A professor of Economic History and Development Studies at the Benue State University, Markudi, and secretary general of the committee of vice-chancellors of Nigerian universities, Yakubu Ochefu, has charged stakeholders in the country’s education sector to consider “flipping” the current national situation by turning problems into opportunities.
He gave the charge while leading the 81st Interdisciplinary Research Discourse of the Postgraduate College of the University of Ibadan.
The topic was “Rethinking the Philosophy of University Education in Nigeria in the Era of Education 4.0”
Professor Ochefu in his lecture sought to take a hard look at the triggers of disrupting the nature and character of higher education in Nigeria and how to translate them into opportunities to reform and transform the education sector.
He suggested that we must foster collaboration and teamwork, pursue and encourage interdisciplinary partnerships, and break down the silos within the academic environment.
He also called for the efficient and effective management of resources, adding that resources must be allocated strategically, effectiveness must be prioritized, and transparency ensured in decision-making.
Professor Ochefu said Vice Chancellors must possess the emotional intelligence required to build conflict resolution skills and address difficult situations head-on, with fairness, objectivity, and firmness.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, in his address as the Chairman at the Discourse, stated that education remains an important instrument for growth and national development.
He stressed the need for a periodic review of the nation’s philosophy of education, saying that when one considers the dynamic nature of society, the ever-changing challenges must be creatively tackled if society remains functional.
Professor Adebowale noted that Education 4.0 comes with a hybrid model that empowers students and lecturers to think critically in a manner that challenges traditional boundaries to learning.
He said this model of education aligns and synchronizes with the emerging fourth industrial revolution, also known as Industry 4.0.
The vice-chancellor concluded that rethinking the philosophy of university education in Nigeria requires a shift in mindset and approaches to teaching and learning as well as leveraging digitalisation to enable learning anywhere at any time in the world.
The federal government said plans are underway to launch a school-to-work scheme to enable youths to become productive and self-employed.
The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi disclosed this on Thursday during a meeting with Commissioners of Education, Executive State and FCT Universal Basic Chairmen, Education Boards, and UBEC on the School-to-Work Scheme.
Bobboyi disclosed that the target group for the scheme is learners in junior secondary schools.
He added that it will provide them the opportunity to detect early in life where their talents and potential lie, between academic pursuit and vocational skills development.
He said: “It is expected that ultimately, generations of school leavers who are productive, self-employed, and contributing to the economic well-being of the country will emerge. The target group for the scheme is learners in the junior secondary schools.
“It will save the country the wastage being experienced after the junior secondary school education whereby those who are not academically inclined have no skills to develop for sustenance.”
Explaining how the Scheme will be run, the UBEC Boss stated that it is structured to provide at least six months of training, broken into two months per year of study in the junior secondary school.
He said: “Within this period, the basics of a variety of trades will be taught, on which the learners can build after completing the junior secondary education. It is also designed to enable those students who may not be transiting to the senior secondary schools immediately to continue to specialise in their chosen trades until they can establish on their own.”
Bobboyi, who further stated that the Scheme will be piloted in some centres in the states and FCT before scaling it up across the country, added that the vocational centres “are to be established and equipped to support training in a variety of trades in existing junior secondary schools.”
He called for the support of the Commissioners and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the implementation of the scheme.
He said: “The role of the Federal Government is to support the efforts of these tiers of government. It is in view of this that we have invited the Hon. Commissioners of Education from across the country with the Executive Chairmen to deliberate on the Scheme so that at the end of the proceedings we would resolve to give our maximum cooperation for the achievement of the goal of the scheme, and for the States to ultimately take-ownership.”
Director of Basic Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Folake Davies, stated that the Scheme, which is in line with the road map policy of the ministry, is designed to provide youths with the requisite experience necessary to excel whenever they find themselves in the working environment.
The director who was represented by Rose Onoja stated that only collaborative effort from the Federal, State, and Local Government levels and active involvement from the private sector will make the implementation of the program successful.
Onoja said: “You will agree with me that skills acquisition is apt in preparing for the implementation of this school-to-work program that is revolving around the World today, and this is one of the deliverables from the DOTS initiative of the Federal Government with relevance which borders on skill acquisition together with the road map policy of the Ministry of Education which has provided the pillars that will support this empowerment.
“The school-to-work – scheme program is designed to create a path to prepare our youths from the latent potentials they possess to make them economically empowered for various opportunities available to various degrees in work-related environments.
“It further supports the students’ classroom knowledge by gaining insights into various vocations, technical, industrial and business environments.”
