Actress Kate Henshaw has emphasised the need to restrict pupils from having access to mobile phones and social media.
She noted that children are surrounded by screens and it’s becoming harder for them to maintain focus on their studies and character development.
Henshaw delivered Chrisland Schools End-of-Year Lecture in Opebi, Lagos, with the theme: “Appreciating Parents’ and Teachers’ Investments Within Modern-Day Distractions.”
The actress also urged the Federal Government to go the way of Australia which announced a restriction on social media access for under-16s.
“ December 10, the Australian government restricted the use of social media for under-16s.
“I think it’s relatable because we need to talk about how digital tools affect young people, cyberbullying, and the pressure to compare themselves with what they see online,” she said.
“We are living in a digital world. During my time, we didn’t grow up with smartphones and the internet. We had real human connections.
“Children today are surrounded by screens fighting for their attention, and it’s becoming harder for them to focus on their studies and character development,” she said.
Henshaw stressed the need for parents to put their wards in check regarding the use of phones.
“The world on social media is not real. Children start to second-guess themselves, feel unfulfilled, or think they deserve what their friends have without knowing if they even need it. Parents must be present, otherwise the devices will take over,” she added.
Chrisland Schools Director, Mrs Ayoola Akinyeye, said bringing the actress to the school demystifies the social media world and helps the pupils confront the pressures they face.
According to her, pupils’ devices have antivirus software and content filters to block harmful sites,adding that additional filters are installed on the school’s server, with more restrictions preventing them from bypassing controls on their devices.
Akinyeye emphasised the importance of protecting pupils online through collaboration between schools and parents.
“Teenagers will misuse social media; it’s part of their growth. What we do is teach them the dangers and help them build the right habits,” she added.
Omniversity Imperial College has sought a major shift from theory-driven education to practice-based qualifications as a strategy for addressing Nigeria’s skills gap, unemployment challenges, and workforce development needs.
The call was made during an African innovation workshop and practice qualification conferment ceremony held in Lagos, which brought together government officials, industry leaders, academics, and professionals from different sectors.
President and Board Chairman, Prof. Tokunbo Akeredolu-Ale described the gathering as more than a ceremonial event, noting that it was aimed at advancing a new way of thinking about education and development in Africa.
“This is not an event driven by rhetoric,” he said. “It is born out of the reality that Africa needs a new approach—one that is innovative, transformative, and focused on real impact. We are beginning to gather disciples who believe in this cause.”
Delivering the keynote address entitled: “Revolutionising Nigeria’s Education and Workforce Development: Integrating Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL), Competency-Based Education (CBE) and Skill Recognition into the National Education Qualifications Framework,” the institution’s first Professor of Practice and Vice President, Marketing, Prof. Toromade Francis emphasised that Nigeria’s greatest untapped resource is its people.
According to him, millions of Nigerians possess valuable skills acquired through experience but lack formal certification to validate their competence.
“Our biggest wealth is not oil or gas; it is human capital,” he said. “Many people can do the job but cannot prove it on paper. This is the crisis we are here to solve.”
Francis identified key challenges within the education system, including the emphasis on time spent in classrooms rather than competence demonstrated, and the mismatch between theoretical knowledge and industry needs. He explained that Omniversity’s model focuses on recognising skills through competency-based education, and micro-credentials aligned with global standards.
He added that aligning Nigeria’s qualifications framework with continental and global systems would improve workforce mobility, employer confidence, productivity, and economic growth.
Former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Dakuku Peterside, delivered a presentation entitled: “Maritime Skills, Global Workforce Mobility and the Case for Maritime Expertise Validation.”
Peterside noted that Nigeria’s maritime industry remains central to national and global trade, accounting for about 98 per cent of Nigeria’s export activities, while over 70 per cent of global cargo is transported by sea. He stressed that the sector depends heavily on skilled maritime professionals, yet faces a significant shortage of trained personnel.
He explained that maritime skills are critical to economic growth, national security, and job creation, adding that the sector supports thousands of jobs and plays a vital role in oil and gas operations. Peterside further noted that maritime training in Nigeria is regulated by NIMASA in line with international standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
He described practice qualifications as competency-based recognitions that assess real-world expertise and professional impact, noting that such models are already recognised by institutions such as the United States Coast Guard. According to him, Omniversity’s practice qualification framework complements regulatory certification by validating applied knowledge in maritime safety, port operations, navigation, marine engineering, logistics, and administration.
