The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • TETFund to develop security master plan for tertiary institutions nationwide

    TETFund to develop security master plan for tertiary institutions nationwide

    The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund has announced plans to develop a comprehensive security master plan for tertiary institutions nationwide.

    The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, TETFund, Aminu Bello Masari, explained that the master plan aims to enhance threat prevention, detection, and response capabilities.

    The former Katsina State governor disclosed this during the opening ceremony of a two-day workshop on campus security towards the development of a security master plan for tertiary institutions in Nigeria in Abuja, where he outlined the various threats faced by tertiary institutions, including banditry, kidnapping, and cyber intrusions.

    According to him, the workshop, which was attended by all the Chief Security Officers of all tertiary institutions, covered various aspects of campus security, including intelligence gathering and emergency response mechanisms.

    Masari stressed the shared responsibility of campus security among government, security agencies, administrators, students, staff, and communities.

    He encouraged participants to approach the deliberations with dedication, innovation, and practical solutions, adding that the outcomes of the workshop will significantly impact the safety of campuses and the future of Nigerian tertiary education.

    The participants, including chief executives, deans, security officers, and law enforcement representatives, were encouraged to share experiences and practical solutions to ensure robust, future-proof campus security.

    Masari said, “What we begin here today is not merely another conference. It is a foundational step in developing a comprehensive, forward-looking security master plan for tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

    “This master plan is expected to establish a security of time framework for all time-sharing institutions to transcend institutional capacity for threat prevention, detection, mitigation, and response. It is also expected to promote intelligence-led security operations and proactive risk management, protect students, staff, facilities, infrastructure, and intellectual assets, and deepen collaboration between institutions, security agencies, and host communities. The master plan will also institutionalise emergency preparedness, crisis management, and business continuity protocols and integrate modern, physical, and digital security technologies into campus operations.

    “These deliberations are not theoretical. They form the building blocks of the national framework that will guide campus security policies, investments, and operations for years to come.

    “I am particularly encouraged by this diversity of participants. Present here are chief executives, Dean of Student Affairs, chief security officers, ICT professionals, security analysts, and the representatives of law enforcement agencies.”

    Executive Secretary, TETFund Sonny Echono stressed the importance of having clear communication channels to alert and respond to security breaches, involving agencies like the military, police, and Civil Defence.

    According to him, there is a need for fire drills to prepare for emergencies, and similar plans should be in place for security breaches.

    He highlighted the need for immediate action and not waiting for incidents to occur, mentioning previous efforts to improve infrastructure.

    The ES reiterated that the reaction and prevention strategies are crucial, not just the infrastructure.

  • NMA hails Afe Babalola for investments in healthcare, medical education

    NMA hails Afe Babalola for investments in healthcare, medical education

    The Nigerian Medical Association has lauded the Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, for what it described as his outstanding contributions to healthcare delivery and medical education in the country.

    The first NMA Vice President, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, gave the commendation on Monday when he led a high-member delegation to ABUAD on a courtesy visit.

    Olowojebutu said he was overwhelmed by the scale of investments in the 400-bed ABUAD Multi-System Hospital, the Industrial Park, the Independent Power Plant, and the ABUAD Enterprise Farms, describing the facilities as uncommon achievements by a private individual.

    He noted that the Multi-System Hospital, widely regarded by experts as one of the most well-equipped in Sub-Saharan Africa, had continued to raise the bar in the provision of modern medical services.

    According to him, the presence of two functional MRI machines, a dialysis centre with affordable charges, and an in-house oxygen plant demonstrated the university’s commitment to excellence.

    The NMA chief said he was particularly moved by the fact that Babalola, who has never held a political office, chose to situate the massive development in Ekiti rather than in bigger cities, stressing that the decision had placed the state prominently on the global map.

    “We are proud of what we have seen here today. What Aare Babalola has done is for humanity, and it deserves to be promoted and supported at all levels,” he said.

    Responding, Babalola thanked the NMA leadership for the visit and reflected on the decline in national standards compared to the early post-independence era.

    He said the success of ABUAD was inspired by his desire to institutionalise quality, functional education despite having stopped formal schooling at Standard VI.

    He added that the university’s vision had been validated by its ranking among the world’s top 100 universities in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, where it also maintained its position as Nigeria’s best university for four consecutive years.

