The Nation Newspaper

Category: Education

  • ‘New varsities threaten funding of existing ones’

    ‘New varsities threaten funding of existing ones’

    • Don seeks more specialised institutions

    Establishing new institutions pose threats to existing ones because of funding challenges, Vice Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi has said.

    Prof. Fatusi declared that the Federal Government must, therefore, sufficiently fund, manage and expand existing institutions rather than establish new ones.

    He spoke while delivering the 25th Founder’s Day lecture of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), titled: “Health Professional’s Education in Nigeria: Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities in the 21st Century”.

    The don, who reiterated the importance of schools moving to another era of development, identified research as a key component to the development of health institutions. He said each school must have something that sets it apart.

    Other important elements, according to him, are diversity in the number of courses and a responsive curriculum for a radical difference, efficiency in uninterrupted calendar, resilience in terms of disaster, strategic communications, teaching student leadership skills, and factoring the teacher dimension to work in an environment of sense of pride.

    He said: “I’m not saying government should not establish more schools, but there must be money to fund it. Waiting for TETFund, which is what most state governments do, is a wrong approach, especially when there is more than one school, meaning that funding will be shared between them. I don’t have a problem with you establishing 10 schools, if you can fund it.”

    The don proposed the establishment of specialised medical institutions to give more professional focus to the field.

    He said: “Medical science is a wide area and, as a country, we’ve lost focus sufficiently. We only focus on a few – medicine and nursing –while there are many other areas that need attention, for example physiotherapy. Children are being born without speech, they need physiotherapy but nobody is teaching them. There are so many gaps that need to be addressed and existing medical schools are limited because they are just faculties.

    “But a university of medical science will cover and teach a wide variety of courses because it is solely focused on medicine and can expand throughout the areas of medical sciences. That has been our experience at the University of Medical Sciences, being the first Nigerian university of sciences.”

    LASUCOM Provost Prof. Abiodun Adewuya hoped that soon, Nigerians would no longer seek treatment outside the country because such would be available in the country.

    He said: “In the next 10 years, I think medicine will get to a level where many Nigerians will not need to travel out again. They will travel not because they cannot achieve that healthcare in Nigeria, but maybe because they just want to go for holiday. So, if you give us 10 years, Nigerians will realise that we actually have one of the best healthcare in the world. The problem is that most of us are not patient for it.”

    The provost also described LASUCOM as the perfect training ground for professional healthcare personnel.

    Read Also: Why Nigerian varsities must embark on solution-driven researches, by President

    “We are celebrating 25 years of medical education excellence. We’ve been training doctors and we are very proud of them. We also have the mandate to produce more health personnel, particularly to replace those who are leaving. It also goes to show that we produce high quality doctors that can go anywhere in the world and do well.

    “Now, we can’t stop them from leaving, but we want to make sure there are others to replace them. The college is ready to transit to a full fledge specialised institution and ramp up the production of health workers in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S.+ Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. We will produce more doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dentists, not only for Lagos but for the whole of Nigeria.

    “The field of medical education is constantly evolving, driven by advancements in technology, changes in healthcare policies, and shifting societal needs. As we strive to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world, it is imperative that we remain vigilant, adaptable and forward-thinking in our approach.”

    Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi restated the government’s readiness to address challenges bedeviling the health sector.

    “We are in a health crisis but Lagos will step up and think outside the box to address human resources for health responsively and appropriately through universal health coverage for residents,” he said.

    His Tertiary Education counterpart Tolani Sule, also said the government would continue to allocate greater resources for the higher institutions. “Government will provide all that is necessary for seamless teaching and learning in the college,” he added.

    Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab, former Commissioner for Health Jide Idris, businessman Aderemi Makanjuola were honoured with Amici Collegii Medici (Friends of the Medical College) award.

    Chairman of the College’s Court of Governors Dr. Julianah Lawson received the Magnum Cum Laude award.