Peterside argued that integrating practice-based qualifications with regulatory systems would enhance global workforce mobility for Nigerian professionals, improve industry credibility, and contribute significantly to the growth of the blue economy.
Other speakers at the event included Dr. Michael Okara, who spoke on personal development using John Maxwell’s 15 Laws of Growth, and Dakuku, who highlighted Nigeria’s alignment with emerging global education trends, particularly in capacity building, maritime skills development, and practice-based qualifications.
Akeredolu-Ale reaffirmed the college’s commitment to repositioning education through skills validation and practice-based learning.
Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), has inducted 125 new Doctors of Optometry at its 30th induction and oath-taking ceremony for the 2023/2024 graduating set, held on 12th December, 2025.
Declaring the ceremony open, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Ndukwe J. Okeudo, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Roseline Ndimele, charged the graduating optometrists to uphold professionalism and remain worthy ambassadors of their alma mater. He described the induction as the beginning of a noble and fulfilling career in healthcare.
The Vice Chancellor, reminded the graduates that society looks up to them to bring light and hope to people with vision challenges. He also appreciated parents, lecturers and other stakeholders who contributed to their training.
Speaking at the event, the Registrar of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN), Dr Obinna Awiaka, described ABSU as the flagship of optometry education in Africa and urged the inductees to strictly adhere to the ethics of the profession.
In separate remarks, the Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof. Chuks Kamanu, represented by Prof. A. A. Nwankwo; the Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Chris Timothy; and the Head of the Department of Optometry, Dr Andrew Omaka, noted that ABSU holds the historic record as the first university in Africa to establish a Faculty of Optometry. They said the induction marked the culmination of years of dedication, perseverance and commitment to academic excellence by the graduates.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor and Administrator of the Eye Health Management Bureau, Dr Betty Emeka-Obasi, highlighted the strides made by Governor Alex Otti, in prioritising eye health in the state. She said the establishment of the Eye Health Management Bureau has strengthened optometry practice and eye care delivery in the state.
The best graduating student, Dr Victoria Nnoli, thanked the university and parents for their support and solid academic foundation, pledging that the graduates would continue to uphold the good image of ABSU.
Former Dean and winner of the Best Lecturer Award in the Faculty of Optometry, Prof. O. C. Ahuama, thanked guests and stakeholders who graced the occasion and urged the new doctors to remain good ambassadors of the university.
Highlights of the ceremony included the administration of the professional oath on the inductees and the presentation of awards to deserving individuals.
A lecturer of Prince Abubakar Audu University has given a detailed eyewitness account of an alleged case of police extortion and abuse of power that occurred during a roadside stop while he was travelling in a commercial bus.
According to the lecturer, the incident occurred when the bus was stopped at a police checkpoint along a major highway in Enugu environ. Police officers reportedly began searching passengers and their belongings.
He stated that one of the passengers, identified as a 200-level Law student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), was singled out after officers allegedly found nothing incriminating on him. The officers reportedly proceeded to search the student’s mobile phone and claimed that an application found on it linked him to cyber fraud.
The lecturer said he intervened to question the basis of the allegation. Following this, he was allegedly described by the officers as an accomplice to the supposed offence. Both the student and the lecturer were then informed that they would be taken to a police station for further investigation.
However, the lecturer stated that instead of proceeding to any station, the officers stopped midway and continued their checks. During this period, the officers reportedly examined the student’s mobile banking applications and discovered a balance of N98,000 in one account and N1,000 in another.
According to the lecturer, the student was pressured and intimidated into taking an instant loan to up the money to N200,000 through a mobile application. The loan was reportedly withdrawn through a nearby Point-of-Sale (POS) operator and handed over to the officers.
The lecturer further alleged that the officers then demanded a sum of N500,000 from him. He said he informed them that he did not have such an amount and requested the return of his phone, explaining that he had an urgent matter to attend to. While making a phone call, the officers reportedly listened in and questioned him about his profession.
He mentioned that upon stating that he is a doctor, the officers’ attitude changed noticeably. They became more respectful and subsequently allowed both him and the student to return to the bus and continue their journey.
As of the time of filing this report, the identities of the officers involved and the police formation responsible for the checkpoint have not been established. Attempts to obtain official comment from the victim was unsuccessful.