Onoja commended UBEC for putting together the program geared towards a more inclusive and robust education system which is in line with the goal of the current administration initiative.
The government of Sokoto state has started issuing identity cards to its students as part of its efforts to maintain accurate records and statistics of public school students for the payment of examination fees.
The move is aimed at distinguishing them from external candidates and to prevent any fraudulent activities by some suspected school principals and staff.
“This will assist us in knowing the exact number of our students, especially those that will sit for SSCE,” the government said.
It was a resolution reached at the state Executive Council meeting on Friday, May 3, chaired by Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto.
The state commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Tukur Arkali disclosed at a briefing in Sokoto.
Alkali explained that the decision was informed by the huge amount being spent by the state government on Senior Secondary School Examinations for students.
Alkali said: “Some principals and examination officers use to enlist external candidates, thus adding more burden on the state government”
He said last year alone, the state government spent N1bn on NECO and WAEC for its students while insisting that it was humongous.
“And this year we are anticipating 33,000 candidates and with the current increment in registration fees by WAEC and NECO we will spend not less than N1.9 billion.”
According to Arkali, some principals and examination officers are used to enlist external candidates, thus adding more burden on the state government.
Meanwhile, the state has approved the purchase of 1000 motorcycles and 500 tricycles for youth empowerment.
The council also approved the construction of waterways at Tudun Wada cemetery and the renovation of Hajj Camp which it named after Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, the former Governor of the state.
It also approved the amendment of four laws, including Zakkat and Endowment Commission law, Arabic and Islamic Board Law, Prohibition of Discrimination People With Disability Law, and Tenancy Control Law.
The Ijero/Apapa Road Old Boys, a socio-political and cultural organisation, has distributed educational materials, including notebooks, to students in 11 secondary schools in the Ebute-Meta (west) area of Lagos Mainland Local Government of Lagos state.
The schools that benefitted from this initiative include St. Paul Primary School, St Peter Primary School, Banjo Primary School, Ebenezer Primary School, Ijero Primary School, Oroku Primary School, Marywood Primary School, LMLG Primary School, Eleja Primary School, Ago-Ijaye Primary School, and Iponri Olaleye Primary School.
High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, chairman of the educational intervention committee, affirmed the group’s commitment to sustaining educational support for schools across the state, particularly within Ebute-Meta (west) and the wider Lagos Mainland area.
Kalejaiye, who is also the traditional ruler of the Otumara community in the state, commended the support of eminent personalities who contributed to the actualisation of the dream project.
He said: “Education is the bedrock of any society. This is why we are not relenting in giving our all to bequeathing quality education to our children in Lagos Mainland Local Government particularly in Ebute-Meta (west) of the state. The role of education in the attainment of a healthy and crime-free society cannot be overemphasised.
“If we are able to mould the minds of these children at a very tender age then crimes and other associated vices, I believe, would be a thing of the past.
“Therefore, I cannot but commend the contributions and dedication of our eminent personalities that contributed in no small measure to making this dream project a reality.
“However, I would like to advise this future of tomorrow. In the days past, cultism existed only at the University but these days, it now exists in primary schools.
“Primary school pupils are now joining cultism. Please don’t join bad gangs. If anyone approaches you to join and wants to lure you into any bad society, report such a person to your parents at home and your teachers at school. Shun bad gangs and concentrate on your studies for a brighter and more rewarding future.
“I appreciate our father and leader, a member of the State Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Chief Dr Abayomi Finnih, our mother and chairperson of Lagos Mainland Local Government, Chief Omolola Essien, Vice-chairman, Hon. Emilagba Jubril, Aare Tomori Williams, Aare Onikoyi of Yoruba Land, Mr Olufemi Shadamoro, Mrs Tola Dosunmu, Rotarian Akibu Bankole, Bunmi Obafemi and all dedicated members of Ijero/Apapa Road Old Boys, Ebute-Meta (west).”
The vice-chairman of Lagos Mainland of local government, Hon. Jubril Emilagba, who represented the council chairperson urged the pupils to shun cultism and other distractions and concentrate on their studies.
Emilagba, who is also a prominent indigene of Ebute-Meta (west), commended High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye for his persistent contributions to the growth of sports and education in the district.
He said: “On cultism, the chairperson has taken proactive measures to end cultism and other vices. Her focus is on primary schools with the aim of preventing cultism and other social vices.
“Also, the chairperson is very serious about environmental issues. Any school that violates the environmental laws of the state will be shut down. Lagos state is monitoring the state of the environment across every Local Government. If the environment is intact, everything else will be fine.