  • Ronik Comprehensive School holds inter-house sports

    Ronik Comprehensive School holds inter-house sports

    RONIK Comprehensive School, Ejigbo, Lagos State will hold its biennial Inter-house Sports Competition on Friday, February 16, this year between 11am and 3pm at its Sports Complex in its premises.

    In a statement, its Principal, Mrs Victoria Duru, said the contest would be held in tandem with the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) rules and regulation.

    Read Also: Davebrook marks maiden inter-house sports

    Billed to Chair the occasion is Mr Austin Onyero while Mr Chris Alabi, a business mogul and founder of Ronik Group of Schools, is the Father of the day.

    Participating houses are Balewa(Yellow), Awolowo (Green), Azikiwe (Red) and Macaulay (Blue).

  • Controversy trails House panel’s oversight on TETFund intervention in tertiary institutions

    Controversy trails House panel’s oversight on TETFund intervention in tertiary institutions

    In January, President Bola Tinubu approved the release of over N640 billion as 2024 intervention for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education under the 2024 TETFund intervention. But the implementation of that intervention by the benefiting institutions appears to be in jeopardy following directives by the House Committee on TETFund that the implementation be put on hold. But this has not gone down well with the institutions which accused the committee of meddling in their internal affair. But the House rose in its defence, saying it was merely carrying out its constitutional oversight. TONY AKOWE reports.

    When President Bola Tinubu ordered the release of the 2024 intervention fund by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to institutions of higher learning, it was to ensure that new and ongoing projects in the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country meet up the infrastructural challenges confronting them. He did not envisage that the institutions would have challenges in accessing the fund, more so the challenges coming from the parliament.

    Speaking at the 2024 Strategic Planning Meeting held with heads of the institutions, Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, informed them that the President had approved N683 billion as this year’s allocation to beneficiary institutions under the TETFund scheme.

    Echono said: “I am pleased to inform you that Mr. President has approved the 2024 disbursement guidelines in the total sum of N683,429,268,402.64. From this total, 90.75 per cent is budgeted for direct disbursement and 8.94 per cent for some designated special projects. A stabilisation of 2.27 per cent is allowed to enable the fund respond to emerging issues. This is inclusive of the difference between actual collections and the projections made for November and December 2023 collections as requested and approved by Mr. President.

    “Based on this approval, each university will get for the 2024 intervention cycle, the total amount of N1, 906,944,930.00. This comprises N1, 656,944,930.00 as Annual Direct Disbursement and N250 million as zonal intervention. Similarly, each polytechnic will get N1,165,355,235, comprising of N1,015,355,235 as Annual Direct Disbursement and N150 million as zonal intervention, while each college of education will get N1,398,426,282, comprising of N1,248,426,282.00 as annual direct disbursement and N150 million as zonal intervention.”

    A new dimension allegedly stopping projects’ implementation

    The House Committee overseeing TETFund headed by Mariam Odinaka Onuoha reportedly wrote to the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities not to implement this year’s intervention projects pending public hearing and verification of such projects. A media report quoted heads of institutions as accusing the committee of demanding money from them to approve the implementation of their projects.

    The Nation’s finding have shown that 53 federal universities, 63 state universities, 38 federal polytechnics, 49 state polytechnics and many federal and state colleges of education are qualified to access interventions from TETFund. Money obtained from the fund is supposed to be used to provide essential physical infrastructure for teaching and learning, instructional materials and equipment, support for research and publications, and academic staff training and development, among others.

    The Act setting up the fund, however, set out criteria for accessing the fund. But the institutions are also accusing the committee of demanding the payment of N2 million to facilitate the “verification” of documents submitted to the House committee.

    House panel denies allegation

     But, the House has denied the allegation of meddling in the activities of the institutions, saying the constitutional mandate of oversight should not be seen as meddling or interfering in the activities of the institutions.

    Spokesperson of the House, Akintunde Rotimi, said in a statement that the report was an attempt to smear the image of the House.

    He, however, did not deny the stoppage of the release of the fund by the committee, but said the directive was part of the oversight function of the committee. He said it was within the constitutional mandate of the committee.

