The Nation Newspaper

Category: Education

  • Council seeks FG’s intervention over bad roads in Fed Poly Ayede

    Council seeks FG’s intervention over bad roads in Fed Poly Ayede

    The Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State has requested urgent intervention of Federal Government and Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde over poor access roads preventing relocation of the institution to its permanent site. 

    The council lamented that despite completion of major facilities at the institution’s permanent site, students and staff are unable to access them due to deplorable road conditions.

    Speaking during an inspection visit to the institution’s Centre for Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (CSAED) in Onipaanu, Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo state, Chairman of the Council, Hon. Yakubu Dati noted that lack of motorable roads from Idi Araba, Oolo and Odo-Oba axes remained critical obstacle to movement of the institution to its permanent site in Ayede, Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area.

    According to him: “We are appealing to the Federal Government, and we, as council members, will also use our networks and contacts to reach out to relevant stakeholders to assist with construction of roads to the permanent site. We have been there and we are quite impressed with the facilities provided there.”

    Dati, a three-term commissioner, former Special Assistant on Media and Political Affairs to the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry disclosed that 13 key projects have been completed at the permanent site, including an administrative block, urban and regional planning complex, library, medical centre, and gatehouse, among others. 

    He lamented that the institution cannot fully utilise the investments without immediate road intervention.

    He also acknowledged the support of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, who visited the permanent site and promised to champion efforts to attract development to the area. 

    Rector of the institution, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, assured the host community that the institution was determined to move to the permanent site despite the challenges. 

    He said: “The Ayede community should not entertain any fear whatsoever. We are determined. This crop of management team, led by my humble self, is working assiduously to ensure that all barriers are surmounted,” he said.

    Abdul-Hameed expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Education, and heads of agencies like NBTE and TETFund for their support. 

    He also commended his management team, students and staff for their commitment to the school’s vision. 

    Director of CSAED, Mr. Oluwaseun Owojori, said the centre currently offers NBTE-approved programmes in electrical installation, plumbing and interior decoration, with plans to introduce garment making and social media communication. 

  • Sad stories of out-of-school children reflect a systematic exclusion – UI Don

    Sad stories of out-of-school children reflect a systematic exclusion – UI Don

    A Professor of Family Law at the University of Ibadan, Osifunke Ekundayo, has described the sad stories of out of school children as a reflection of a systematic exclusion.

    She made this assertion while delivering the 580th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ibadan on behalf of the Faculty of Law.

    The lecture was entitled: “Speaking Up for the Numerous Voiceless Children Shut Out of School in Nigeria: An Endless Odyssey?.”

    Professor Ekundayo explained that ensuring access and completion of primary education for every child in Nigeria is the responsibility of the state, adding that, the state must ensure that primary education is available, accessible, acceptable and adaptable for all children.

    The don stated that quality education is critical to addressing human rights abuses and ensuring that no child is left behind.

    However, Prof. Ekundayo lamented that poverty is a recurring reason for non-completion of primary school education in Nigeria.

    She particularly attributed the truncation of children’s primary education to the evidenced surging costs of schooling, saying that while the importance of education is emphasized in international and regional human rights framework, the Nigerian government needs to channel its constitution towards the realization of the child’s right to basic education by providing access to quality education.

    She noted that Nigeria has made attempts to implement the inherent right to free and compulsory primary education for all children, albeit there are still several challenges being encountered by disadvantaged children.

    Read Also: ‘10m out-of-school pupils for classrooms within two years’

    The inaugural lecturer identified such challenges as poverty, conflicts, cultural beliefs, insufficient funding, and lack of substantive provision to guarantee the right to free and compulsory primary education in the Nigerian constitution amongst others.

    She reiterated that to ensure that all children have unhindered access to education, abolition of school fees would not be about the tuition fees alone, but the wide range of costs of schooling borne by families and households. 

    The don emphasized the need for a constitutional amendment that would incorporate a substantial right to free and compulsory basic education and empower the citizens to enforce the right judicially.

    She said, for Nigeria to comply with international human rights standards on education, the state needs to be willing to recognize the right constitutionally and prioritize its resources accordingly.

    She advised that at the policy level, the government’s commitment to ensuring that the child’s right to education is assured is necessary and recommended that the state should demonstrate this through the establishment of a sustainable financial framework.