“I am urging our students to focus on their education and shun cultism and every other distraction. Without education, you cannot get to the peak of your career. Do not join a bad gang. Shun cultism and be obedient to your parents and teachers. Be responsible to yourself and your society.”
Executive Secretary, Lagos Mainland Local Government, Education district, Tijani Tajudeen speaks on the importance of notebooks to the success of the pupils.
He said: “Exercise book is very important to the educational pursuit and excellence of our pupils. You can pass without buying textbooks but it is impossible to pass your exams with notebooks. It is an important tool for becoming whatever you want to become educationally.
“Gone are the days when we keep diaries but today it’s computers and notebooks. So store your information in your notebooks. The notebooks is your dictionary. It is your research aid. What has been said about cultism, please take to it. Also child abuse, you have to speak up in the case of harassment or assault by anyone including uncles, aunties, nephews, nieces, and others. Your future starts today therefore be serious about it.”
The chairman of the group, Hon. Seun Williams said the group is obligated to support laudable projects that would be of benefit to the entire community.
He said: “Primary education is the foundation of every knowledge. When we gathered some years back, we decided to give back to our community by investing in the future of our children.
“This is the first of its kind but by the grace of God, it will be an annual event. By the grace of God, this legacy will continue to impact positively in the lives of our children, especially in the area of quality education.”
The head teacher of LMLG Primary School, Mrs Gbemi, on behalf of all beneficiaries, thanked the donors for the donation.
The National Assembly, key unions in universities and some Nigerians have hailed the directive on the proposed 18 years’ age limit policy on entry into tertiary institutions as announced by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman. Many people have also opposed it, claiming that there is no guarantee that the policy would succeed. According to those opposing the directive, parents would devise means to circumvent it, as they are doing with the age policy to enter Federal Government colleges, Bola Olajuwon, Bisi Olaniyi, Simon Utebor, Ogochukwu Anioke, Damola Kola-Dare, Victoria Amadi, Yinka Adeniran and Okungbowa Aiwerie report.
The Federal Government’s directive that candidates less than 18 years old should not be admitted into tertiary institutions has so far elicited mixed reactions from education stakeholders.
Minister of Education Tahir Mamman gave the directive last week during a monitoring of the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) at Bwari, the Federal Capital Territory.
He decried the activities of some parents, who were compelling their underage children to get admission into tertiary institutions, explaining that the 18-year benchmark is in line with the 6-3-3-4 system of education.
“The minimum age of entry into the university is 18, but we have seen students who are 15, 16 years going in for the entrance examination. Parents should be encouraged not to push their wards too much. Mostly, it is the pressure of parents that is causing this.
“We are going to look at this development because the candidates are too young to understand what the whole university education is all about,” he said.
Before the minister’s announcement, the Senate last year announced plans to amend the law establishing the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to peg age limit for candidates of the UTME at 16 years and above. The Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic Education, Akon Eyakenyi, gave the indication during the committee’s oversight visit to JAMB last year.
According to Eyakenyi, this would prevent under-aged candidates from participating in the examination for the purpose of gaining admission into a university in the country.
Before the policy is backed by law, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, at the 2024 Ministerial Briefing, said 16 years remained the admissible age into Lagos State-owned tertiary institutions.
“If your age is below 16, you are not eligible,” he said.
The UK, U.S., Germany example
The typical age range for university admission is between 17 and 19 years old, after completing secondary education or high school.
In the United Kingdom, each university oversees its admissions. Swansea, Southampton, and Cardiff universities admit at age 16. Kent University pegs it at 17 years. The Open University admits at 16 years or lower. Cambridge prescribes 18 years for some courses, including medicine.
In the United States, for example, most students enter university at the age of 18 or 19, after completing high school. In Germany, students typically enter university at the age of 19 or 20 after completing a two-year programme called “Vorkurs” or “Studienkolleg”.
An Education Adviser at the British High Commission in Abuja, Mr. Mikailu Ibrahim, noted that the appropriate age for university entry varies with countries, education system, and type of degree.
“In some cases, students may enter university at a younger age, such as 16 or 17, if they have completed accelerated programmes or have been homeschooled. Additionally, some universities offer early admission programmes or dual-enrolment programmes that allow students to start taking university courses while still in high school.
“Most of the circumstances leading to early entry are not obtainable in Nigeria,” Ibrahim said.
National Assembly to support new entry limit
The National Assembly has pledged to come up with a robust legislation to support the new age limit.
Chairman, Senate Committee on tertiary institutions and TETFund, Senator Muntari Dandutse, said this while monitoring the 2024 UTME. The Katsina South senator was accompanied by other members of his committee as well as his counterparts from the Committee on Higher Education in the House of Representatives.