    The elder statesman urged wealthy Nigerians to invest meaningfully in education and health, saying even small acts of kindness could change lives.

  • Delta police explain how to track fraudsters asking for money on WhatsApp

    Delta police explain how to track fraudsters asking for money on WhatsApp

    The Delta State Police Command has advised Nigerians to always verify the identities of persons requesting money on WhatsApp to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.

    In a video made available to journalists in the state on Tuesday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police (SP) Bright Edafe, warned that fraudsters now hack WhatsApp accounts and use them to fleece unsuspecting contacts.

    He urged the public to prioritise verification before transferring money to anyone.

    Edafe said, “Call anyone asking you for money on WhatsApp to verify their identity. That is the only way you can be sure you are not chatting with a hacker.”

    He explained that hackers often begin conversations with familiar greetings to build trust.

    According to him, victims typically receive messages such as: “Good morning, how was your night? Please, I need your assistance with something. I am trying to send someone money, but it’s not going through. Can you please help me send it to the person’s account? I will send it back to you once my network comes back.”

    He noted that after sending such messages, the fraudsters provide account details that do not belong to the supposed sender.

    “Sometimes, when you question them or insist that they send their own account details, they will insult you and delete the messages,” he added.

    SP Edafe cautioned Nigerians not to send money to any account that does not bear the name of the person they believe they are chatting with.

    The Delta Police spokesman advised, “Please, if anybody sends you an account number that doesn’t bear their name, don’t send money. Even if it is an Opay, Palmpay, or Moniepoint account bearing their name, don’t send it. You can only trust it if it is a conventional bank account.”

    He stressed that a direct phone call remains the most reliable way to confirm whether a friend, colleague, or family member is truly behind a WhatsApp chat.

    “Call them directly to be sure the person chatting with you is still in possession of their SIM card,” he said.

    He urged Nigerians to take the warnings seriously and to enable the two-step verification process to safeguard their WhatsApp accounts and finances from fraudsters exploiting social media vulnerabilities.

  • Tinubu unveils new youth-empowerment drive

    Tinubu unveils new youth-empowerment drive

    …as FG announces startup grants, digital work platform

    …Nigeria’s youth are our demographic advantage — Edun

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday restated that empowering Nigeria’s youth remains a “deeply personal” priority of his administration, as the federal government rolled out a new suite of digital-skills and enterprise-support programmes aimed at preparing young Nigerians for global competitiveness.

    Speaking at the launch of the second edition of the Nigeria Youth Academy (NiYA) Startup Grants and the unveiling of the NiYA Gig digital-work platform in Abuja, the President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, said youth empowerment is central to the nation’s future and the engine of his Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “From the earliest days of this administration, I made a firm decision that Nigeria’s youth will not stand on the margins of our national development. This commitment is not political; it is personal,” he said.

    Tinubu highlighted ongoing reforms to expand opportunities for youth-led enterprises, including easing tax compliance for small businesses, incentivising the digital and creative economy, and building a pipeline of young global service providers through the NiYA Academy, NiYA Startup, NiYA Jobs, and the newly launched NiYA Gigs.

    He commended the Ministry of Youth Development for widening the programme’s reach after the debut edition drew more than 14,000 applications nationwide.

    Earlier, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the administration is constructing a comprehensive youth-empowerment ecosystem covering skills acquisition, enterprise creation, and income generation.

    He announced grants of N1 million each for 200 youth-led startups and N500,000 each for 100 beneficiaries in the informal sector, describing the funds as “not loans, but fuel for your journey.”

    He also launched NiYA Gig, a national digital-work platform intended to link young Nigerians to paid opportunities locally and globally, while highlighting the success of initiatives such as the Nigerian Youth Help Desk and a WhatsApp AI Chatbot that has already engaged more than one million young people.

    Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said the Federal Government is preparing Nigeria’s youthful population for global competition by investing in digital infrastructure, skills training, and innovation.

    “Nigeria’s youth are our demographic advantage. With proper preparation, young Africans will make up 25 percent of the world’s workforce by 2050,” he said, noting that expanded broadband access and automation will enable young Nigerians to export digital services without leaving the country.

    Also speaking, Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite Udoka, said ongoing financial-sector reforms would ease access to credit, expand concessional loans, strengthen tax incentives, and scale digital infrastructure for youth-led MSMEs.