    Rotimi said the legislative oversight or directives over monies appropriated by parliament for a public institution neither constitutes “unwholesome overbearing influence” in the management of the schools nor “breaches their autonomy” as argued in both reports.

    The House spokesman said: “Section 80(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), clearly spells out: “No money shall be withdrawn from any public fund of the Federation, other than the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation unless the issue of those money has been authorised by an Act of the National Assembly.”

    He said further: “Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution also give the National Assembly powers to direct or cause to be directed, investigation into the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry or government, department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for disbursing or administering moneys appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly. The Nigerian Constitution serves as the Supreme Law of the Land, and every legislation or action remains subordinate to the provisions of the constitution even in the case of a seeming contradiction. This is by virtue of Section 1 of the same constitution and there have been a plethora of the apex court’s affirmations of this principle. It is essential to recognise that the constitution acts as the litmus test for the validity of every other law or action in the country, ensuring adherence to constitutional principles.”

     Rotimi argued: “In light of this constitutional imperative, it is our firm belief that the TETFund Act, like any other legislation in Nigeria, should be interpreted and applied in harmony with the Constitution.”

    In trying to justify the directive of the committee that the implementation be put on hold, Rotimi said the Nigerian Constitution gave the National Assembly the power to authorise withdrawal from public funds.

    Question on House power on budgeted funds

    The question, however, is whether the power of appropriation granted to the National Assembly extends to granting approval to government agencies to spend the funds budgeted for them for the purpose the fund is meant for.

    The House spokesman said: “While Section 7(5) of the TETFund Act may not explicitly mention National Assembly approval, it should be read and understood within the broader context of the Constitution, which mandates such approval for withdrawals from public funds.

    The section states: “The Minister shall, on the recommendation of the Board of Trustees and subject to approval by the President, make guidelines for disbursement of funds under this Act”. But, Rotimi said: “The absence of an express statement in the TETFund Act for National Assembly approval does not imply an exemption from constitutional provisions. Rather, it can be interpreted as an inherent understanding that all legislation, including the TETFund Act, is subject to the overarching principles enshrined in the Constitution.”

    Rotimi stressed that “the directive by the House Committee on TETFUND in its letter to the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), requesting a suspension of the implementation of the Intervention Fund pending its approval is, therefore, well within constitutional bounds and in line with the need to ensure accountability.” He believes that the complaint against the committee is blackmail against them.

    He said: “For any one or entity to resort to blackmail of the committee with allegations of extortion, they must understand that such an action is libelous and necessary legal action would be taken. Not forgetting that the content of these reports raises fresh fears about the falling standard of journalism in our dear country; given especially that mere insinuations (rather than statement of proofs) could be elevated in such manner by any national daily.”

    He, however, said that there is a joint public hearing on the intervention programme organised by the National Assembly joint Committee on TETFund.

    Read Also: TETFund NRF grants YABATECH N34m for prostate cancer treatment

    He said: “A similar approach was employed during Budget Defence by the various Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Parastatals and Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) during consideration of the 2024 Appropriation Bill (now Act). We believe that the action of holding Joint Committee meetings,where necessary, allays whatever fears (due to cost and sundry reasons) such that agencies of government will have to interface with the so-called ‘duplicated committees’, as insinuated in one of the reports.”

    He dismissed the report, saying the national Assembly has not received any complaint from the heads of institutions or their leadership.

    Rotimi recalled a case concerning the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and some universities. “It is on record that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) wrote to some universities in July 2023, as part of its investigation into alleged Violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. The ICPC had in its letter requested these universities to direct some of its staff to refund unutilised funds released to them under conferences and ensure that the same is paid into ICPC’s TSA Recovery Account through a Remita Platform.

    “As a legislature desirous of effective service delivery, the Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen-led House believes that such issues are avoidable where strengthened oversight exists. In line with our eight-point Legislative Agenda, Strengthening Good Governance is the first among the eight priorities of this Assembly so listed. Anti-Corruption and Legislative Oversight are key pillars in these efforts at strengthening good governance. It, therefore, follows that hearings such as these are to be recognised and respected as part of legislative initiatives to strengthen our oversight functions to combat corruption in Nigeria,” he added.

