The Nation Newspaper

Category: Education

  • Excitement as 16-year-old Bayelsa student scores 360 in 2025 UTME

    Excitement as 16-year-old Bayelsa student scores 360 in 2025 UTME

    Educationists and officials of the Bayelsa Ministry of Education have expressed excitement following the outstanding performance of a 16-year-old student, Egba Osiovie Diekime, who scored an aggregate of 360 in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    Diekime’s subject scores include 79 in English, 98 in Physics, 85 in Biology, and 98 in Chemistry.

    An indigene of Famgbe community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Diekime is a student of Best Breed International Schools, Okaka, Yenagoa. 

    Read Also: UTME mass failure: JAMB engages VCs, IT experts, others to probe ‘technical glitches’

    He also holds the 2025 NCDMB/NTA Science Quiz Competition/Award trophy and recorded 4 As and 4 Bs in the WAEC General Certificate of Education (GCE).

    Commending his performance, a secondary school teacher, James Anglesey, who brought the achievement to the attention of the media, praised the support of Diekime’s parents and teachers, describing their roles in his success as “highly commendable.”

  • KB foundation donates books, uniforms to pupils of SDA primary school Inisha

    KB foundation donates books, uniforms to pupils of SDA primary school Inisha

    In a heartwarming show of generosity, the Kunle Buraimoh Foundation (KB Foundation) visited SDA Primary School, Inisha, Osun state, on Thursday, May 8, 2025, to distribute essential learning materials and school uniforms to pupils in need.

    Led by Mr. Fatai Adekunle, members of the Foundation were warmly received by the school’s management, teachers, parents, and pupils. 

    Each student received five free exercise books, while 108 pupils identified as needing support were each presented with two newly sewn school uniforms.

    Read Also: Foundation commits N50m scholarship to support best JAMB students

    The initiative, aimed at supporting children from less privileged backgrounds, was designed to encourage academic focus and instill hope for a brighter future.

    The atmosphere was filled with joy as grateful parents and teachers offered heartfelt prayers and words of appreciation for the Foundation’s benevolent act. 

    The headteacher and a representative of the parents’ forum praised the Foundation’s commitment to uplifting the younger generation.

    The gesture also drew commendation from the school’s Alumni Association, which pledged to undertake additional pupil-focused developmental projects in the near future.

    Indeed, acts of love and kindness, like those shown by KB Foundation, are never wasted.

  • Fed govt integrates AI into curriculum 

    Fed govt integrates AI into curriculum 

    …eyes return of 10 million out-of-school children to classrooms by 2027

    The federal government has announced the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), in curriculum delivery, saying it was committed to delivering inclusive, future-ready education.

    Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa said this during the International Conference on Smart Education (ICSE) 2025 organised by the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) in collaboration with the Korean International Co-operation Agency (KOICA).

    The minister also announced the target of integrating 10 million out-of-school children by 2027 as offshoot of education reform initiatives of the Federal Government under the Hope for Quality Basic Education programme (Hope-Ed) supported by the World Bank and Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) initiatives.

    During the conference, the minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging digital technology for transforming basic education across the country.

    The high-level event brought together policymakers, development partners, school administrators, teachers, and digital education experts from across Nigeria and beyond.

    The minister underscored the alignment of ICSE 2025 with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising the centrality of human capital development.

    Highlighting Nigeria’s youthful population—44% under the age of 15—the minister called for an urgent re-engineering of the education system to convert this demographic strength into a digital dividend. 

    “We must equip our children with 21st-century skills to avoid a demographic disaster,” he stated.

    In his goodwill remark, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nigeria, Mr. Kim Pankyu, praised the strong collaboration between Korea and Nigeria in advancing smart education. 

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    He commended UBEC’s Smart Schools Programme and reaffirmed KOICA’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation in basic education. 

    The Ambassador emphasised that Korea’s experience shows how digital education can be a driver of social inclusion and economic growth, and expressed optimism about Nigeria’s potential to replicate similar success.

    UBEC Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, noted that the conference was a strong reminder that innovation in education was no longer optional as it was imperative for Nigeria’s progress, inclusion, and global competitiveness. 