    “These initiatives are deliberately designed to stimulate entrepreneurship and deepen the creativity that defines the Nigerian spirit,” she said.

    In a goodwill message, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, described Nigeria’s digitally fluent young population as a major national asset.

    “Our human capital, our talent, is our new oil,” he said, noting that more than 70 percent of the country’s 230 million citizens are under 18.

    Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said achieving President Tinubu’s ambition of a $1 trillion economy depends on unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s youth, adding that reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will convert the scheme into a launchpad for future-oriented careers.

    Speakers at the event agreed that Nigeria’s economic future will be driven by the skills, creativity, and enterprise of its young population, with the government constructing a national empowerment framework to help them rise.

  • Tinubu acting decisively on security — Shettima

    Tinubu acting decisively on security — Shettima

    Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is acting “quickly and decisively” to confront Nigeria’s security challenges, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s security institutions.

    Receiving faculty and participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 18 of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Vice President said the government is determined to support security establishments in Nigeria and across Africa to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

    In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said, “President Tinubu is working round the clock to address concerns in the security sector. It is absolutely essential that we fuse as one to address these issues, and all hands must be on deck to salvage the situation”.

    He added that the security of the African continent must be treated as a collective responsibility, citing the diverse composition of the participants drawn from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies within Nigeria and other African countries.

    Led by the NISS Commandant, Joseph Odama, representatives of the 78 participants were at the Villa to present an executive brief of their end-of-course report titled “Non-State Actors in Security Management in Africa: Issues, Challenges and Prospects for Peace and Development.”

    Among the recommendations presented was the harmonisation and integration of country-based security initiatives into national and regional security frameworks to strengthen peace-building and conflict-resolution efforts.

    Earlier, Odama disclosed that the 10-month programme, which began on 19 February 2025, consisted of senior participants at the rank of Deputy Director and above, drawn from the military, paramilitary, law-enforcement agencies, and strategic MDAs at federal and state levels.

    He said five African countries also took part in this year’s session, bringing the institute’s total number of graduates to 1,130 strategic leaders.

    “These are men and women who have been rigorously equipped to think critically and act decisively, as well as proffer innovative solutions to the most complex security and developmental challenges facing our nation and the continent at large,” the Commandant said.

    He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for what he described as visionary leadership, noting that the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda is yielding tangible progress nationwide.

  • Senate raises alarm over sudden WAEC curriculum shift, summons Education Minister

    Senate raises alarm over sudden WAEC curriculum shift, summons Education Minister

    …Senators warn of looming mass failure in 2026 SSCE

    The Senate on Tuesday raised serious concerns over what it described as a sudden and poorly planned implementation of a new curriculum and registration guideline by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), summoning the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, alongside heads of key agencies to explain the move.

    Lawmakers expressed apprehension that the abrupt policy, slated to take effect in two years, had been prematurely applied to students scheduled for the May/June 2026 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), potentially putting them at risk of widespread failure.

    Leading the debate, Senator Karimi Sunday described the directive forcing current SS3 students to follow a curriculum designed for SS1 students as a “policy ambush.”

    He noted that subjects such as Computer Studies and Civic Education, previously included in the WAEC syllabus, had been removed, leaving many students with only six examinable subjects instead of the required eight or nine.

    “The shift is abrupt and ill-prepared,” Karimi said. “Students who have spent years preparing for these subjects are now being told, at the point of registration, that they no longer exist. This is unacceptable and a recipe for mass failure.”

    Karimi argued that the move violates Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which places the welfare of citizens at the heart of governance, and Section 18, which mandates the government to ensure equal and adequate educational opportunities.

    In a fiery contribution, Senator Adams Oshiomhole condemned what he termed a “culture of anarchism” in the nation’s policy implementation framework.

    “You cannot wake up overnight and say that in June students will be examined in a subject they have not been taught,” he said. “Intentions are not enough. Proper homework must be done.”

    He demanded that the Minister of Education and all relevant agencies appear before the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education to provide “concrete evidence of preparedness” before any new curriculum is enforced.

    Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule supported the motion, stressing that any curriculum overhaul must pass through the National Council on Education (NCE), which comprises all state commissioners for education.

    “It is not something that can be introduced by fiat,” she cautioned, calling for a broader investigation into the entire curriculum review process.