Dandutse said though age should not be a barrier to tertiary educational institutions, the age limit of 18 as proposed by the Minister of Education is sacrosanct. His counterpart, Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West, said there had been a law mandating admission to be given to candidates who are 18.
“With what is happening, we are going to amend it and make it robust. Specifically, everybody should have access to education, your age 40 or 50 or 60 years doesn’t mean you cannot enter the university.
“Age should not be a barrier but there is also an age limit and minimum, you cannot be 12, 13, 14 years and enter into the university. Before you can enter primary school, you have to be six years. Before you can enter secondary school, you have to be 12 years. So, before you can enter the university, you have to be 18 years,” Karimi said.
Committee of VCs: we can’t react now
The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNUs) declared that it couldn’t react now to the minister’s announcement. The Secretary-General of the committee, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, said the committee has not discussed this matter.
“There is no official communication from the Ministry of Education yet. So, when we do, we shall review it and make an appropriate response,” he said.
The leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) , while supporting the new move, said the government should strictly enforce the age limit.
ASUU president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, blamed the private educational system for bastardising the system which was in place years back.
“Before the springing up of private schools, we used to follow six years in primary school setting and so, in secondary schools whereby before a student would get to university, he or she would have been 18 years old, just as it is being done in other civilised societies.
“But when private institutions came in, they threw that laid down procedure aside, thereby 12-year-old is seen in university settings. No matter how brilliant, what can a 12-year-old know in terms of discipline and maturity? They may graduate with excellent results but the needed discipline that is associated with maturity is lacking in most of them,’’ Osodeke said.
CONUA: minimum age should be pegged at 17 years
National President of Congress of University Academics (CONUA) Niyi Sunmonu is of the view that the minimum age for entry into the university, and by extension, any tertiary institution in Nigeria, should be pegged at 17 years on the date of registration in line with international best practices.
CONUA noted that before legislation for the adoption of the age limit is made, there is need to understand why parents rush their wards into tertiary institutions in their early teens.
“This is largely due to two major issues, which are: incessant strike actions and age limits set for employment,” he said.
Sunmonu, however, implored the Minister of Education and the legislature to take a holistic consideration of these two factors and others in arriving at a fair minimum age requirement.
“Exclusion by employers of labour on account of age must also be squarely addressed along with this.
“CONUA advocates for the minimum age requirement of 17 years on the date of registration because the country is just setting on the path of achieving uninterrupted academic calendar, which is one of the cardinal principles of CONUA.
“The government can then take a second look at it after some years when uninterrupted academic calendar is stabilised,” he said.
A welcomed development, says Tutor-General
The Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District IV, in Lagos, Mr. Osinaike Olusegun Olawale, is of the opinion that the initiative is a welcomed one, adding that it would help curb some menaces carried out by students in the higher institution.
Olawale noted that aspiring students below the age of 18 should endeavour to acquire a skill.
“I see it as a welcome development because there are too many incidences that could have been prevented, if the so-called immature undergraduates were mature.
“Take for instance, incidences of cultism, drug abuse, rape, indecent dressing and other vices in our society today. Most undergraduates are too naive to handle challenges. I support wholeheartedly the idea of 18-year minimum varsity entry requirement.
“Those that are already close to securing admission at under 18 should seek technical or vocational skills, which will enhance their market value before going to the university,” he said.
NASU: 18-year-old is the age of maturity
The General Secretary of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Comrade Peter Adeyemi said, “18 years is the age of maturity.”
Adeyemi in chat said: “To be a university student, you need some level of maturity and ability to understand life. I think 18 years is okay, if only they will adhere to it.”
Govt proposal, a welcome development, says NDU DVC
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Prof. Tombra Kingdom, hailed the Federal Government for the proposal to raise the university entry age to 18 years.
He urged the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the proposal see the light of the day, saying that infantile attitude of some undergraduates shows that some of them behave like minors being spoon-fed by nannies.
Kingdom said as part of the measures to actualise the lofty initiative, students below the age of 18 after their secondary schools should be made to learn some skills and develop before allowing them to go to the university.
Kingdom stated: “The Federal Government proposal is a welcome development because most of the students we have today are still like minors. Even this morning, there are some students who came for exams; they are still undergraduates, yet their parents are still following them to school. That is to tell you that they don’t know their left from their right.”
School proprietor supports policy
But, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Erudite Group of Schools, Ibadan, Chief Saheed Oladele, said the policy is in order as it is in tandem with standards in developed countries.