The lecturer stated that he made the account in good faith and is willing to provide further details, including the location and timing of the incident, to relevant authorities if required. The incident has once again raised public concern over allegations of extortion and rights violations at highway checkpoints, particularly during festive travel periods.
The event which was held in Abuja, last week, saw Founder & CEO of Erumedia Group and Erumedia Charity Trust, Ayobami Eruobami, inducted into the professional body of all public relations practitioners in the country.
The induction by NIPR marks a significant milestone in Eruobami’s professional journey, officially recognizing his contributions to the field of public relations and communications. As Nigeria continues to raise the bar for PR excellence and ethical professional standards, his induction underscores his commitment to those standards and to the ongoing development of the industry.
Ayobami Eruobami is a dynamic and forward-thinking PR executive, communications strategist, and entrepreneur. He is best known as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Erumedia Group a leading PR, media relations, media management and brand strategy firm and the founder of Erumedia Charity Trust, a philanthropic initiative focused on empowering marginalised communities, SMEs, and vulnerable individuals via media visibility, branding support, and capacity-building programmes.
In 2025, Ayobami Eruobami was listed among Nigeria’s emerging leaders under the age of 40 in the prestigious Nigeria 40 Under 40 Awards, a testament to his drive, creativity, and influence in public relations, media management, and social impact.
Under his leadership, Erumedia Group was officially shortlisted for the highly respected BusinessDay SME 100 Awards 2025, highlighting the company’s growing influence, innovation, and contribution to Nigeria’s economic development.
His firm, Erumedia Group has built a solid track record over the past several years reportedly managing multiple brands and activating several personal branding initiatives for prominent Individuals and distributing multiple press media kits for clients across sectors.
Recognised internationally, Ayobami is a member of the ForbesBLK Community, an indication of his global outlook and commitment to professional excellence.
In a statement by the inductee said: “Being inducted into the NIPR is not just an honour it is a responsibility. My journey in public relations and media strategy has always been guided by a deep belief in the power of communication to inform, unite, project and uplift. With this induction, I recommit to excellence, transparency, and service not just to clients, but to communities, to young entrepreneurs, and to Nigeria’s growth story.”
Upon receiving the certificate presented to him by the President of NIPR Dr Ike Neliaku, who serves as the Chairman of the council, he added that the recognition will further motivate his firm to intensify efforts in media training, brand development, and inclusive community outreach.
NIPR is Nigeria’s statutory professional body for public relations practitioners, committed to upholding professional standards, ethics, and continuous development in the communications industry. Membership and induction into NIPR is widely regarded as a badge of honour and professional credibility for PR practitioners across Nigeria.
CodeFest Africa Hackathon is an annual flagship event organised by Codefest Africa, a digital innovation ecosystem dedicated to bridging the gap between education, technology, and employment across the continent by empowering young developers, designers, innovators, and tech enthusiasts primarily from Nigeria, and Africa to collaborate on building scalable digital solutions for real-world challenges.
With the theme: “Build for Nigeria”,it was a massive virtual event which attracted over 5,000 individual participants drawn from different local and foreign tertiary institutions to include, University of Lagos (UNILAG); Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU); Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana; Ahmadu Bello University (ABU Zaria); University of Nigeria (Nsukka); Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA); University of Benin (UNIBEN); University of Ibadan (UI); and LASUSTECH, among others.
The over 5,000 participants which were organised into more than 100 developer teams of young innovators, designers, developers, and tech enthusiasts, collaborated on prototypes aimed at addressing 24 real-world challenges across six sectors which are fintech, agriculture, health, education, climate change and open innovation, with a technological emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI), web/app development, and blockchain.
The LASUSTECH’s team, known as Vitalink, included, Joshua Onyeka (Computer Science, 300-level), Ohieku Eneji Peacemaker (Mechatronics Engineering, 400-level), Ituma Chidi Moses (Computer Science, 300-level), and Makanjuola Emmanuel Iseoluwa (Computer Science, 300-level).
Their winning innovation is a custom wearable device capable of live data streaming of vital signs such as ECG and SpO. It was designed so well to the amazement of the judges who praised the project for its originality, technical competence, and practical potential, thus, landing them into triumph.
Reacting to the victory, the Vitalink team leader, Onyeka, expressed joy over the victory which he described as “a great achievement”, adding that it was a materialisation of hardwork.