    Senator Solomon Adeola warned that many newly introduced subjects, such as cosmetology, garment making, livestock farming, GSM repairs, and solar installation, are skill-based and require specialised equipment that most schools lack.

    “You cannot introduce highly practical subjects in schools where there are no workshops, laboratories, or even trained teachers,” he said. “That is setting students up for failure.”

    After extensive debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio ruled that the Education Minister and heads of relevant agencies be summoned immediately.

    “These are very weighty issues,” Akpabio said. “We cannot risk mass failure in the 2026 WAEC examinations. The relevant committees should invite the Minister immediately and report back within two weeks.”

    He noted that the Senate had already agreed that current SS3 students should be exempted from the new guideline, but insisted that comprehensive engagement with the ministry was necessary before any directive becomes final.

    The Senate insisted that the matter must be addressed and resolved before the end of the year to protect the academic future of students across the country.

    “This is an urgent national concern,” Akpabio stressed. “We must not allow confusion in the education sector to jeopardise the prospects of our children.”

  • Edo Assembly inspects Okpebholo’s projects

    Edo Assembly inspects Okpebholo’s projects

    The Edo Assembly ad-hoc committee on Project Inspection, led by Speaker Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku, has begun inspection of projects being executed by Governor Monday Okpebholo.

    Speaker Agbebaku constituted the Committee to inspect Okpebholo’s projects to ascertain if funds appropriated by the House were being used judiciously and that the projects were up to the required specifications.

    Among the projects visited as of press time were the Ramat Fly-Over and the reconstructed Army Day Secondary School.

    At the Army Day Secondary School, the lawmakers inspected the new buildings, furniture, and laboratory.

    Speaking after the inspection, Speaker Agbebaku commended Governor Okpebholo for renovating the school to international standards.

    Agbebaku said the House would collaborate with Governor Okpebholo for the state to wear a positive look.

    According to him, “I was here three years ago. What I am seeing here now is different from what was on the ground. You can see the perimeter fencing, the football pitch. The resources they are putting here are worth it because this school is located in a flood-prone area.

    “There is a need for more security to prevent the activities of vandals. In this kind of environment, where huge sums of money have been spent, there is a need for adequate security.

    “I saw the laboratory. It was perfect. I urge Mr. Governor to extend the gesture to other schools. By this, I know the money we are appropriating for Mr. Governor is being spent judiciously. We are going to collaborate with him as a House to make sure Edo is wearing a positive look.”

    At the Ramat Park, the Speaker described the project as wonderful.

    He said Edo taxpayers are happy.

    “We want to make sure that the job that is done here is done properly. We want to make sure that Edo taxpayers’ money is used properly. That is why we are here today. We are impressed with the quality of work. We have told the contractor that the Edo people are hungry to use the bridge. They should hurry up.”

    Other lawmakers present were Deputy Speaker, Hon Osawonyi Atu, Deputy Majority Leader and ad-hoc committee chairman, Hon Adeh Isibor, Hon Kingsley Ugabi, Hon Yekini Idiaye, Hon Edosa Osaro, and Hon Abdulganiyu Akokhia.

  • Akume unveils ECMS, says Nigeria has entered new era of digital governance

    Akume unveils ECMS, says Nigeria has entered new era of digital governance

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on Tuesday declared that Nigeria has entered “a new phase of digital governance” with the launch of the Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), describing the platform as a model for modernising public administration across the federal bureaucracy.

    Speaking during the unveiling ceremony in Abuja, the SGF said the initiative goes beyond the institutional achievements of the Shippers’ Council and represents the government’s determination to eliminate outdated manual procedures in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

    According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Akume said the ECMS demonstrates the type of structural reform required to strengthen accountability, transparency, and service delivery nationwide.

    Senator Akume noted that the platform is not a public-facing service but an advanced digital tool designed to dismantle long-standing problems associated with paper-based administration, including missing files, opaque approvals, and procedural delays.

    “With this platform, no document can be altered without a trace,” he said, adding that features such as audit trails, automated approvals, and a central digital repository align with global standards adopted by leading regulatory institutions.

    He explained that the automated system will enhance documentation integrity, streamline workflow, and improve communication among departments within the Council.

    These improvements, he said, would translate into faster and more professional regulatory services to maritime stakeholders.