    The Inaugural Lecturer called for an overhauling of the management and administration of education, monitoring of state government expenditure, and constitutional provisions for financing education, which should also cover the award of scholarships to the indigent students.

    Professor Ekundayo reiterated that access to quality education will serve the developmental interests of children, adding that when children do not have access to a school with good quality education, they risk losing the opportunity to develop their full potential and access other human rights.

    She emphasized that one of the greatest investments a country could make in its economic future is an investment in the education of its children, as this will eventually lead to production of indigenous skilled manpower in the country.

    She explained that denial of primary education is a violation of the customary rights of children and advocated for the recognition of children’s right to education and a translation of the right to actual practice.

    The Inaugural Lecture was the third in the series for the 2024/2025 academic session.

  • Why TETFUND will not be scrapped, by Education Minister

    Why TETFUND will not be scrapped, by Education Minister

    The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has described the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) as a cornerstone of development in the nation’s tertiary institutions, noting that the agency will not be scrapped in the Tax Reform Bill.

    Alausa spoke on Friday in Lagos at a one-day Strategic Engagement with Heads of Institutions, Bursars, and Heads of Procurement of Beneficiary Institutions organised by TETFUND.

    The Minister allayed the fears of many stakeholders in the education space that TETFUND will be scrapped, stressing that President Bola Tinubu has approved more funding for the agency with 50 per cent development levy inclusive.

    Alausa said: “TETFund’s unwavering efforts in improving access, infrastructure and academic capacity across the nation tertiary education landscape deserve commendation.

    “TETFUND will continue into eternity. The president has worked with the National Assembly on various amendments to the tax law.

    The Fund has saved our tertiary institutions; if they maximise the funds they get effectively, they will be able to compete with other global institutions. It has remained a cornerstone in the nation’s tertiary institutions.”

    The Minister also warned underperforming institutions in the utilisation of TETFUND funds, saying any institution that consistently underperforms and fails to meet enrollment benchmarks, or violates procurement protocols, risks being delisted as a TETFUND beneficiary.

    Read Also: TETFUND applauds TASUED for project implementation

    He described it as a necessary measure to protect the integrity of the intervention framework and ensure equity in resource distribution.

    Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Sonny Echono, said the focus for the 2025 intervention cycle is anchored on consolidation and sustainability, stressing that priority has been placed on the completion of existing and abandoned projects, infrastructural rehabilitation, and the establishment of innovation hubs and entrepreneurship development centres.

    Echono said, despite suspending the foreign scholarship component, TETFUND remains committed to enhancing the skills and capacity of academic staff.

    He noted that the Fund continues to place emphasis on locally driven academic development programmes and professional development, ensuring that scholars can continue to receive top-tier training, albeit within a more manageable cost framework.

    He said to address sectoral challenges, the Fund has established two dedicated committees, the Committee on Power and the Committee on Special High Impact (SHIP) to Medical Colleges, to address critical issues in these sectors.

    According to him, the Committee on Power focuses on improving energy infrastructure in institutions, while the Committee on SHIP to Medical colleges concentrates on enhancing the facilities and capacity to increase the intake of students. 

    He said 18 universities have benefited from this Special High Impact Projects aimed at improving medical training infrastructure.

  • Don seeks legislation on free, compulsory basic education

    Don seeks legislation on free, compulsory basic education

    A Professor of Private and Property Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Osifunke Ekundayo, has said there should be a constitutional amendment that will incorporate substantial rights to free and compulsory basic education for Nigerian children across the nation.

    She stated that this would empower the populace to judicially enforce such right and enable courts in Nigeria to uphold the right of children to free education.

    Speaking while delivering the 580th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ibadan (UI) titled: “Speaking up for the numerous voiceless children shut out of school in Nigeria, an endless Odyssey”, Ekundayo maintained that there is need for will and vision, better management and administration of education in schools across the country.

    Ekundayo warned that depriving children from having basic education can mortgage the future of the country.

    She said government must ensure every child has access to basic education and no child is left behind.

    Read Also: Union decries neglect of teacher education

    She lamented that Nigeria has the largest number of out-of-school children in the world because it is estimated that one in every five out-of-school children around the globe is in Nigeria. 

    According to her: “Only 61 percent of children between the ages of 6 to 11 years attend primary school regularly. 10.2 million children of primary school age are out of school.