In his words: “I felt really excited and honestly a bit shocked. It was a big achievement for me, and knowing that our hard work paid off, made the moment even more special.
“There were many teams, about 100 of them, that participated. But only 12 teams were shortlisted. Out of those, just 3 made it to the finals, including us.
“Our project was a solution designed to make reading and recording of patient vitals easier, stress free and more efficient. We built it to help in the tele-health section by building a remote patient monitoring system.
“I think the “wow” factor was how simple but effective our solution was, and how accurate it worked in predicting health vitals using our own trained AI models.
“We focused on solving a real problem in a practical way, and we presented it clearly, so the judges could see its impact immediately. And because we also built a working hardware and prototype, that sealed everything,” he disclosed.
Reflecting on the tough times and rigours of the project and how it was managed, he explained however, that,
“The hardest moment was when our application app crashed, the internet was very slow, we ran out of time, a feature wasn’t working we handled it by staying calm, focusing on the solution, and dividing the tasks among ourselves so we could fix it quickly,” he said.
He thanked LASUSTECH for providing the ambience that encouraged learning, collaboration and innovation, acknowledging the support from their various lecturers and friends which served as the motivating factor to success. He also expressed gratitude to CodeFest Africa for organising the event which he described as an opportunity to learn, compete, and grow.
Meanwhile, receiving the students who presented their project prototype and the N2.5 million prize cheque in his office, the Vice Chancellor of LASUSTECH, Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, congratulated the team, describing their success as a proud moment for the institution. He urged them to refine the prototype and explore opportunities for further development.
This piece is a rejoinder to Professor Abiodun Ojo, illusory exposition. He is the Provost, College of Post Graduate Studies, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD). His writeup is titled “The New Certificate Craze: How Politicians are Quietly Eroding Academic Standards in Nigerian Universities”.
Ordinarily I would have taken such illusory exposition as a fiction but because of the strangulating, targeted nature of the exposition, I am forced to put up a rejoinder because this exposition is deliberately calculated to:
From the beginning to the end the writeup is designed and driven with the aim of tarnishing the image of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative, National Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria. It was certainly not about system reset.
Mislead the public opinion that political office holders are incapable of genuinely acquiring academic Ph.Ds. qualifications without fraudulent manipulations. The obvious target being the Deputy Speaker and the political class.
Give the impression that Nigerian Universities are awarding Ph.Ds. degree certificates to politicians who have not met the required standards or have circumvented laid down process and procedures.
Say that the political class is incapable of engaging rigorous academic exercise like every other class of the Nigerian society. This is not only a fallacy but a delusion of extreme order.
For the benefit of doubt Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative, National Assembly is academically very sound. Before enrolling for a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Strategic Studies at the University of Abuja (now Yakubu Gowon University), he possesses an impressive academic profile:
Bachelor of Law (LL. B) University of Calabar.
Master of Law (LL.M) in Terrorism and Humanitarian Law (with Distinction) from University of Calabar.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Oxford Brookes University.
Various certifications from renowned institutions like Harvard Kenedy School, University of Oxford and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).
It is unfortunate that before Professor Abiodun Ojo embarked on his repugnant writeup he failed to verify the fact. I dare state that Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative is a sound scholar by any standard. I say this without fear of contradiction. This is because I was his External Examiner and I can attest to the capacity and capability of the human material I interacted with. He not only possesses the capacity to scholarly and provocatively defend his empirical opinion but also intellectually interrogate traditional, conservative and contemporary school of thoughts in a new world order. Consequently, I challenge Professor Abiodun Ojo to pick up a copy of his Ph.D thesis and evaluate it if it is not standard enough for external examination. I also challenge him to come out with a proof that Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative was not a Ph.D. student at Abuja Leadership Center, University of Abuja for a minimum period of three years.
Let it be clear that he not only met the requirement for admission into the degree programme but diligently attended classes and participated in other activities connected with the completion of the programme. It is also pertinent to state that he was in the programme for about four (4) years and not five (5) months as Professor Abiodun Ojo dubiously want the World to believe. His lecturers and classmates are there to be interviewed about his class participation, examinations, and internal and external defense.
Let us evaluate Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative on Professor Abiodun Ojo criteria:
Did he by-pass the timeline? The answer is no. At the University of Abuja where I examined him as the External Examiner, he spent over three (3) years of rigorous study.