    She stressed that the objectives of the conference — fostering knowledge-sharing, addressing challenges in tech-based education, promoting scholarship, and accelerating development — aligned deeply with UBEC’s mandate to ensure equitable, inclusive, and quality basic education for every Nigerian child. 

    She said: “In a world increasingly defined by technology, fulfilling this mandate demands that we rethink education delivery, reimagine learning environments, and embrace innovation to bridge learning gaps and unlock the potential of every learner.

    “The commission has moved beyond simply introducing technology into schools to building a systematic, sustainable model for integrating digital innovation into teaching and learning that is focused on empowering teachers and education managers with the skills and pedagogical strategies to transform classrooms into interactive, learner-centred spaces; creating culturally relevant digital resources aligned with Nigeria’s national curriculum, in collaboration with NERDC and EdTech partners; and ensuring access to appropriate technologies, from smart devices and VR labs to offline kits and solar-powered solutions for remote schools.”

    Vice-Chancellor of Thomas Adewumi University, Oko, Kwara State, Professor Francisca Oladipo, commended UBEC and KOICA for hosting a “beautiful event that reflects Nigeria’s readiness for the future.” 

    She added that “smart education is not a luxury but a necessity to unlock Nigeria’s potential. It requires all hands on deck—from government to parents, teachers to tech innovators. Let this conference hold our leaders accountable and help us deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

    She identified Nigeria’s demographic reality—projected to surpass 400 million by 2050 with 40% under 15—as both a challenge and an opportunity. 

    Despite the obstacles, Prof. Oladipo expressed optimism about the prospects for smart education in Nigeria pointing to expanding mobile access, growing EdTech innovation, and state-level initiatives in smart education in several states across the country such as Abia, Enugu, Jigawa and Niger as signals of progress. 

    She also highlighted federal government programmes like UBEC’s Teacher Internship Scheme and the National Digital Learning Policy as strategic enablers.

    The conference was attended by delegates from several African countries including: Benin, Cameroun, Conakry, Congo, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Sao Tome, Sierra Leone, Togo, among others.

  • Seaside Schools shine at 2025 Turkic International Mathematical Olympiad

    Seaside Schools shine at 2025 Turkic International Mathematical Olympiad

    In a remarkable display of academic excellence and national pride, students from The Seaside Schools, Agbara, proudly represented Nigeria at the 2025 Turkic International Mathematical Olympiad (TIMO), held in Antalya, Turkey between April 17th to 22nd, 2025.

    Dressed in vibrant traditional attire and bearing the nation’s flag, the delegation stood out not only for their intellect but also for their poise and cultural representation on an international stage. 

    Notably, The Seaside Schools had an impressive 10 finalists who successfully passed the preliminaries of this prestigious competition, widely regarded as one of the world’s most challenging math competitions.

    Mr. Eyvaz Qafarov, Vice President and Head of International Relations at TIMO, praised the institution’s participation, saying: “The event brought together brilliant young mathematicians from around the world, and The Seaside Schools’ participation affirms the institution’s commitment to nurturing globally competitive learners through excellence in STEM education.”

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    Mrs. Eniola Ogunlade, Managing Director of The Seaside Schools, expressed pride in the students’ achievement, saying: “This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, and staff. We are committed to providing a supportive environment that fosters academic excellence and empowers our students to succeed globally.”

    The Seaside Schools is a reputable co-educational day and boarding school located in Agbara, dedicated to providing a nurturing environment that fosters academic excellence and holistic growth. With a vision to empower all pupils to realize their full potential, the school offers a broad, balanced, relevant, and differentiated curriculum that caters to the diverse needs of its students. By combining rigorous academic programs with extracurricular activities, The Seaside Schools aims to develop well-rounded individuals who are equipped to succeed in an ever-changing world.

  • Union decries neglect of teacher education

    Union decries neglect of teacher education

    The Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN) has decried how government pays less attention to teacher education, which, according to it, is the bedrock of every country’s development.

    The union said no nation could progress without education, lamenting that less attention was being paid to teacher education across the country.

