The Nation Newspaper

Category: Education

  • UNIJOS student machetes colleague to death

    UNIJOS student machetes colleague to death

    A student of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) was allegedly murdered by his fellow student at his Rurso off-campus apartment at the weekend.

    The Nation gathered that the deceased, identified as Peter Mafuyai, a 300-level student of the Department of Banking and Finance, was reportedly killed by Nanpon Timnan, a 200-level student of Agriculture, who subsequently buried him in a shallow grave in the area.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the two students were friends and would often spend time together.

    It was further gathered that on the day of the incident, they reportedly went out to play football, returned home, and later proceeded to a music studio for a recording session before coming back to their residence.

    “Upon returning from the studio, he (Nanpon) went to get a machete. The other occupants of the compound, who were also friends with them, asked what he wanted to do with it, and he said he needed it for something.

    “He then struck his friend with the machete. The other occupants of the compound began shouting and asked what the victim had done to deserve that, but he did not respond. They ran out to call for help, and by the time they returned, he had buried the body behind the house in a shallow grave.

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    Meanwhile, the police have since invited all the friends for questioning and are currently investigating the matter,” a source said.

    However, the motive behind the killing, another source said it was still unclear but might not be unconnected with the music project they were working on together.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Plateau State Command DSP Alfred Alabo said he would issue an official statement today, when The Nation called for his reaction or comment on the issue.

  • Tinubu inaugurates seven projects at UNILORIN

    Tinubu inaugurates seven projects at UNILORIN

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated projects at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), as part of activities to mark the institution’s 40th convocation.

    They include Faculty of Social Sciences building, a block of four lecture halls for Faculties of Social Sciences and Management Sciences, Department of English Drama studio in the Faculty of Arts, renovated blocks 1–10, renovated Department of Geography and Environmental Management building, remodelled UNILORIN Innovation Hub, and Technical Entrepreneurship Centre Road.

    President Tinubu, represented by the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof. Adenike Oladiji, said the new projects underscored the essence of a true university system dedicated to the service of humanity.

    He urged the university authorities to ensure proper maintenance and monitoring of the facilities, stressing that his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda remained committed to advancing education and infrastructural development across Nigeria.

    He said: “These projects symbolise the spirit of progress and innovation we envision for our nation. I urge Nigerians to believe in the Renewed Hope Agenda and support efforts to move the country from grass to grace.’’

    President Tinubu hailed the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, and his management team for their dedication to transforming the university and aligning its vision with national development goals.

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    The Chancellor and Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumin Usman, represented by the Waziri of Katsina, Senator Ibrahim Idah, lauded UNILORIN’s commitment to academic excellence and a conducive learning environment.

    He described the projects as “worthwhile initiatives” that would enhance teaching, learning and research, adding that the university’s focus on skill development would prepare students for life beyond the classroom.

    Prof. Egbewole thanked President Tinubu for honouring the institution’s invitation and supporting its infrastructural growth.

    “We remain committed to continuous improvement and will ensure the university grows stronger and better each day,” he said.

    Dignitaries at the ceremony included the Pro-Chancellor, Abiodun Aluko; principal officers of the university and well-wishers from within and outside the institution.

  • Students explore new academic horizons at choose France Nigeria fair

    Students explore new academic horizons at choose France Nigeria fair

    Over 200 students gathered at the University of Lagos on October 17, 2025, for a lively “Study in France” fair organised by Campus France and the Embassy of France in Nigeria, an event that connected Unilag students with global academic opportunities.

    The Multi-Purpose Hall of the University of Lagos (Unilag) came alive with energy and curiosity as students interacted directly with representatives from prestigious French higher education institutions. The fair formed part of the Choose France Nigeria program, a major initiative aimed at promoting French higher education and fostering academic cooperation between France and Nigeria.

    This year’s edition featured 12 business and management schools, five engineering schools, two public universities, three organisations and for the first time in Nigeria, three art schools.       The diversity of the institutions reflected the wide range of academic opportunities available to Nigerian students in France.