Did the Supervisors adjust expectations? The answer is again no. The thesis is there for anybody to verify.
Were internal checks weakened? No. The relevant internal approval units approved; the relevant possesses was adhered to; and he presented his seminar papers, proposal and field work for both internal and external defense.
Did political pressure override academic independence? No, he was even very careful not to reveal his identity. On the day of his defense, his security details were asked to leave the hall and none of his political friends and colleagues were there to witness his defense.
Was the admission requirement followed? Yes. His file is there for anyone to peruse and verify.
Did he complete the course work? Yes, he did, he wrote and passed the prescribed courses. The records are there for anyone to verify.
Was the proposal approved through the correct chain? Yes. There was a proposal development, presentation and approval in a rigorous internal defense conducted by the Abuja Leadership Center.
Was the External Examination conducted? Yes, with the approval of the Postgraduate School. I was the External Examiner. In attendance was the Postgraduate School Representative, Internal Examiner, his supervisor, other academics in the center (Professors Inclusive), the Director of the Center and his course mates and other students of the center. He was examined in the open and not behind closed doors.
Is there any law (statutory or quasi) that prohibit a student enrolling in two different universities in Nigeria? None.
As I pounder over what should have given rise to the despicable writeup, I am forced to question the rational for the illusionary exposition that was disguised as an attempt to cleanup a systemic decay. The emerging questions are:
Is Professor Abiodun having an axe to grind with Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative.
Was Professor Abiodun Ojo simply writing out of conviction for a systemic cleanup? If yes why the undue concentration on the person of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative: an articulate and hardworking middle age politician.
Was Professor Abiodun Ojo paid to dance naked in the market place: this appears to be the case. My candid opinion is that there is the need to caution him not to bring politics into the classroom. Questioning the status quo will provide answers to these questions.
Professor Akongbowa Bramwell Amadasun, Professor of Public Administration and Political Economy,
A professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Olalekan Asikhia, has urged higher institutions to redesign curricula to meet national needs, foster human‑capital development, promote modern economic sectors, and support social‑economic mobility.
Professor Asikhia, the Vice Chancellor of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, who delivered the 57th inaugural lecture of Babcock University, held at the main campus in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, said universities across the country have a decisive role to play in reducing poverty and stimulating economic growth.
In his lecture themed, “It is Time For Functional Businesses to Kill Poverty In Africa, he said universities can empower individuals to break the cycle of poverty by designing curricula that meet national needs.
He said this approach not only prepares graduates for the dynamic demands of the modern economy but also positions universities as pivotal contributors to national competitiveness and economic development.
To achieve this, he recommends that universities must go beyond traditional teaching and research to become active engines of entrepreneurship and innovation hubs.
He noted that these multifaceted roles position universities as “Critical agents in Nigeria’s transition from a resource‑dependent economy to a knowledge‑driven society.”
Citing a three‑dimensional approach of scientific, educational, and cultural poverty alleviation, Prof. Asikhia said that from a scientific perspective, university‑led research and technological innovation can generate practical solutions for economic challenges in impoverished regions.
He explained that educational poverty alleviation aims to improve access to quality education for disadvantaged groups, provide financial support, and nurture intellectual and vocational skills to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
The cultural dimension, he added, emphasizes “promoting values, fostering social cohesion, and encouraging innovative thinking that drives sustainable community development and empowers individuals toward lasting prosperity.”
In his recommendations, Prof. Asikhia called for collaboration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to register student start‑ups and enable them to operate while still in school.
He stressed the need for flexible curricula that align with the National University Commission (NUC) guidelines, adding, “This speaks to the need for flexible curricula that are in tandem with the National University Commission (NUC). Student entrepreneurs should be empowered to overcome traditional resource constraints, reduce operational costs, and access global markets.”
He also highlighted the importance of university‑led research that addresses socio‑economic challenges and community‑service initiatives that directly benefit local populations.
“The presence of higher institutions of learning in a community should foster a unique environment where innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration thrive,” he said.
“Universities should serve as incubators for start‑ups, providing resources such as research facilities, mentorship, and access to funding within the community,” he said.
Aside from these, he submitted that business owners should think beyond profit-making to building start-ups as well as providing viable platforms for a university-industry collaboration, which will provide students with the relevant exposure to real-world industry practices, thereby equipping them with the essential 21st century skills and increasing their employability.