  • ANCOPSS hails group for buying JAMB forms for indigent students

    ANCOPSS hails group for buying JAMB forms for indigent students

    All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) has hailed a group known as Muhydeen Okunlola Kayode (MOK) Foundation for awarding Joint Admissions and Matriculation (JAMB) scholarship to 300 indigent students in Offa and Oyun local government areas of Kwara State.

    Secretary of ANCOPSS in the state, Laolu Oyawoye, who doubles as the Principal of Moremi High School, said this in Offa at the phased commencement of registration of the beneficiaries.

    Oyawoye added that with the gesture, the founder of the foundation had written his name in gold.

    He said: “Recently, we were at Offa Grammar School Auditorium where students were awarded scholarships spanning over 130 students through the efforts of MOK Foundation.

    “Today again, we are here to give JAMB scholarships to students, courtesy of the MOK Foundation. MOK has written his name in gold with what he is doing. He is building the community.”

    The vice principal prayed for the foundation, admonishing the students to utilise the opportunity and be committed to their academic careers.

    The registration is being done in batches starting with 250 and an additional 50 beneficiaries.

    Read Also: COVID-19: FCT Schools safe, ready for reopening – ANCOPSS

    Earlier, Executive Director of the foundation, Mr. Lawal Saheed, noted that education is part of the goals of the foundation and the scholarship programme aimed to empower talented and underprivileged students by removing financial barriers to their educational pursuits. He added that the foundation believes that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their background.

    The 300 recipients were chosen through a rigorous selection process based on academic merit, financial need and a demonstrated commitment to community service.

    “We are very happy for this scholarship provided to us by MOK Foundation and we shall forever be grateful to them, “ a beneficiary, Ayomide Oparinde said.

    Also speaking, the Head of Department of Humanities at the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Mr. Muhydeen Bammeke, said the founder of MOK Foundation is not an elected official nor honorable. He said he is an entrepreneur, working assiduously to make money and give back to the society.

    He highlighted some of the previous interventions of the foundation in the areas of the procurement of tractors for free farm mechanisation, payment of medical bills of the less-privileged, security intervention, and a series of empowerment in the community.

  • BEQA institutes creativity prizes

    BEQA institutes creativity prizes

    The Benue State Education Quality Assurance Agency (BEQA) has instituted two creativity prizes: Prof. Terhemba Shija Poetry Prize and Prof. Victoria Mnguember Sylvester Short Stories Prize.

    The prizes are open to basic and senior school children of Benue origin aged between 12 and 17.

    Each category winner will take home N300,000 prize money while the first and second runner up take home N200,000  and N100,000.

    Read Also: NSIB releases report on aircraft accident at Ibadan Airport

    BEQA’s Director-General Dr. Terna Francis announced the two prizes during an interactive session with members of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Benue State Chapter, on February 7, at the agency’s headquarters, Makurdi.

    BEQA was created by Governor Hyacinth Alia in December last year, for the purpose of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

    Entries for the prizes will open from February 25, says Dr. Terna.

    Winners will be presented with prizes at this year’s World Literacy Day, on September 8.

  • Inmates win laptop, coding book at computer training

    Inmates win laptop, coding book at computer training

    Two inmates  of the Kirikiri Medium  Correctional  Centre, Lagos  State  have won a new laptop  and coding book at a contest  organised  by correctional  centre, in partnership with the Access  for  Youths to  Information  Technology Initiative (AYIITI) and Anchor  Heritage Initiative.

    Twenty inmates were trained in computer programming.

    The Controller, Lagos State Command of the Correctional Centre,  Mr. Ben-Rabbi  Freedman, appreciated  the  partners for the training and added that the centre had secured the approval  of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)  to award  diploma to inmates upon graduation.

    The controller urged the trainees to put what they have learnt into practice and take advantage of the programme to acquire relevant skills that would make them employable after their release. Also, the  DCC charged  the inmates  to comport  themselves.