    The SGF stressed that the automation drive is especially critical at a time when Nigeria’s maritime sector faces pressure to meet international compliance requirements and respond more quickly to industry challenges.

    Senator Akume commended the Executive Secretary of the NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, for championing one of the first examples of compliance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive on digital records management in public service.

    He urged other MDAs to emulate the Council by adopting similar enterprise systems to build a smarter and future-ready federal bureaucracy.

    He also linked the initiative to the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda, saying efficient internal processes will translate to faster approvals and reduced transaction costs for businesses.

    “Today’s occasion represents more than an institutional achievement; it is a bold statement of the Federal Government’s determination to modernise public administration through integrated digital governance,” Akume said.

  • VP Shettima, NGF chair advocate diversification of education financing

    VP Shettima, NGF chair advocate diversification of education financing

    …education minister seeks more collaboration between federal, sub-national governments

    The Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdukRahman AbdulRazaq, have called for the urgent need for relevant stakeholders to evolve ways of ensuring the diversification of sources of funds for the nation’s education sector.

    They argued that with the growing complexity and demands of modern education systems, it was no longer sustainable to rely solely on the government’s funding.

    They spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during the opening session of the maiden edition of the Nigeria Education Forum (NEF, 2025), organised by the NGF, Federal Ministry of Education (FME), the Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education in Nigeria (COSCEN), and partners.

    The Vice President, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties. Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar said, “The country can no longer depend exclusively on traditional models of government-only funding.

     “There is no doubt that we must transition towards a system that is collaborative, innovative, and resilient,” he added while highlighting the current administration’s efforts to raise funding for the sector.

    The Vice President noted that over the past three years, “this administration has shown clear and steady commitment to education financing.

    “Allocations rose from NI .54 trillion in 2023 to N2.18 trillion in 2024, and now to N3.52 trillion in 2025 under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope plan.

    “This growth reflects our belief that education is the foundation of national stability, progress, and prosperity. We strengthened this investment through key agencies.”

    Vice President Shettima identified some challenges currently plaguing the education sector, including the rising population of out-of-school children, inadequate infrastructure, and ill-equipped teachers.

    Our needs have grown from classrooms to laboratories, from basic literacy to digital competence, from theoretical instruction to industry-aligned skills.

    “These needs demand a diversified and sustainable financing model, one robust enough to carry the aspirations of a new generation,” said.

    The Vice President, however, cautioned that what the nation should not overlook in its aspiration to make a difference is that the burden cannot rest on the government alone.

    He added: “We must enlist private sector actors, industry leaders, alumni networks, philanthropists, and communities to co-invest in laboratories, research centres, vocational hubs, innovation clusters, and endowment funds.

    “Since education begins in the community, local governments and traditional institutions must take responsibility for infrastructure development, school maintenance, security, and teacher welfare.

    “Industry must work closely with tertiary and vocational institutions to shape curricula that reflect real labour-market needs.

    “Our universities, in turn, must cultivate a sustainable endowment culture, mobilise alumni support, and establish professorial chairs that strengthen academic excellence and global competitiveness,” he said.

    Vice President Shettima stressed that it required sustained collaboration among all stakeholders to address the challenges in the sector.

    Read Also: Nigeria’s education budget rises to ₦3.52trn under Tinubu — Shettima

    He added, “Through sustained financing, shared responsibility, and meaningful collaboration between town and gown, we can reshape the educational landscape of Nigeria and prepare our young people for a world defined by innovation and skills.

    “So, I call upon every stakeholder here today to commit to this shared vision of sustainable education financing and impact at scale,” he said.

    NGF’s Chairman, who is also the Governor of Kwara State, said the event, with the theme: “Pathways to Sustainable Education Financing: Developing a Synergy between the Town and Gown in Nigeria,” is aimed at reimagining education financing and strengthening town and gown collaboration for national and sub-national sustainable development.

    Represented by the Director General of the NGF, Abdulateef Shittu, Governor AbdulRazaq added that the NEF 2025 “is both a national conversation and a national commitment to rethink how to engage stakeholders on education financing, deliver learning, and equip Nigerian youths for a rapidly evolving world.”

    He acknowledged the problem of inadequate budgetary allocations to the education sector, but noted that states that have all improved on their allocations to education have faltered at the level of project execution.