    Speaking in Oyo State at the 40th National Delegate Conference of SSUCOEN with the theme: ‘Trade Union Practice in the Contemporary Nigerian Tertiary Education Sector: Clogs, Reflections and Panacea for Robust Industrial Climate’, the union President, Com. Danladi Msheliza, said the foundation of education, which was from primary and junior secondary school levels, was being eroded.

    He said colleges of education were the only institutions mandated to train teachers, who would teach at the primary and junior secondary school levels.

    Msheliza said attention was not being given to the sub-sector of the country, urging government to fund colleges of education more and bring in more facilities.

    The guest speaker, Prof. Segun Ajiboye, said Federal Government should prioritise tertiary education and avoid strikes by unions, so as not to jeopardise the future of students.

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    SSUCOEN Federal College of Education Special Oyo Chapter Chairman, Com. Omobosola Oladipupo, said the theme of the event would address basic issues that were of concern to the union.

    He said: “Trade unionism in Nigeria’s tertiary education subsector, we are considering the clause, the issues we are encountering. Issues delaying the progress of the agitation. Reflecting over the past years, what our activities and struggles are like. What we can point out as our achievements, and we are trying to see where and how we need to restrategise, to ensure we accomplish the mandate of the union.

    “We have discovered that instead of striking all the time and getting nothing out of it, there should be other approaches which of course can attract the attention of government and other employers and individuals in the interest of the workforce. We are looking at contemporary issues and how they affect tertiary education.”

  • Dafinone presents 18-seater bus, pledges more intervention for Delta Poly, Otefe

    Dafinone presents 18-seater bus, pledges more intervention for Delta Poly, Otefe

    Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) on Monday presented an 18-seater bus to the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, describing the gesture as “only the beginning” of greater interventions to come.

    The bus, initially requested by a former SUG President, was presented with thunderous applause during a campus visit by the Delta Central lawmaker that quickly turned into a broader engagement on leadership, innovation, and federal collaboration.

    The senator’s gesture, however, went beyond transportation support. Dafinone used the opportunity to engage students, faculty, and administrators on the importance of education, skill-building, and leadership rooted in humility. 

    “This bus is symbolic,” he said. “You need nine more to solve the transport challenge. But this visit will generate the visibility needed to attract more support, and I promise to do more.”

    Welcoming the senator, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Professor Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, described the occasion as historic. 

    “To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time a senator has visited our polytechnic and stepped into the Rector’s office,” he said.

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     “It’s a testament to humility. Some senators are unreachable, but here you are—clapping and singing with students.”

    The Rector also praised the Dafinone family’s contributions to education and industry. “Without any iota of flattery, I believe his family holds the record for the highest number of chartered accountants in the world,” Ufuophu-Biri stated. “And here he is, not just continuing that legacy, but expanding it through service.”

    Dafinone acknowledged the institution’s strides, promising to connect them with federal opportunities.

     “I saw TETFund buildings here. That means this institution is already in Abuja’s line of sight. We’ll build on that,” he said. 

    “Many federal agencies are willing to support schools that show initiative. This relationship will open more doors.”

    Beyond academics, the senator urged students to embrace entrepreneurship. “This certificate you’re pursuing is important, but the world is also looking for people with skills,” he said. 

    “You can earn up to N200,000 a month through agriculture. With one or two acres of land, one or two hours a day, you can build a future. Education is the foundation, but innovation is the key.”

    Professor Ufuophu-Biri also showcased some of the institution’s innovations, including a recently developed wireless generator that runs without fuel. “These achievements stem from a culture of peace, unity, and staff-student cooperation,” he said. “This is an institution where education truly meets enterprise.”

    In a speech reflecting national pride, Senator Dafinone reminded students of Nigeria’s potential. “Many think oil and gas are our most valuable assets. I disagree—it’s our people. Nigerians succeed across the world. That same spirit is in you,” he said. “What you do with your time here will shape the future of this country.”

    As part of the visit, the senator was taken on a tour of new facilities, including a soon-to-be-commissioned administrative building. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is expected to inaugurate the structure during the institution’s convocation on May 31, 2025, and Senator Dafinone was officially invited.

    “This bus belongs to you,” Dafinone told the students as he handed over the keys. “Let it be a reminder that your voice was heard—and that more is coming.”