    Throughout the afternoon, students eagerly visited the stands, asking about study programs, admission procedures, tuition fees, living conditions and scholarship opportunities. Among the busiest booths were those of the public universities, which offer master’s programs for less than €4,000 per year. The Campus France stand also drew significant attention, with the opening of the international Études En France (EEF) platform until December 1, allowing applicants to apply for up to seven master’s programs through a single application.

    Students were also keen to learn about key aspects of their application files, including motivation letters, interview preparation, and the documents required for a complete submission (WAEC or NECO, transcripts and certificates, CV, motivation letter and passport or ID). Many also inquired about language requirements: while speaking French is a great advantage, a French language certificate is not mandatory for those enrolling in English-taught programs and there are more than 1,500 such programs available in France.

    Designed to recreate the atmosphere of major international education fairs, the event offered Unilag students direct access to high-quality academic information right on their campus. Participants expressed their excitement about meeting French university representatives and appreciated the practical advice on scholarships and program selection.      Department and faculty members also took the opportunity to engage with the French delegates.

    The visiting representatives praised the enthusiasm, curiosity and preparedness of Unilag students and representatives, as well as the professional organization of the fair by Campus France Nigeria and the Embassy of France. By mid-afternoon, the hall was filled with lively exchanges, embodying a shared spirit of ambition and discovery.

    Campus France Nigeria expressed gratitude to the University of Lagos for its invaluable collaboration and hospitality in hosting this event. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to empowering students through international education and cultural exchange. Students who wish to learn more about studying in France can visit the Campus France corner located at the University of Lagos, Centre de Ressource de Langue Française – Faculty of Arts, Room G02.

    The Embassy of France in Nigeria says it remains committed to deepening its collaboration with Nigerian institutions, and events like the Unilag fair demonstrate the tangible results of this partnership.

  • LASU Professor recounts rise from lab assistant to Dean ahead inaugural lecture

    LASU Professor recounts rise from lab assistant to Dean ahead inaugural lecture

    Dean, Faculty of Science, Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Moses Adebowale Akanbi, will on November 11, 2025, deliver his inaugural lecture titled: “The Nature of Error: Human Fallibility versus Divine Infallibility in Computational Thought.”

    Ahead of the event, the renowned scholar in computational mathematics and digital transformation has reflected on his remarkable journey at LASU — a journey that began in 1989 as a laboratory assistant and evolved into a distinguished academic career marked by faith, resilience, and divine grace.

    “I began my journey at LASU not as a lecturer or even a student, but as a laboratory assistant,” he said. “I was a young boy with no connections, no privilege, and no clear roadmap. I only had dreams and a love for mathematics.”

    Akanbi said his turning point came in 1990 when he attended Impact ’90, an event organised by the LASU Christian Fellowship, where he had what he described as a “dramatic encounter with God.”

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    “In that moment, my fallibility met His infallibility,” he recalled. “From that day, my journey became less about what I could accomplish and more about what God could do through me.”

    After the experience, he enrolled as a student at LASU in 1990 and, through diligence and perseverance, rose through the ranks to become a Graduate Assistant in 1998.

    “Each step was a lesson in grace,” he said. “The research, innovations, inventions, and students I have mentored are all reflections of God’s faithfulness, not my own strength.”

    Now a professor, inventor, and systems innovator, Akanbi said his forthcoming inaugural lecture goes beyond academic achievement, describing it as “a testimony of divine favour and a moment to acknowledge God’s faithfulness.”

    He added that through his upcoming inspirational series, The Journey of Grace, he hopes to motivate young Nigerians to trust in God’s timing and never give up on their dreams.

    “My hope is that my story inspires someone to believe again,” he said. “Because beyond the titles, I am, above all, a testimony that God still raises men from humble beginnings to glorious heights.”

  • Why we expanded PAP’s scholarship scheme, by Otuaro

    Why we expanded PAP’s scholarship scheme, by Otuaro

    The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has said that the desire to capture more indigent students and communities led to the expansion of the  PAP’s scholarship scheme.

    Otuaro spoke while explaining his decision to expand the scheme and increase formal education opportunities for poor students and to build a huge manpower base in the region.

    Otuaro spoke during an interactive session in London at the weekend with the beneficiaries of the scholarship initiative deployed for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in universities across the United Kingdom.