“This symbiotic relationship between universities and local businesses enhances job creation and stimulates economic growth,” he added.
Similarly, he drew attention to the need to collaborate with the universities for poverty alleviation, a movement that represents a coordinated global approach to integrate poverty reduction into their core missions through education, research, and social impact.
“This global network underscores the evolving role of higher education institutions beyond traditional teaching and research, positioning them as key players in societal transformation,” he said.
The lecturer emphasised the urgent need for Nigerian universities to adopt a more proactive, market‑oriented approach to equip graduates with the skills and mindset necessary for self‑reliance and societal advancement.
The Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI), Abeokuta, Ogun State, is set for its maiden convocation lecture, billed for December 13.
The institute noted that the Guest speaker is Prof. Banji Oyelarin-Oyeyinka, Senior Special Adviser on Industrialisation, African Development Bank Group.
The lecture has the theme: “Leadership and Economic Development.”
It noted that the convocation lecture will connect lessons from Singapore’s institutional excellence and Africa’s innovation imperative to practical pathways for inclusive industrialisation and human-centred growth.
Sequel to the event, OOLI announced highlights from its recently concluded leadership training sessions featuring Vice President for Social and Economic Development, International Leadership Foundation (ILF); Dr Victor A. Koh, and Founder and President, International Leadership Foundation (ILF), Prof. Delanyo Adadavoh, among other outstanding international resource persons and facilitators.
Their lectures—on transforming leadership and governance and Africa’s resource-powered future—set the stage for OOLI’s Maiden Convocation Lecture.
The institute remains committed to its mission of equipping values-driven leaders to translate vision into measurable socio-economic outcomes, among others.
The career prospects of students of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) have received a major boost as the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) announced a robust package of funding support, training programmes, and career pathways aimed at grooming young professionals for Nigeria’s financial markets.
The CIS delegation, led by its Registrar/CEO, Mr. Ayo Adeonipekun, who represented the President and Chairman of Council, Mr. Oloropo Dada, visited the institution to address senior management and students on the opportunities available through the Institute’s certification programmes.
Speaking at the session, the Registrar described YABATECH as “Nigeria’s first tertiary institution and an enduring symbol of academic excellence,” noting that the visit forms part of the Institute’s drive to build a vibrant pipeline of young professionals for the capital market. He explained that the CIS- established by Act 105 of 1992 – offers globally recognized certifications that open doors to unlimited career opportunities locally and internationally.
He highlighted two key certification routes: the flagship CIS Professional Examination and the Certified Securities and Investment Support Specialist (CSISS) examination, both now fully digitised and accessible to candidates anywhere in the world.
He added that the syllabus has recently been expanded to include emerging areas such as digital assets, cryptocurrency, and blockchain-based investment models, in line with the Federal Government’s 2025 digital economy agenda.
In a development that excited many students, the Registrar announced that CIS is intensifying efforts to provide financial support for young Nigerians who wish to pursue the certification but are constrained by funding.
He revealed that an endowment-based support scheme is being designed in collaboration with industry employers and CIS alumni, as he personally committed to sponsoring at least three YABATECH students annually through his foundation.
Other members of the CIS delegation reinforced this commitment. They disclosed that several partner organizations are willing to fund examinations for qualified students, citing the example of a company currently financing 10 students from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) who have met the required academic standard.
Responding, the Rector, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, praised the institute for its forward-looking initiatives and expressed the college’s readiness to expand collaboration with CIS in curriculum development, co-teaching arrangements, and industry immersion programmes.
He disclosed plans to introduce an institutional loan/grant scheme to support students seeking professional certifications and appealed to CIS to consider rebate-based encouragement to ease the financial burden.
The rector emphasized that industry engagement is crucial to restoring students’ confidence in education amid increasing distractions.
“The youth of today need inspiration,” he said. “We want professionals from the industry to come into our classrooms and show them the real possibilities that education and certification can unlock.”
Dr Abdul noted that YABATECH recently produced students who qualified for major professional examinations while still in school, stressing that more can be achieved through strengthened partnerships and student-focused incentives.
The CIS delegation, in their final remarks, assured the rector of continued support through scholarships, training via the CIS Academy, mentorship, retirement planning sessions for staff, and industry placements for outstanding students.