Noting that the policy have more advantages to the student, the school and the country, Oladele said government must show genuine political will and interest at implementing the policy and not do it selectively.
Oladele said: “I am in support of that because it has a lot of benefits. Number one, we need to make sure that the brains of these children fully develop before they go to the university. Many of the children that we are sending to the university are not mature, and that is why many of them are failing in the university.
“Secondly, our staying at home for about one year is any opportunity for them to learn a skill before they go to the university. What is the point of going to the university when what they are going to learn will be more of theory, and then the university doesn’t give them the opportunity to learn a skill. So, staying at home till 18, I believe it’s an opportunity for them to learn a skill.”
Parents are totally against it, says NAPTAN
Deputy National President, National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo said the minister should not have introduced the policy.
“Parents are totally against it. In fact, the youngest professor in the world is nine years of age. Some pupils do UTME at 14 or 15; we are even still managing that. Now, he is saying 18 years.
It is not ideal at all; it will confuse the entire system. When a child passes UTME at age 15 or 16, it means such cannot enter the university. That would mean a two-year wait and waste. Why should the minister think of such without engaging relevant stakeholders in the sector? He should have engaged all stakeholders before the pronouncement. Some people do have double promotion, what becomes of them?
“Some are brilliant and talented. So, do we delay them unnecessarily? Waiting for extra two years could discourage a child. The minister should just leave it at 16; it is still manageable.
Children don’t learn at the same pace. Brilliant ones should not be delayed.
If he wants to go ahead with the policy without stakeholders’ engagement, we as a national parent body will be forced to approach the National Assembly and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their intervention.”
‘Plan has created confusion for parents, their wards’
Coordinator, Child Protection Network, Lagos State chapter, Mrs. Ronke Oyelaki, said the recent announcement has already created confusion and problems for parents and their wards.
She said: “As a parent and being realistic here, I will propose that the government should leave the admission at age 16 as obtained in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, the University of Lagos and other public universities in the country. This is because most parents will never understand and accept this proposal. Not at a time like this when we have millions of children or adults (above 18) yet to gain admission into higher institutions and the growing rate of students writing WASSCE and will be joining the waiting ones about to take UTME in 2025.
“As a child protection expert, this will cause a huge effect in our societies and nation as many will be free to do whatever they like which may lead to increasing rates of social vices.”
‘Allow Senate of every institution to determine age limit’
In his view, a former Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, said the government must learn to allow the Senate of every institution determines the desirability of what is workable for its system.
Olayinka, a Prof. of over 25 years, said the universities with its huge concentration of scholars, academics and people of high repute must not be mere appendages of the Ministry of Education.
He wondered if any empirical research was carried out to justify the proposed increase in the minimum entry age of students into the universities.
“The Honourable Minister of Education is reported to have decreed that 18 years would henceforth be the minimum age for the admission of students into our universities. Without prejudice to the desirability or otherwise of this policy, what is the role of the Senate of each university in such matters? The last time I checked, the admission of suitably qualified candidates in a university is the responsibility of the Senate of each university. One is not aware if this part of the University of Ibadan Act 1962 (as amended) has been repealed.
“Why do we work so hard to relegate our universities into a mere appendage of the Ministry of Education. One is not sure whether there has been any empirical research carried out to justify the proposed increase in the minimum entry age into our universities. Each university should be allowed to operate what it has been operating before now, which has worked so well.
“It is probably not fair for the Federal Ministry of Education to ignore and neglect the laws governing our Universities so summarily.”
University Pro-Chancellor seeks transitional period of three to five years
Pro-Chancellor of Chrisland University and former Vice Chancellor of Caleb University, Ayodeji Olukoju, said: “Unless there is a transitional period of three to five years, the directive will confuse because many students are expected to graduate from secondary schools at 15 or 16 for the next four years at least.
“I graduated from secondary school at the age of 15, after beginning school at the age of five. If gifted children graduate at 16 or 17, as is common nowadays, what will they do for the next two years to qualify for university education? Unless two-year post-secondary high school education is reinstated, we will have a new army of young, brilliant, but frustrated children idling away, waiting until they are 18 before continuing their education.”
Olukoju stated that this innovation may cause more harm than good unless appropriate remedies are developed and gaps are filled.
“Those who proposed the policy should explain why they did so and why it is more urgent. I am not sure what it would accomplish other than raising the age of freshmen, women, and all students on campus.
NLC Chairman advocates autonomy for varsities
Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress in Ebonyi State and former Chairman of Academic Staff Universities in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Dr. Ogugua Egwu called for autonomy for the universities.
While he backed the plan for 18 years age limit for admission of students into the university, Egwu, however, called for reconstitution of universities’ councils.