    A statement by Otuaro’s Special Assistant on Media, Igoniko Oduma, said the engagement, which was at the instance of the PAP boss, provided an opportunity for the Amnesty Office and the scholarship students to discuss issues pertaining to their welfare and challenges with a view to addressing them.

    Otuaro said that while in-country scholarship deployment was 3800 in the 2024/2025 academic year, the figure increased to 3900 in the 2025/2026 and foreign scholarships were about 200.

    He attributed the increase in deployment to the massive support of President Bola Tinubu and the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    Otuaro stressed that he was greatly encouraged by the President and the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and that he knows how impressed both of them are concerning the PAP initiatives, which align with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    He reiterated his call on the students to justify the huge investment in their education by the Federal Government by studying hard to make good grades.

    He also urged them to conduct themselves and be responsible ambassadors of Nigeria while in the U.K, stressing that “you will be adding value to your families and communities when you complete your programmes successfully.”

    The PAP boss said: “We want the scholarship programme to impact more students and communities in the Niger Delta. That’s why we have expanded it and increased formal education opportunities.

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    “We want you to take this opportunity very seriously so that the government, too, will be encouraged. I know how much support His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu GCFR, gives to the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

    “Mr President and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, are very impressed with what we are doing. On your behalf I would like to, once again , thank His Excellency and the NSA for giving you this life-changing opportunity. We are confident that Mr President and the NSA will continue to support us.

    “The knowledge you are receiving in your institutions today is to enable you plan yourself and prepare for the future. Whatever knowledge you gain cannot be taken from you. 

    “So as PAP scholarship students, we expect responsible and good behaviour from you. Government is investing heavily in you and you have the obligation to justify the investment. Be agents of change and avoid acts of mischief while in the U.K.”

  • NECO opens UK exam centre for Nigerians in Diaspora

    NECO opens UK exam centre for Nigerians in Diaspora

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced the establishment of a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom, as part of its global expansion drive to provide credible assessment opportunities for Nigerians in the diaspora.

    Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, who unveiled the centre during the Education Matters Conference UK 2025, said the initiative was developed in partnership with Barnfield Education Ltd.

    In a statement on Sunday by NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, the Registrar said: “The initiative aims to provide opportunities for Nigerian students and adult learners in the UK who, for various reasons, have been unable to complete secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.

    “Our objective is to provide credible and accessible examination opportunities for Nigerians residing abroad in line with the Federal Government’s education policy on inclusivity and global engagement.”

    The NECO chief described the new Senior School Certificate Examination centre as a strategic step toward extending NECO’s global footprint, adding that the Council now administers examinations in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, with new centres awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso.

    Wushishi noted that the London centre would empower Nigerians abroad, promote national pride, and strengthen the global recognition of NECO certificates, which are already accepted by several UK universities, including Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University, as well as institutions in the United States, Canada, India, China, and Russia.

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    Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, commended NECO for the initiative, describing it as a crucial step toward ensuring that “no Nigerian child, at home or abroad, is left behind.”

    Alausa said the move aligned with the Federal Ministry of Education’s goal of leveraging the diaspora as a vital educational resource.

    The statement added that the Director of BEP Education and NECO’s UK partner, Dr John Ibanga, said the new centre would serve as an alternative pathway for Nigerian students in the UK who face challenges within the British education system, particularly those unable to obtain the General Certificate of Secondary Education.

    Ibanga said: “Many Nigerian children encounter barriers in the UK system that limit their progression.

    “This new NECO SSCE Centre provides a recognised alternative for both young learners and adults seeking academic or vocational advancement.”

    During a courtesy visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London, the statement noted that the Registrar briefed the Mission on the establishment and accreditation of the new centre, stressing that the UK remains a strategic hub for expanding educational access to Nigerians abroad.

    Responding, the Head of Political Affairs at the Mission, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, praised NECO’s move as a “timely and commendable effort” consistent with Nigeria’s policy on educational inclusivity and diaspora engagement.

    Abu-Obe added: “The Mission will collaborate with NECO to advance Nigeria’s educational and developmental objectives in the United Kingdom.”