    “Realising that in the 21st century, children in Nigeria still encounter formidable constraints in their efforts to enrol in and attend primary school, I recognised that there is an urgent need to analyse the constraints that keep large numbers of children out of school and advocate that primary education should be free from financial obstacles so that all children in Nigeria can go to school.”

  • JAMB sends rescheduled UTME dates, centres to candidates

    JAMB sends rescheduled UTME dates, centres to candidates

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will today begin the rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for candidates affected by technical and human errors during the initial exercise.

    The Nation reports that the examination body yesterday sent notices for the retake of the hampered UTME to the affected candidates.

    Candidates in Lagos, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Abia states have begun receiving SMS notifications on the date, time and centres for the rescheduled examination.

    A total of 379,997 candidates are expected to participate in the rescheduled examination, following the glitches that marred the original test sessions.

    READ ALSO: FULL LIST: Six states where candidates affected by JAMB error will retake UTME exams

    According to JAMB’s text messages, the rescheduled examination will hold today, tomorrow, and Monday.

    The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, who addressed reporters on Wednesday in Abuja on the errors, acknowledged that a combination of human and technological hiccups led to the disruptions in the conduct of this year’s UTME.

    The board, however, ruled out sabotage, assuring the public that it was taking corrective measures to ensure a smooth rescheduled UTME.

    Also, prominent Nigerians and institutions have been pouring encomiums on Prof. Oloyede for admitting the errors and taking decisive steps to correct the anomaly.

    Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has praised Oloyede for his forthright admission of technical glitches that marred the examination.

    In a statement yesterday, Obi described Oloyede’s open acknowledgment of the fault and his expression of remorse as “a rare but commendable display of accountability” in Nigeria’s public institution.

    He lauded JAMB’s swift response to the errors, stressing the need for systemic reforms and stronger safeguards to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

    Also, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) applauded JAMB for admitting to its errors in the just-concluded 2025 UTME.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the agency hailed JAMB for what it called exceptional transparency and accountability in addressing the challenges that followed the recently released results.

    Also, the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) has declared full support for Oloyede over the technical errors.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its Chairman, Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, JEOG praised the Registrar for his “candour, courage, and transparency” in responding to public concerns and in detailing the technical errors that affected some examination centres.

    Also, the management of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) applauded Oloyede for accepting responsibility on the recent glitch that marred this year’s UTME.

    Reacting to the development, the UNILORIN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), said: “Only a conscientious, sincere, and courageous leader with genuine compassion for the welfare of the people he serves could openly take responsibility for an incident surrounding the service delivery of an organisation he heads but which glitch was not due to his personal negligence.”

    The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) sympathised with the candidates affected by the errors.

    Reacting to the development yesterday in Abuja, COEASU President, Dr. Smart Olugbeko, said: “…The recent errors highlight the limitations of technology and the need for diligence and care in its deployment.”

  • College of Education curriculum must accommodate ICT to improve teaching – NIWA boss

    College of Education curriculum must accommodate ICT to improve teaching – NIWA boss

    The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, has advocated for technological innovations in teachers’ training to enable them to compete globally in education.

    He also called for a periodic review of the Nigerian Colleges of Education curriculum to incorporate modern information and communication technology teaching innovations, aiming to improve the quality of teacher training in Nigeria.

    He noted that the current generation, particularly those aged 5 to 30, heavily depends on technology as a lifestyle, and to get the best out of them, Nigeria’s method of teaching must pursue technological innovation for national development.

    Oyebamiji, in a statement, revealed this during his opening remarks as the Chairman of the National Education Summit organised by the National Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education (NANCES) at the Federal College of Education in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with the theme: Bridging the Gap and Ensuring Equitable Access to Education.

    According to him, “Education is a major tool to exit the circle of poverty and criminality and to improve the quality of our education system in Nigeria, stakeholders, including the federal government and state government and private sector, must recognise the current reality by investing more on technological training to equip our teachers with modern skills in ICT.

    Read Also: Union decries neglect of teacher education

    The lifestyle of our younger generation revolves around technology. The majority are using mobile phones and computers for 8 to 10 hours daily on average; therefore, if we must get the best out of them, we must converge with them at that technological space.”

    NIWA boss lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the NELFUND initiative which has significantly provided equitable access to education and reduced the tuition fee burden on the parents.

    He disclosed that he also conferred an Award of Excellence in Nigeria Inland Water Safety and Infrastructural Development which was received by his representative, Executive Director, Engineering Services, Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority, Eng Kayode Sowade.