    The NGF Chairman added, “We are projecting two-thirds of the states to meet the 15% global benchmark in the 2026 fiscal year.

    “We are hopeful of addressing the debt servicing challenge, which exceeds total education expenditure in some states.

    “This reality limits the capacity of a few states to invest in teachers, improve foundational learning, modernise Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and strengthen higher education systems.

    “However, modalities have been put in place to address these critical needs of the education sector at the state and local government levels,” he said.

    As a way out, the NGF Chairman said: “We must close the financing and execution gaps, and modernise teaching, learning, and skills acquisition in the school system.

     “We must strengthen accountability for results and deepen partnerships across governments, academia, industry, and development institutions, including agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Inland Revenue Service, and subnational governments, and ensure that every Nigerian child, regardless of circumstance, can thrive in the 21st-century knowledge economy,” the NGF Chairman said.

    Education Minister, Morufu Alausa, stressed the need for states and Local Governments to align their educational policies with that of the Federal Government.

    Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, Dr. Alausa urged all governors, commissioners, and other stakeholders to accelerate alignment of state education reforms with Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) priorities.

    He also urged them to build more junior secondary schools (JSS) and senior secondary schools (SSS) to close access gaps; strengthen data reporting for full Nigerian Education Data Initiative (NEDI) integration.

    The minister equally urged the governors, Education Commissioners, to scale up teacher training and digital adoption and partner with the private sector to grow Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM).

  • Nigeria’s education budget rises to ₦3.52trn under Tinubu — Shettima

    Nigeria’s education budget rises to ₦3.52trn under Tinubu — Shettima

    …warns out-of-school children now “national emergency”

    Nigeria’s education budget has surged to ₦3.52 trillion in 2025 under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, up from ₦1.54 trillion in 2023, in what the Federal Government describes as a renewed national commitment to human capital development.

    Vice President Kashim Shettima, who disclosed this on Tuesday at the opening of the 2025 Nigeria Education Forum in Abuja, warned that the growing number of out-of-school children now poses “a national emergency.”

    In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications Office of the Vice President Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima called for urgent partnership between government and private-sector stakeholders to reverse the trend.

    Represented by the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, also in the Office of the Vice President, Aliyu Modibbo, Shettima said the sharp increase in funding demonstrates the administration’s resolve to build an enlightened and globally competitive population.

    “Nothing threatens a civilisation more than an uneducated generation. Nations rise when the people, regardless of circumstance, are equipped with the knowledge to imagine a better future and the skills to build it,” he said.

    The annual forum, organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and the Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education, focused on “Pathways to Sustainable Education Financing: Developing a Synergy Between Town and Gown in Nigeria.”

    Shettima argued that Nigeria has reached a critical “inflection point,” noting that traditional government-only funding models can no longer sustain national education needs.

    “The burden cannot rest on the government alone. We must enlist private sector actors, industry leaders, alumni networks, philanthropists, and communities to co-invest in laboratories, research centres, vocational hubs, innovation clusters, and endowment funds,” he stated.

    According to the Vice President, several education agencies have recorded historic budget increases under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    He noted that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) budget rose from ₦320.3 billion in 2023 to ₦683.4 billion in 2024 and now stands at ₦1.6 trillion in 2025.

    He added that the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has distributed ₦92.4 billion in matching grants to 25 states and the FCT, while ₦19 billion has gone into teacher development programmes in 32 states and the capital. Over ₦1.5 billion, he said, has supported more than 1,147 communities.

    The newly established Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), created under the Students Loan Act of 2024, has already disbursed ₦86.3 billion to more than 450,000 students across 218 tertiary institutions.

    “This Fund signals a new era where no Nigerian is denied tertiary education for lack of money,” Shettima said, insisting that lasting solutions to Nigeria’s learning crisis depend on safe, well-equipped schools and adequately trained and supported teachers.

    The Vice President urged stronger collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, stressing prompt counterpart funding, transparent resource utilisation, and strict adherence to agreed action plans.

    “Since education begins in the community, local governments and traditional institutions must take responsibility for infrastructure development, school maintenance, security, and teacher welfare.

    “We are here today because we do not treat education as just a line item in the national budget. We treat it as the foundation of our national identity, the engine of our economic transformation, and the shield of our collective security,” Shettima said.