  • Ex-UI teacher Umukoro is 75

    Ex-UI teacher Umukoro is 75

    A former university teacher, Prof. Matthew Umukoro, turns 75 on Friday.

    Fondly called M.M. by his associates, Umukoro retired from the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan (UI), where he taught for about 40 years, in May 2020.

    As part of the birthday celebrations, Umukoro will deliver a lecture titled: “In defence of criticism“, on Friday at the Trenchard Hall of UI at 3pm.

    READ ALSO: Awka: trader vs professor

    The event will be chaired by UI Vice Chancellor, Prof Kayode Adebowale.

    Umukoro’s friend and colleague, Prof. Adebayo Williams, in a congratulatory message, described him as a man of letters with a big heart.

    —

  • UTME mass failure: JAMB engages VCs, IT experts, others to probe ‘technical glitches’

    UTME mass failure: JAMB engages VCs, IT experts, others to probe ‘technical glitches’

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has launched an investigation into alleged technical glitches during the conduct of this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    To successfully conduct the investigation, the board said it had engaged the services of vice chancellors and IT experts from the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, Chief External Examiners, among others, to determine the root cause and ensure that affected candidates receive appropriate remedies, if any errors were confirmed.

    JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, announced this in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

    Over 1.5 million of the 1.9 million candidates who sat for this year’s UTME, which was conducted from April 24 to May 5, scored below 200 out of a possible 400 marks, prompting public outcry.

    In the statement, titled: “Re: Public Complaint Regarding the Release of the 2025 UTME,” the board said it was expediting action on its annual system review, a comprehensive post-mortem of the examination process, typically conducted months after the exercise.

    According to JAMB, the review will cover three key stages comprising registration, examination, and result release in the investigation.

    READ ALSO: Awka: trader vs professor

    The examination body said it was particularly concerned about unusual complaints from a few states, thereby currently scrutinising these issues in detail to identify and resolve any technical faults.

    It said: “To assist in this process, we have engaged several experts, including members of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, Chief External Examiners (who are heads of tertiary institutions), the Educational Assessment and Research Network in Africa, measurement experts, and vice chancellors from various institutions.

    “If it is determined that there were indeed glitches, we will implement appropriate remedial measures promptly, as we do in the case of the examinations themselves.”

    Also, thousands of candidates who scored below 200 in this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) have petitioned the board’s registrar over the high failure rate in the examination.

    The aggrieved candidates petitioned the JAMB registrar through their solicitors, John C. Nwobodo and M. C. Agbo, expressing misgivings over the results of the examination.

    They argued that the results did not reflect their efforts, presupposing that there might have been possible glitches       in the JAMB software which resulted in the mismatch between the questions and the answers.

    The students claimed that the system might have been programmed in a way that candidates were only able to view their scores against each subject and the aggregate thereof.

    The petition, which was copied to the Senate President, the Minister of Education and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, reads: “Moreover, the development has put your board on the spotlight that the need for accountability at this point and going forward becomes imperative and non-negotiable.

    “We are solicitors to the 1,534,654 candidates who wrote the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination whose scores are below 200. They consist of 2,031 who scored below 100; 3,820 who scored between 100 and 119; 57,419 who scored between 120 and 139; 488,197 who scored between 140 and 159; and 983,187 who scored between 160 and 199. They shall hereafter be referred to as ‘our clients’.”

    The lawyers urged JAMB to make full disclosure of the questions and the corresponding answers administered in respect of each candidate for easy self-evaluation.

    The solicitors said their clients instructed them to make JAMB undertake a comprehensive review of the marking of the questions administered to ascertain that the correct answers were fixed against the questions.

    They also requested that the board take notice that their clients instructed them to explore every legal avenue to seek justice for the aggrieved candidates.

  • TETFund to sanction non-performing institutions

    TETFund to sanction non-performing institutions

    The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has threatened to sanction beneficiary tertiary institutions that fail to meet its performance benchmarks or mismanage allocated funds.

    The agency said it would de-list such tertiary institutions from its support programmes.