  • VAU condemns alleged blackmail of MAAUN lecturer, varsity

    VAU condemns alleged blackmail of MAAUN lecturer, varsity

    The Voice of African Universities (VAU) has condemned what it described as a “malicious and targeted blackmail attempt” against a faculty member and the Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano.

    In a statement by the organisation’s Vice President for Higher Education Development, Fafana Khalidou, the incident arose after a parent and student allegedly attempted to bypass standard examination procedures. 

    The parent reportedly appeared uninvited at an examination venue, demanding that his daughter be allowed to sit for an exam without the requisite exam clearance card.

    When the supervising lecturer, Dr. M. Adamu, insisted on compliance with university regulations, the situation allegedly escalated into a verbal confrontation. 

    The parent and student were accused of covertly recording the exchange, editing the footage to misrepresent the lecturer’s actions, and circulating it on social media in an apparent bid to discredit both the academic and the university.

    VAU described the act as “a calculated attempt to undermine institutional integrity and academic governance.”

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    “No individual — regardless of wealth, family background, or social connections — is above institutional rules,” the statement reads. “Respect for ethics and due process is the foundation upon which higher education stands.”

    VAU praised Dr. Adamu’s “measured and principled response,” which it said exemplified professionalism under provocation. 

    The organisation expressed zero tolerance for attempts to intimidate or blackmail educators performing their lawful duties, adding that such incidents threaten the very fabric of academic freedom and fairness.

    “The lecturer’s response — reminding the parent that ethics must be respected regardless of status — was both appropriate and commendable,” Khalidou said. “It is unacceptable for educators to be vilified for upholding standards.”

    VAU also commended MAAUN for taking prompt disciplinary and legal measures to address the matter. The body called for a thorough investigation and appropriate sanctions against those responsible, in accordance with university statutes.

    “We will continue to monitor developments and advocate for stronger safeguards across African universities against similar abuses,” the statement noted.

    The incident, VAU warned, reflects a growing trend of individuals using influence or social media manipulation to subvert academic rules. 

    The organisation urged universities across Africa to stand together in defending merit-based systems and protecting educators from undue pressure.

  • Arthur Eze emerges Governing Council Chairman of Isaac Balami University

    Arthur Eze emerges Governing Council Chairman of Isaac Balami University

    Prominent South East businessman and philanthropist, Prince (Dr.) Arthur Eze, has been unveiled as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautic and Management (IBUAM).

    The unveiling ceremony, which held on Friday in Abuja, featured the formal presentation of an appointment letter to Chief Eze by the university’s board and management team.

    Speaking during the event, the founder and president of the university, Comrade Isaac Balami, said Chief Eze was appointed in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education, philanthropy, and national development.

    He described the billionaire businessman as a man who has consistently used his wealth to uplift people and institutions, noting that his leadership would bring immense value to the young university’s vision and mission.

    Balami said: “Our leader and chairman, Prince Dr. Arthur Eze, chairman of the governing council of the newly licensed Isaac Balami University of Aeronautic and Management, courtesy of Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmad Tinubu.

    “We are presenting this to you not just as a leader who has distinguished himself on the African soil, but as a global citizen.

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    “You founded an airline and operated one of the biggest aircraft hangars in Europe, based in Stansted Airport, and you understand aviation very well. This responsibility is for you to guide us the way you have guided others.

    “We are totally submissive to your leadership, your guidance, and your prayers. On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Senate of the university, chaired by Prof. AVM (Rtd.) Paul Jemitola, who is also the Vice Chancellor, we congratulate you, sir.”

    In his acceptance speech, Eze expressed appreciation to the university’s founder and management for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to support the institution’s growth and success.

    He noted that the vision of the university aligns with that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in promoting innovation, education, and human capacity development.

    Eze, a renowned figure from the South East, is widely celebrated for his philanthropy and unwavering commitment to national growth and leadership development across Africa. Described by many as one of the cleanest businessmen on the continent, Eze has made significant investments in both the public and private sectors.

    The Isaac Balami University of Aeronautic and Management, which recently received its operational licence, aims to provide world-class education in aviation, engineering, technology, and management.