    Speaking earlier, the President of NANCES, Comrade Egunjobi Samuel, described the NIWA boss as an exceptional leader who is committed to the growth of the younger generation, especially the student community.

    He said the association has monitored his political trajectory since he was MD of OSICOL in Osun State and as a two-term commissioner, and, just recently, as the MD/CEO of NIWA, adding that Oyebamiji has distinguished himself as an honest, committed, and result-oriented leader

    The patron of the association and Provost, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Dr Rafiu Adekola, said NELFUND is one of the best interventions that have happened to tertiary education in Nigeria, urging the student to maximise the opportunity to access higher education.

  • TETFUND applauds TASUED for project implementation

    TETFUND applauds TASUED for project implementation

    The Southwest Zone of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has commended the management of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, for its effective utilisation of TETFund allocations and the high quality of executed projects.

    The commendation was given by the Chairman of TETFund’s Board of Trustees for the Southwest Zone, Hon. Sunday Adepoju, during a recent familiarisation and project inspection visit to the institution.

    Hon. Adepoju praised the university’s strict adherence to TETFund standards, stating that both the completed and ongoing projects reflect excellent quality and proper management.

    He expressed delight at visiting the TASUED campus for the first time, admitting that he had previously underestimated the institution, believing it to be just another College of Education. 

    However, after touring the facilities and witnessing the university’s academic and vocational strides, he described TASUED as a truly 21st-century university.

    “I am very pleased with what I’ve seen here. Let me state it categorically, there are no abandoned projects here in TASUED, in fact because of the COVID 19 pandemic, there had to be upward review of the cost of some of the projects and the University Management had to raise money from internally generated funds to complete the projects, am impressed”, Hon Adepoju noted.

    “If I had my way, I would propose that TASUED be renamed the *Federal University of Technical Education*, because the institution is clearly a pacesetter for other Universities, particularly in the area of vocational training. I am truly impressed by what I’ve seen, and I am deeply interested,” he added.

    Hon. Adepoju explained that the purpose of the visit was not only to familiarise the team with TASUED’s environment, but also to evaluate how previously disbursed funds have been utilised.

    He added that it was also to assess the institution’s maintenance culture, identify any abandoned or ongoing projects, and determine what steps could be taken to ensure timely completion and greater impact.

    Hon Adepoju reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to revitalise the Education sector through several policy initiatives and programmes under the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’

    He assured the University Community that he would continue to provide effective leadership and work to foster national unity while advocating for equitable development, particularly across the Southwest zone.

    The visit by the TETFund delegation offered an assessment of the implementation and impact of its funded projects within the University.

    Read Also: Reps consider inter-varsity centres as beneficiaries of TETFund’s financial support

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwole Banjo, welcomed the Chairman of the Southwest Zone, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board of Trustees, Hon. Sunday Adepoju, who led a delegation on a familiarisation and project inspection visit to the institution.

    The Vice-Chancellor expressed profound appreciation to the visiting team for their continued support and strategic interventions, which, he noted, have significantly contributed to the growth of the University and to the development of Education in Nigeria at large.

    He emphasised that the Fund’s commitment to infrastructural development, capacity building and research support has enhanced TASUED’s ability to deliver on its core mandate.

    Other Principal Officers who accompanied Prof. Banjo to receive the guests were the Registrar, Mr. Dapo Oke, FCIA, MANUPA; the Bursar, Mr. Kabiru Ogunleye, FCAI; the Acting Librarian, Mr. Omotayo Quadri; the Director, Works & Services, Mr. Sunday Williams, among others

    On the entourage of the TETFund team were Engr. Taiwo Lukman, the Southwest Zonal Coordinator, and Arch. Musa Okunlola.

  • UTME: JAMB registrar demonstrated maturity, good leadership – Prof. Badejo

    UTME: JAMB registrar demonstrated maturity, good leadership – Prof. Badejo

    Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has  demonstrated maturity and good leadership by admitting that something went wrong with the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    “He readily showed empathy by agreeing truly that there was failure in the system and took responsibility, with corrective follow-up actions.

    “Currently, what should be key are preventive solutions, such that there is no future recurrence of the underperformance at UTME,” a political scientist and lawyer,  Prof.  Babafemi Badejo, said.

    Badejo, a former Deputy Special Representative for the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, spoke in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.