He said: “I support the age limit of 18 years for admission into university. We are not saying that minors should not grow but you should have attained a certain age before you enter the university and that ripe age is 18. Age-wise, you should be more mature, you should be ready to face the challenges of life psychologically.”
Ex-vice-chancellor faults pronouncement
A former Vice-Chancellor of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Dipo Kolawole, faulted the pronouncement of the Minister of Education, saying that the proposal is absurd as it is repulsive.
The retired don said: “With global advancement in medicine, science and technology, age is no more a major determinant of capacity to cope with higher education but depth of knowledge. It is sheer backwardness to measure maturity principally on the basis of age.
“In America, China and others, people now obtain PhD at relatively young age. They are immediately recruited and deposited in their research laboratories and institutes to enhance technological advancement of their countries in a competitive world of science and technology.”
Former VC cautions over blanket limit
A former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Rahman Bello, cautioned relevant authorities in the nation’s education sector not to place a blanket ban on admission of students below the age of 18.
Bello counselled the Federal Government to put in place a mechanism to ensure that students who show exceptional ability in learning are not deprived of opportunities to enter the ivory towers earlier than 18. Bello, who shied away from rejecting the proposal, stated that in implementing it, all organs of government saddled with the responsibility of admit ting students into the various schools are activated and properly primed for the task
No fewer than 931 staff members of universities, polytechnics and colleges of Education across West Africa have graduated from an intensive 13-week training on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Speaking to reporters at the end of the graduation ceremony in Abuja, on Tuesday, Prof. Emeritus Peter Okebukola said the training covered key concepts in AI with 11 practical sessions.
He said the training was organised by the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and the West Africa Office of the Association of African Universities (AAU) under the auspices of the NUC Strategy Advisory Committee (STRADVCOM).
According to him, the training was aimed at supporting the participants’ teaching, research and community engagement.
Okebukola, who is also the Director/Facilitator-General of the Virtual Institute for Capacity Building in Higher Education (VICBHE), said the training programme was supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
He noted that the participants could now practically use AI tools to support their teaching, research and community engagement.
According to him, they can now carry out exercises in machine learning and more importantly, use AI tools for quality assurance including accreditation.
Okebukola said that all the participants also learned ethical considerations in the use of AI.
“The quality of the project reports is amazing. The aggregation of these policies will lead us to draft AI policies for higher education institutions in the participating countries and under the aegis of the AAU West Africa Office.
“It will lead us to produce a draft for the Africa region for consideration by the Secretary General of the AAU, Prof. Olusola Oyewole.
“We closed the practical sessions with training participants in deepfake technology. They are now able to deepfake videos and pictures.
“We did this for two reasons. First, not to hide the bad sides of AI from them but to give them, through hands-on methodology, the good and the bad sides.
“The second reason is that if they know deepfake, they are better positioned to detect deepfake videos and images when they see one,” he said.
On the performance of the participants, Okebukola disclosed that a total of 156 participants earned distinction plus certificate; 457 had distinctions; 74 with credit; 131 merit and 113 with pass.
He added that 290 participants earned distinctions in the end-of-course project while 21 participants received special awards.
A former Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, underlined the importance of the training for the successful implementation of the NUC Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS).
Rufai said that the CCMAS was a legacy of Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, and was now in use in Nigerian universities.
Awards were given to distinguished participants at the end of the training.
The Malam Adamu Adamu prize for the overall best graduating participant was awarded to Prof. Omolara Oluwaniyi of the University of Ilorin.
Oluwaniyi also won the Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed Prize for the best participant from the Nigerian university system as well as the Prof. Ngozi Odu Prize for the overall best female participant.
The Sonny Echono Prize for the overall best head of tertiary institutions was won by Prof. Mohammed Tanko, Vice-Chancellor, Mewar University.
Other awards went to Dr. Florence Kakwera, National Council for Higher Education, Malawi; Dr. Bridget Audu, National Universities Commission (Christopher J. Maiyaki Prize); Prof. Ibiyinka Fuwape, Michael and Cecilia Ibru University (Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i Prize); Christie Dasaro, ECWA International College Of Technology, Jos (best serving Rector of Polytechnic).
Others are Prof. Akan Williams, former VC, Covenant University (best former vice-chancellor); Professor Basirat Oladipupo-Folarin, Lagos State University of Science and Technology (best serving deputy vice-chancellor).
The participants at the training included vice-chancellors, rectors of Polytechnics, provosts of Colleges of Education, deputy vice-chancellors, directors of Academic Planning, directors of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), among others.