    Its Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, gave the warning at a one-day strategic engagement with heads of institutions, bursars, and heads of procurement of the agency’s beneficiary institutions yesterday in Abuja.

    Echono said the policy was not designed to punish but to safeguard the credibility and impact of the fund’s interventions.

    He said: “Let me be clear. Institutions that consistently fail to access, utilise or retire funds appropriately or that fall short of enrollment and academic performance thresholds risk being. delisted as TETFund beneficiary institutions.”

    Echono announced the intention of TETFund to ensure that its resources are directed towards institutions that stay committed to high standards of governance, transparency, and accountability.

    The executive secretary said the strategic engagement was targeted at addressing recurring challenges in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, improving project execution, and enhancing the quality of education.

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    A key focus, he said, is the Academic Staff Training and Development (AST&D) intervention.

    Echono said due to rising costs and incidents of scholars absconding, the foreign component of the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) was suspended as of January 1, his year, with emphasis now shifted to cost-effective, locally driven training.

    The executive secretary said this year’s intervention budget prioritises consolidation, sustainability, and the completion of abandoned projects.

    He added: “This engagement is not merely a meeting but a strategic convergence. It is designed to address recurring issues of concern, streamline project implementation and enhance the overall quality of tertiary education delivery in our nation.

    “As we move forward, let us approach today’s discussions with openness, collaboration, and a shared vision to elevate our institutions and the students we serve.

    “Together, we can strengthen accountability, drive innovation, and ensure that the legacy of TETFUND remains impactful, equitable and enduring for generations to come.”

    The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, restated the need for the meeting to evaluate the implementation and impact of TETFund – supported projects in higher education institutions.

    The NUC boss, who was represented by Dr. Joshua Atah, lauded TETFund’s vital role in improving infrastructure, research, staff development, and academic quality.

    He noted that without the fund’s support, public education would struggle to survive.

    Ribadu acknowledged the adaptability of TETFund’s policies, such as suspending international scholarships to reallocate resources more effectively.

    He urged tertiary institutions to be more responsive and ensure that interventions remain relevant and efficiently executed.

  • Tinubu’s aide awards scholarship to UTME candidate with 360 score

    Tinubu’s aide awards scholarship to UTME candidate with 360 score

    President Bola Tinubu’s Personal Assistant on Special Duties, Kamorudeen Yusuf, has awarded a scholarship to Master Sodiq Shoyode, a 16-year-old who scored 360 in the recent Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    Sodiq’s achievement went viral on social media, drawing widespread commendations.

    Despite his poor socioeconomic status, Sodiq has always aimed to be at the top of his class, and he proved his worth and mettle in the just-concluded UTME exams.

    Besides studying for Mechanical Engineering, Sodiq wants to learn Back End Software Development before proceeding with his varsity admission.

    The president’s aide, Yusuf, who received the news of Sodiq’s high performance was so impressed that he reached out to the family to support the aspiration of the high performer.

    Specifically, he pledged to provide a laptop for Sodiq to learn in a top digital academy in Lagos and also support his university education.

    In a chat with our correspondent on Monday, Sodiq said, he has always had the goal to get a high score in JAMB since he was in SS1 and he made sure to work towards his goal. “I have always had the goal of scoring 360 and above in JAMB since I was in SS1 and I’m glad I was able to achieve my goal,” he said excitedly.

    Read Also: UTME mass failure: JAMB engages VCs, IT experts, others to probe alleged technical glitches

    Sodiq credited his success to consistent study habits and practice tests. “I did a lot of practice tests and recorded my progress weekly to know the areas I need to improve on,” he said.

    The young scholar, overwhelmed with joy over news of his good fortune, expressed gratitude to his parents and benefactor.

    “I appreciate my parents for their support and encouragement, most especially Mr Kamorudeen Yusuf, the Personal Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has promised to lighten the financial burden on my parents. I’m eternally grateful Sir,” said an elated Sodiq.

    Expectedly, Sodiq’s parents, Mr. Nojimu and Mrs. Oluwatoyin Shoyede are very thrilled about their child’s achievement and grateful for Mr. Yusuf’s kindness.

    Yusuf recently awarded N10m scholarships to some kids in Lagos.