    “Despite the uproar over the 2025 UTME, it is important to recognise the integrity-driven leadership of Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, who has consistently fought corruption and pushed for reforms.

    “However, even strong leadership needs to be adaptive and listen to the cries of the people,” he said.

    He urged JAMB to continue fine-tune its operations to deliver excellently.

    “It is good that the public reaction has met with responsible action from JAMB in this case. 

    “A calm, evidence-based review of  the 2025 UTME is not only necessary, it is urgent,” he said.

    Badejo said that Nigeria required massive digital literacy campaigns in secondary schools, especially rural ones.

    “The 774 local governments, with more funding expected to result from the autonomy they are expected to have under the present dispensation, should invest in computer-based modern libraries.

    “Private entities could also be encouraged to spend some of their corporate social responsibility  funds on setting up computer-based libraries.  

    “Computer Based Test (CBT) simulation workshops should become mandatory for all candidates before Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), and similar examinations,” he said.

    He added that an independent audit of CBT centres and software providers should be a regular duty of regulatory bodies, including JAMB.

    “There has been a lot of brouhaha over the 2025 UTME results.

    “Over two million candidates registered for the examination and about 1. 94 million sat for it.

    “Over 75 per cent ( over 1.5 million) scored below 200. This development has not gone down well with parents and candidates who took to social media to express outrage,”  he said.

    The professor said that the 2025 UTME had become one of the most controversial in recent history.

    According to him, the controversy is  not just due to the number of candidates who scored below 200, but because of the complaints revolving around the efficiency of the system and the credibility of the results.

    “The problem also raises critical questions about the examination process, integrity and educational equity,” he said.

    He noted that the controversy was resulting in efforts aimed at understanding what could have gone wrong, if anything was indeed wrong.

    “The 2025 UTME imbroglio throws up several issues that have been yearning for solutions.

    “There has to be more readiness in embracing digital-only examinations, both on the part of the examining agencies, service providers and the service users or candidates.

    “For instance, some supervisors noticed system malfunctions at CBT centres, freezing screens, login problems, and loss of answers.

    “Some candidates were reportedly logged out without submitting or could not navigate between subjects,” he said.

    He said that those were no faults of the candidates.

    “Many candidates, especially from rural or low-income backgrounds, lacked basic computer literacy.

    “A supervisor’s report highlighted that some candidates didn’t know how to operate a keyboard or mouse, much less navigate the CBT interface.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu hails JAMB registrar

    “In simple terminology, technological illiteracy or, at best, semi-illiteracy is yearning for solutions.

    “Not many candidates or customers of JAMB grew up with the advantage of using computers as an everyday life item,” he said.

    He said there had to be some middle ground for inclusivity.

    “However, the answer is not to opt out of technological change but to come up with answers on how to democratise the availability of knowledge on technological change –  the change that is spreading in our world to all Nigerian children who are actively motivated towards education.

    “Though JAMB could play a role in deploying some of its earnings for such a purpose, the answer should involve society and its governance structures at large.

    “We must be more intentional with issues that affect the destinies and future of young Nigerians,” he said.

    He urged that UTME  should not just be seen as a mere exercise, but as a very important platform – an  important platform through which future technocrats and the crop of people who would take over the skilled manpower machinery of the country are practically filtered. 

    (NAN)

  • This Trial of Brother Oloyede

    This Trial of Brother Oloyede

    By Professor Tunde Akanni 

    It’s been traumatic for my entire family since that video started making the rounds. I sneaked a slight view… It’s our trial. It’s my trial. Oloyede is genuine. He is most sincere. He is modestly so as well. For us, however, Allah knows best.

    I was with a trader in the afternoon of what I considered a dark Wednesday, the 14th of May 2025. “Se bi won ni JAMB o get mo bayi…”. I had to cut in immediately. Which JAMB? “Madam, that’s one person I will vouch, and vouch for…zero tolerance for corruption. Absolutely responsible with a high level of consciousness for the good of others. If certain things went wrong at JAMB, I agree it’s his responsibility to carry all pleasant and other burdens but just know that the bad side of the operations may as well be sabotage. I have absolute trust in that man. Ask my own colleagues about me, but Oloyede is my own hero, somebody I have known for more than 40 years…”

    This is by no means a reductionist disposition to the tragedy induced by the so called computer glitch. May the Almighty God in His infinite mercy console the parents of the candidate reported to have committed suicide. May God strengthen them to survive this gloomy phase of their lives and sustain them to reap bounteous compensation that will endure in their lives. It’s hard, so hard to pull tragedies of this magnitude. I personally feel for these parents. 