    Reflecting its national outlook, the university’s appointments cut across all regions of Nigeria. While the founder hails from the North East, the governing council chairman is from the South East. The institution is located in the South West, with its registrar from the North West and pro-chancellor from the South West.

    Experts say this diversity has given IBUAM a national character despite being a private university. 

    The institution has also included notable personalities from Morocco, Ethiopia, Egypt, the United States, and Europe on its board, underscoring its international orientation and commitment to global standards.

  • TETFund allocates N8.18bn to RUGIPO for infrastructural development

    TETFund allocates N8.18bn to RUGIPO for infrastructural development

    The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has allocated N8.18 billion to the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO) in Ondo State for infrastructural development since 2011.

    The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr. Sonny Echono, made this known during the inauguration of five landmark projects at the state-owned polytechnic as part of activities marking its combined 12th to 23rd Convocation Ceremonies.

    Echono, represented by the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation of TETFund, Arch. Babatunde Olajide, said that the institution had so far accessed N5.57 billion from the fund, leaving a balance of N2.61 billion committed to other ongoing projects on the campus.

    He explained the newly commissioned TETFund-sponsored projects, which include the Faculty of Applied Sciences building, Faculty of Engineering Technology building, 250-seater twin lecture theatre and construction and furnishing of academic staff offices, are collectively worth over N1.7 billion.

    According to him, the projects with many others currently ongoing on the campus-reflect the President Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure and academic standards across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

    Echono commended RUGIPO for the judicious utilization of intervention funds, noting that all sponsored projects were completed to specification despite economic challenges. 

    He urged the institution to ensure proper maintenance of all facilities.

    Acting Rector of RUGIPO, Olorunwa Adegun said the polytechnic had sustained a tradition of excellence and accountability by ensuring effective use of all infrastructural facilities.

    Adegun lauded TETFund for its transformative contributions to the growth of the institution since it became a beneficiary of the government’s intervention scheme.

    He appealed to the TETFund to consider the polytechnic for inclusion in the 2026 Special Intervention and Special High Impact Intervention, noting that the gesture would enable the polytechnic to establish a modern health centre and construct additional hostels for students.

  • ABU denies running secret nuclear project

    ABU denies running secret nuclear project

    The Management of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has dismissed as false and malicious a viral AI-generated video alleging that the institution is developing nuclear weapons for Nigeria.

    In a statement by the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Auwalu Umar, the management described the video, which has been circulating on social media, as the handiwork of “unscrupulous persons” bent on misleading the public and tarnishing the image of the university.

    The video had claimed that Nigerian scientists at ABU secretly enriched weapons-grade uranium in the 1980s using sophisticated centrifuges obtained from Pakistan’s AQ Khan network, and that they were close to producing a nuclear device by 1987.

    But the university said the claims were “baseless fabrications,” pointing out that most of the scientists at the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), ABU, were still undergoing training abroad in the 1980s and only returned to the country in the early 1990s. “How could it have been possible for trainee scientists to enrich uranium?” the statement queried.

    It clarified that ABU and Nigeria have never had any connection with the AQ Khan network or any foreign source of nuclear weapons technology, adding that the only operational nuclear facility at the time was a 14 MeV Neutron Generator commissioned in 1988.

    According to the university, the country’s first major nuclear project, the Nigeria Research Reactor 1 (NIRR-1), was only initiated in 1996 under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) technical cooperation programme and commissioned in 2004 under a tripartite partnership involving China, Nigeria, and the IAEA.

    ABU stressed all its nuclear activities have been transparent and conducted in line with international safety and non-proliferation standards. 

    It explained that the NIRR-1 reactor, initially powered by highly enriched uranium, was converted to low enriched uranium in 2018 as part of global efforts to reduce nuclear threats.

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    The university reaffirmed that Nigeria, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) since 1968 and the Pelindaba Treaty since 2009, is legally bound not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons or enrichment plants.

    “ABU and Nigeria have always pursued peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology for national development,” the statement noted, recalling that the university’s founder visited the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the United States in 1960, even before ABU was established, to promote peaceful use of atomic energy for humanity.

    The management urged the public to disregard the video and warned against the spread of false information capable of undermining national institutions and Nigeria’s reputation before international partners.