Technical Lead on Governance of Non-State Systems, Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria programme (PLANE), Dr. James Fadokun, has called for the mainstreaming of Gender Equality, Social Inclusion (GESI) and Safeguarding to help deepen equitable and quality education across public and private basic schools.
He spoke at a two-day capacity development on GESI and safeguarding minimum standards for non-state schools association and gender and safeguarding desk officers in MDAs in Abuja. The training was organised by PLANE through Development Alternative Incorporated (DAI), with funding support from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
He said: “It is very important to mainstream GESI in all our education system because we believe for us to have equitable and quality education, the issue of gender equality and inclusion are very critical.
“We need to ensure that our schools, policies, financing and budget are inclusive. We need to ensure that inclusive and gender teaching is going on in our classes and to ensure that children are protected from all abuses.
“In all our interventions, the issue of GESI and safeguarding are very critical. When you look at what is happening around the non-state schools there are concerns about children’s safety. That is the reason why we felt that this kind of programme was important to let the Federal Ministry of Education be aware of what we are doing around GESI, disability issues and safeguarding.
“It is good to sensitise school managers and planners so that some of these things can be mainstreamed into policies and planning.”
Director, Basic Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Folake Olatunji-David, pledged the support of the government to the implementation of GESI and safeguarding in schools.
Olatunji-David, who was represented by a deputy director in the department, Ogoke Blessing, said: “The idea is to sensitise the non- state schools on the need for gender equality. We need to create awareness on gender equality and create the right atmosphere to ensure that there is no segregation between boys and girls.
“We need to also have the right teachers to ensure that our children acquire the right knowledge.
“The FMoE is ready to collaborate with PLANE in promoting safety and minimum standards as it has to do with gender equality and social inclusion in the private schools.”
Also, the National President, Coalition of Non-state School Association in Nigeria, Saleh Kwaru, said the coalition would monitor the implementation of GESI and safeguarding in private schools.
He said: “The message first is to discuss with the leaders and reach out to our various associations and pass the message across. There are some private schools that have gone far in the implementation even beyond what the government has in place.
“We will ensure that this information is cascaded across to even the smaller schools in the country.”
Participants were encouraged to ensure the implementation of important policies such as The National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools in Nigeria, the National Gender Policy and Inclusive Education Policy, Child Rights Act and the Nigerian Disability Rights Act.
The Total Nucleus Foundation has trained students in the mastery of Computer Based Test (CBT) and other information technology concerns. The students graduated on Tuesday.
The trainees got gift items and certificates, with the best three getting cash gifts.
Patron of the Foundation Senator Gbenga Ashafa described the training as a way to prepare pupils ahead of the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) so they can have a basic knowledge of how CBT operates.
Ashafa said he decided to invest in the initiative because it is helpful in building the confidence of the trainees.
He said: “CBT is basic understanding of technology. Every child is supposed to have knowledge of how to communicate, and the language of today is technology. There is hardly any child that can’t operate a telephone today, and so this kind of training gives them confidence. It also shows that the future is bright in terms of global communication.
“I invested in this group to ensure that children from seven years upwards are prepared ahead of their terminal examinations in preparation for the higher institution.
“This training gives them confidence because they are already familiar with the language of technology. That is why I am urging them to explore and learn more. What they have gotten here is the basics; you can’t know enough about technology because it evolves every day.
“We will also be expanding this initiative, even beyond Lagos East. I have to acknowledge Senator Tokunbo Abiru for his efforts with the SAIL Lab. He is doing so much and we have to also support him so that everybody will have a bit of inclusiveness, just as President Bola Tinubu has said that technology should be inculcated in the school curriculum. We will continue to do our best to prepare our young ones for a great future.”
President of the Foundation Lukman Owolabi said the training is part of the foundation’s education programmes.
“When we heard that WAEC and JAMB will be deploying CBT for their examinations, we thought it would be helpful to prepare the children ahead. Most of them don’t quite understand how CBT operates, so we are glad to invest in them and give them a heads up about what to expect in the examination.
“The training is for secondary school pupils in the junior and senior classes. We wanted to give them a head start so by the time they are in the exam hall, nothing will look strange to them. And it is good they are appreciative of this initiative, which will also spur us to do more.”
The Total Nucleus Foundation has four cardinal objectives which centres on Health, Environment, Education and Information Gathering.
Director, Lagos State Library Board, Mr. Ashimiyu Amoo Oyadipe, has reiterated the board’s commitment to creating an enabling environment, where pupils can read and explore.