    The said computer glitch thing, may we never fall victim of it. Those who work for big organisations requiring large layout of ICT operations know what I’m talking about. Rather than being solutionist, IT facilities can be unimaginably problematic sometimes, yet indispensable in this civilizational dispensation. This is not doubting deliberate sabotage as may have happened in the case of JAMB. I’ve been part of the Oloyede’s JAMB journey to attest to his commitment to offer his best for the otherwise sinking board.

    Far from being cosmetically exhibitionist, the Oloyede-led JAMB team led the Education Minister, Tunji Alausa, round the critical facilities of JAMB during the just concluded examination. Alausa saw firsthand, like never before elsewhere in this country, how far JAMB had gone in its strive for transparency and real time monitoring of the conduct of examinations nationwide. Alausa, beyond being in awe sought to make the JAMB effect spread immediately to other examination bodies. 

    No be dem say, same day, the WAEC team came to JAMB and made it into the situation room which was my own duty post. The NECO team followed suit afterwards, both duly led around by the sturdy lead IT consultant who’s been reliably there from Oloyede’s assumption of duty, Damilola Bamiro. Far richer, given that they charge more for their exams, the duo of WAEC and NECO were suddenly mandated to understudy the exam sector leader in Africa that JAMB has become over time.

    The staff of both WAEC and NECO suddenly had to undertake a professional excursion led through all the real time monitoring screens and other digital facilities. It was obvious they marveled at what they saw revealing functional leader-subordinate synergy manifest with trendy output that the world can see and learn from.

    But that may even seem the tip of the iceberg of the output of the hardwork and commitment of the nation’s foremost icon of integrity in public service. Series of far more seemingly serious strides had been accomplished by Oloyede at JAMB. As a focused scholar, he keeps ensuring that every bit of the experience of the Board is treasured as worthy data to guide future actions and even subjects for further research.  

    Not even the agencies dedicated to emergency matters in Nigeria could have been as prompt as the Oloyede management on this ugly glitch saga. Once the complainants began ventilating into the public space, JAMB rose to the challenge without any predictably traditional arrogant stance of government is always right. I was aware that a particularly strident public critic and a former Students leader at Obafemi Awolowo University, Adeola Soetan commended the spokesperson for JAMB for excellent handling of public complaints.

    Promptly, an independent team of investigators was set up to unravel the mystery leading to the rather depressing situation that now confronts us. The team, drawn from assorted but technically relevant constituencies, has found out that no fewer than 165 centres of over 800 exam centres nationwide were affected. 

    Obviously well prepared for whatever the outcome may turn out to be, he braced up to the challenge to embrace the surrender value to tell it to the world as it is. This trial is for all of us who believe and trust Oloyede. I am incrovertibly in this group. So much so that his public cry infected me…It was a patriot’s cry for his beloved country. Like me, a former Law don at LASU, Dr Kilani wasn’t any less affected as demonstrated in a quick note to me: I wite to associate myself with the pain, sorrow and emotion of our own Professor Oloyede. I could not hold my tears seeing him cry. May Almighty Allah see him through. May we all not be put to shame…”

    But then came a soothing message from Gbade Osunsoko, my cousin: “…He will come out of this much stronger because Nigerians will trust him far better than a number of our leaders.. A man that mistakes happen under him and takes responsibility-it’s a big deal in Nigeria”

    With Oloyede, young Nigerians with challenges regarding sight are no longer left to moan their fate endlessly with adequate provision for their inclusion in the UTME. How many of our public facilities are this inclusion conscious as stipulated by SDGs?   

    How come a legacy built through almost a decade at the very best cost ever possible will be made to crumble when the game changer leader yet remains ever modest? JAMB has steadily risen through thick and thin to accomplish her tasks to the admiration of stakeholders nationally and internationally under Oloyede. Both NNPC and the Nigeria Police, being beneficiaries, can attest to the current competence of JAMB. How much more of other numerous stakeholders nationwide never deemed to have any relevance to JAMB before Oloyede but have since become critical, if not indispensable players?