    Read Also: Foundation to train female inmates, others

    Managing Director, AYIITI, Mr. Olubodun Akinyele, said the initiative dated back to 2011 and that his objective was to give back to the society.

    “Programming pulled me out of poverty. It gave me my best memories and opportunities to be who I want to be.

    “I believe my journey to freedom can be replicated for other children and adults living in marginalised communities by lowering the barrier to attaining programming knowledge,” Akinyele said.

    Chief Operating Officer, Anchor Heritage Initiative, Bidemi Oladipo said: “This is not just programming, it is programming for a better world. The initiative is partnering other tech companies to train the inmates for onward transfer to NOUN to issue diploma certificates.”

    At the event was the Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), Kirikiri Medium Custodial Centre, Mr. Michael Anugwa, among other personalities.

  • FUTA offers Computer Science in Distance Learning Centre

    FUTA offers Computer Science in Distance Learning Centre

    The Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) has said its Computer Science programme in the institution’s Open and Distance Learning Centre (ODLC) would expose learners and candidates to   innovative blended learning approach.

    A statement by the university noted that distance, the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)  and age are no longer  barriers to getting a B.Sc in Computer Science.  It described tuition as  highly affordable and  lower than most regular programmes.

    Read Also: FUTA frowns as EFCC raids, arrest students

    The university urged candidates to utilise  the world class laboratories and computing facilities available, adding that they would be eligible for mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme on graduation before the age of 30 and get the same certificate as regular students.

    It said candidates seeking admission to 100-Level should possess five credits in the SSCE/GCE/NECO, including English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology or Agricultural Science or Economics or any other relevant subject taken in not more than two sittings.

    It noted that those without JAMB-UTME result can also  apply, adding that application form  is N20,000.

    It is a new dawn as technology drives the learning space, join the train. There is opportunity for young school leavers, working class and those in regular employment to apply.

    “Visit https://odlportal.futa.edu.ng/account/student/login to complete your application and experience a highly innovative blended learning approach suited for all categories of candidates,” the university said.

  • ‘Join plans to build our alma mater’

    ‘Join plans to build our alma mater’

    Members of Birch Freeman Old Boys Association (BIFOBA) have been urged to join the train of building the association together to serve the school and not themselves.

    The newly elected BIFOBA President, Gen. Anthony Onibasa, said this in his inaugural speech, after the handing over and swearing in new executive members of the body.

    The event, which was held on Sunday, at BIFOBA Hall, had in attendance, members of the association from different sets.

    Onibasa promised that he, alongside other exco members would strive to achieve unity, mutual support and build stronger network, while ensuring that members of the association are on the same page.

    “My fellow elected executive council and I promise to vehemently work towards achieving one united, undivided and progressive BIFOBA.

    “It is time for progressive change. It is time to put our egos under and put on our cloaks of meekness. It is time to take our place in the comity of legacy school and we must work as one to accomplish this task.

     “I shall provide servant leadership that will allow the best of us to serve the rest of us,” he pledged.

    He also urged members of the association to “recreate a BIFOBA that will work for the school, its students and the entire membership of the association. To this end, we shall, working with all members, strive to improve facilities in the school, and reignite the tradition of “trained for duty and for thee.

    “I am, therefore, appealing to old boys here present and those who shall hear or read this speech in days to come, to join this train and let us build BIFOBA together to serve the school and not ourselves; let us build our school together.”

    Read Also: CMS Bariga old students make case for alma maters

    Frances Van-Lere, from 1970 set,, urged the association members to abide by the vision of the founding fathers, by respecting the constitution, being transparent and adhering to rules of law, as this would curtail crisis.

    “Right now, we have crisis in the association. I am saying that enough of the crisis. This 2024, we must settle our differences because of this children that we are trying to help, are the ones suffering. There are works to be done here. We need to carry on more projects in the school. Currently, we are building a project that would be completed soon,” he said.

    BIFOBA’s pioneer president, Dipo Olokun, an engineer, urged the members in diaspora to come on board to move the association forward.