Speaking in Lagos during the World Book Day celebration, which the board organised in conjunction with the Lagos State Ministry of Tertiary Education, Oyadipe described this year’s theme: “ Read your way” as apt, adding that it emphasises love and joy of reading.
He stressed the importance of reading wide and urged pupils to take advantage of the 13 public libraries spread across the state.
“We are here to celebrate the joy of reading. This event emphasises the love of reading. Lagos Library board has sparked the interest of pupils in reading and passion for books. The World Book Day is more than a celebration of books, it is about the joy of reading. The board is dedicated to creating a conducive environment where pupils can read and explore. Reading expands vocabulary and sharpens skills. This year’s theme is about giving students a chance to read. There are 13 public libraries spread across districts in the state, students are advised to make use of public libraries closer to them,” he said.
Tutor-General/ Permanent Secretary of Education District II, Mrs. Anike Adekanye, advised pupils not to stop reading because, according to her, a generation that is not reading is a disaster.
The TGPS, who was represented by Director of Education of District II, Mrs. Bosede Macaulay, said reading regularly was crucial to learning, relearning and unlearning.
President, Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria (NBRP), Richard Mammah urged pupils to build a reading culture because the most successful people on earth have a healthy reading culture and a personal library.
Schools in attendance included Ikotun Senior High School, Ikotun, State Senior High School, Oyewole; Coker Senior Secondary School, Iganmu, among others. There were various presentations by pupils at the event.
To equip teachers with the right tools and strategies to support their learners in the ever-changing world, a one-day training programme has been organised by the Crescent Bearers 1939 in collaboration with the Lagos State Government.
The career-defining sessions for the teachers’ conference was held on Saturday, with over 137 teachers drawn from schools across Lagos State present and it was facilitated by Brainy Oaks Educational and Professional Consultants with the theme: “Future-Focused Education: Leading 21st Century Learners”, was targeted at Muslim educators with the objectives of appreciating the changing landscape of education across Africa and in Nigeria specifically as well as explore the use of technology in modern-day learning environments.
In his welcome address, Chairman, Education Committee of Crescent Bearers, ‘Kemi Pinheiro, representing the Chairman, Crescent Bearer 1939, Dele Martins, stated that the objective of the 85 years’ non-profit and non-governmental organisation, Crescent Bearers (1939), in its track-record remains the generous, but purposeful, annual donations to hospitals, orphanages, schools, in addition to undertaking infrastructure refurbishments in several schools, Islamic centres, to mention but a few.
Pinheiro also mentioned that under its chairman, it is the vision and objective of the group to routinely sponsor and train teachers across Islamic institutions of learning by organising seminars and workshops geared towards introducing modules on professionalism, etiquettes, effective communication and others into the teaching practices of teachers with the aim of providing expert guidance and innovative solutions such as the conference.
The Executive Secretary of Lagos State Agency on Domestic & Sexual Violence, Lola Vivour Adeniyi, who spoke on Safeguarding and Child Protection, said: “The Lagos State Government’s expectations of schools regarding safeguarding includes compliance with policies. Schools in Lagos State are expected to adhere to laid down policies and laws on safeguarding children such as the Executive Order (NO. E0/AA08 of 2016), Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, Child Rights Law of Lagos State. These policies are also to be implemented in the schools. For example, all schools in Lagos State are expected to adopt the Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, to be tailored to each school.”
She added: “Schools are expected to keep proper and accurate records of safeguarding concerns, interventions and outcomes so as to improve on their safeguarding policies. They are also expected to actively monitor the well-being of students through the Designated Safeguarding Officer or Guidance Counselor(s) in the school. Schools should do more of organising prevention/ awareness programmes and training for educators and children as ‘ Enlightenment is superior to Enforcement’.”
The conference that was also attended by vice chair education committee Bearer Wahid Oshodi and Exco members Bearers Jaji ,Niji Kazeem SAN and Segun Williams, featured series of engaging and interactive sessions on ‘Becoming an Intentional Educator,’ ‘Safeguarding and Child Protection (Panel Discussion and Expert Presentation,’ ‘Professional Standards for 21st Century Teachers,’ ‘Integrating Technology in Classroom Activities 1 & 2,’ ‘Developing Effective Lessons and Learning Activities (Breakout Sessions). The sessions were facilitated by exemplary models, educators and guests, including Lola Vivour Adeniyi from the Lagos State Ministry of Justice; Mrs. Oyinkan Afolabi, Mr. Jamiu O. Mustafa, Shakirat Olajobi, Dr. Joy Isa, Mrs. Doyin Jawando Adebomehin, Ms. Uzoma Uduma and Ms. Veronica Mordi.