    But why this sudden saddening encounter threatening our joy of service without blemish? Why this unforeseen truncation of a good story, so intentional, coming from Africa? Whodunnit? Surely the truth shall come out for the world to perceive and assess and get to appreciate the efforts and the quantum of commitment appropriated to the JAMB excellence project driven by Oloyede.

    One cannot but be deeply concerned. Before the very eyes of a few of us carefully selected to give support from our respective professional perspectives from the very beginning, Professor Oloyede’s concern for genuine growth and development was real. It is still reall and ind increasingly so, as a matter of fact. Indeed, inimitable. It shall be well.

    Tunde Akanni, PhD, is a Professor of Journalism and Development Communications a the Lagos State University, LASU. Follow him on X:@AkintundeAkanni 

  • NOUN VC seeks guidelines for obtaining recognised certifications for specific skills

    NOUN VC seeks guidelines for obtaining recognised certifications for specific skills

    The Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters, has called for nationally recognised guidelines to ensure the quality and relevance of micro-credentials align with national education objectives and quality assurance measures.

    He stated this in Abuja while declaring open a regional consultative meeting for West Africa organised by the Regional Training and Research Institute for Open and Distance Learning (RETRIDOL), National Open University of Nigeria in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning.

    The event, which has as its theme: “Commonwealth Credit Transfer Framework: Micro-credentials in a Digital Age”, witnessed participants from Togo, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Cameroun and Ghana.

    Micro-credentialing refers to the recognition of specific skills or competencies through bite-sized credentials, often in the form of digital badges or certificates.

    Prof. Peters said micro-credentialing was reshaping the landscape of education and professional development.

    READ ALSO: Dangerous lust

    The VC called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to take the lead in developing clear definitions, standards, and goals for micro-credentialing in Nigeria.

    He was upbeat that with NUC’s leadership, micro-credentialing can unlock new opportunities for Nigerian learners, enhance skills recognition, and drive national development.

    He warned that micro-credentialing may soon disrupt the traditional structure of knowledge acquisition and skill development, potentially impacting global certification processes.

    The vice – chancellor stated: “The time has come for our institutions, our national regulatory agencies and the industry to commence to take a deep look into how to agree to restructure our thematic path to degree certification. I dare not mention the other elephant disrupting our normalcy in the education sector: Al. Micro-credentialing is an innovative approach that is reshaping the landscape of education and professional development. They reflect a shift in how education is perceived and delivered, focusing on skills and competencies in a particular area of competence rather than in lengthy formal education. They are increasingly being seen as a viable alternative to traditional academic degree structures.

    “These courses are often developed in collaboration with industry experts, ensuring that the skills taught are relevant and in demand, which enhances employability. They are gaining popularity as an alternative route to certification due to their flexibility, accessibility, and relevance to the evolving job market.

    “I believe that by creating a structured framework, Institutions can then effectively implement micro-credentialing programmes that will meet the needs of learners and employers while enhancing educational pathways and workforce readiness. I call on our national regulatory bodies and especially the National Universities Commission to take the leadership role in formulating nationally clear definitions, standards, and goals, aligning with national education goals and quality assurance measures.

    “I call on our national regulatory bodies and especially the National Universities Commission to take the leadership role in formulating nationally clear definitions, standards, and goals, aligning with national education goals and quality assurance measures, that would strengthen micro-credentialing in our country.”

    President, Commonwealth of Learning, Prof. Peter Scott, highlighted the transformative potential of micro-credentialing in enhancing access to quality education, promoting lifelong learning and fostering skills development, emphasising its relevance in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape.

    He expressed COL’s commitment to ensuring efficiency and quality of learning by using appropriate open, distance and technology-based approaches.

    Prof. Scott tasked participants to explore innovative approaches to micro-credentialing, share best practices, and develop strategies to harness its potential in addressing the complex educational challenges facing West Africa and the broader Commonwealth, ultimately enhancing the quality and relevance of education.

    Similarly, the Higher Educational Adviser, Commonwealth of Learning, Prof. Jane Frances-Agbu, said the event was organised to engage with key national and institutional post-secondary education stakeholders at regional level; share findings of in-depth reviews of micro-credentialing literature, tools and practices throughout the Commonwealth; determine the national and regional needs in terms of credit transfer and micro-credentialing and obtain inputs from the stakeholders to inform the draft Commonwealth Credit Transfer Framework for Micro-Credentials.