a directive for the university to maintain his position as Acting Vice Chancellor, with all accompanying rights and privileges.

    He also wants an order of injunction preventing the defendants from appointing Professor Abah or any other individual as the Acting Vice Chancellor pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

    In an affidavit in support of his claims, deposed by him, the defendant maintained that his appointment aligns with statutory provisions as the most senior professor at FUHSO.

    He challenges the validity of Professor Abah’s earlier appointment as Deputy Vice Chancellor, citing a lack of Senate approval.

    He further alleges that Professor Abah, still affiliated with Ambrose Alli University and without a formal transfer to FUHSO, does not meet eligibility requirements.

    In conclusion, he submitted that the university’s actions threaten to destabilize academic and administrative operations, undermining due process.

    In the originating summon, the plaintiff wants the court to determine:

    Whether or not having regard to relevant sections of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (Establishment) Act, 2022, the Registrar of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo can hold any valid Meeting of the Senate of the University without issuing a Notice of such a Meeting to the Claimant, who is the Acting Vice Chancellor and most Senior Professor at the University and therefore a Statutory Member of the Senate of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.

    Whether or not the outcome of any meeting of the Senate of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, convened without giving the Claimant Notice of such a meeting, is not invalid and therefore, null and void.

    Upon the determination of the above questions, the Plaintiff wants the court to declare that the Claimant, being the Acting Vice-Chancellor and most senior professor at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo is a statutory member of the Senate of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo and entitled to receive Notices of all Meetings of the Senate of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.

    He also wants the court to declare that the Meeting of the Senate of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo held on the 29th day of November, 2024 is invalid and all decisions taken and all acts done, at the said invalid meeting are therefore null and void.