    His words: “Every member of BIFOBA should come together and impact our union. They should not fight us from outside. They should join us.”

    Election of the association’s executive committee members was conducted on an e-voting platform (election runner) on November 19, 2023, with 82 accredited voters.

    Ten elected members were sworn in, ranging from the President, Vice president (School Affairs), Vice President 2 (Govt Affairs), Secretary- General, Asst. Secretary-General, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, Social Secretary and Welfare Officer.

  • Katsina seeks TETFund assistance for tertiary institutions

    Katsina seeks TETFund assistance for tertiary institutions

    Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has asked the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to support the state to address the challenges of insecurity affecting tertiary institutions in the state.

    He made the request during a visit to TETFund headquarters in Abuja.

    The governor explained that the interventions would provide for the needed infrastructure for the safety of the students, adding that the state is in the process of converting its ICT institution to a university of technology.

    He said a lot of students had been kidnapped, hence the need for the support to enable the state to provide adequate infrastructure for students to learn.

    The governor said: “We need to appreciate the Federal Government for these interventions. What could our institutions be without you?

    “The states are struggling, the country is struggling in terms of economic hardship, depreciation of naira, high food stuff, and effect on removal of subsidy.

    “The northern parts are struggling with insecurity. The resources we receive will not be adequate to address the challenges in the state so TETFund is a place we can come to for support.

    Read Also: TETFund NRF grants YABATECH N34m for prostate cancer treatment

    “We are having a threat of insecurity and a lot of students have been kidnapped, so we need a lot of security in the institutions to make students learn in a conducive environment.”

    Executive Secretary of TETFund Sonny Echono explained that insecurity was a national issue affecting not only education but promised that the necessary infrastructure would be put in place to address them.

    Echono said the agency had prioritised the trouble spots with measures in place to address the issues.

    He said: “Given the expansion in tertiary institutions in recent times, I am aware we are in the process of getting University of Transportation into the mainstream of our interventions.

    “We have seven to eight institutions in the state benefiting from TETFund. Katsina is in the eyes of problems of insecurity.

    “We had already prioritise Katsina in our security intervention because President Bola Tinubu is determined that in time of crisis, education must not stop.”

    He, however, said that TETFund has commenced its intervention line for the year, saying beneficiary institutions across the country have benefitted between N1.1 billion and N1.9 billion in its intervention line. He, therefore, advised the state’s Commissioner of Education to liaise with TETFund to enlist the institutions to benefit in its interventions.

  • Rural education Initiative wins Unleash Plus Mastercard Prize for 2023

    Rural education Initiative wins Unleash Plus Mastercard Prize for 2023

    The Aid for Rural Education Access Initiative (AREAi) has achieved success in the 2023 UNLEASH Rwanda Dragons’ Den Pitch for FastTrack. 

    The initiative, led by Executive Director Prince Gideon Olanrewaju, secured the Mastercard Foundation Prize of $5000 after a 6-month incubation program.

    AREAi’s FastTrack solution, utilizing three learning approaches, garnered attention for its innovative approach to fostering literacy and numeracy skills.

    Olanrewaju stated that the funds would be invested in professional development and expanding program coverage to benefit 200 more individuals.

    FastTrack, a technology-enabled skills development program, focuses on foundational literacy and numeracy for out-of-school refugee children.

    Read Also: AGF, Education minister lament prevalence of gender-based violence in schools

    Currently reaching over 4000 children, the program’s success lies in its tailored teaching approach, proving cost-effective in improving basic skills.

    As a UNLEASH Plus Innovation Lab winner, AREAi received a $5000 grant, affirming FastTrack’s global recognition.

     The organization plans to expand into seven additional states in Nigeria and three neighboring countries within the next 12 months.

    The Executive Director, Olanrewaju, emphasized the transformative potential of their impact beyond borders, highlighting their commitment to addressing educational gaps in Africa. UNLEASH Plus, a 6-month incubation program, supports early-stage social entrepreneurs with promising ideas and teams, providing essential resources for their solutions.