Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantanmi, has settled all outstanding registration fees for Gombe State students at Bayero University Kano (BUK) through the Professor Isa Pantami Foundation (PIP Foundation).
The intervention came after the President of the Gombe State Students Association (GOSSA) at BUK, Muhammad Alamin Abdulkadir, reached out to Pantami on social media about the financial constraints many students were facing.
The scholar immediately directed a swift payment to ensure the affected students were not held back from their studies due to monetary difficulties. The foundation’s action has provided significant relief to learners and families.
This is not the first time Pantami lended prompt assistance to undergraduates in need. He previously sponsored the registration fees for numerous students at Gombe State University (GSU).
In a statement at the weekend, Abdulkadir expressed profound gratitude, highlighting Pantami’s consistent support for education, youth empowerment, and entrepreneurship.
“The students of BUK will also never forget your intervention in 2022 when you provided free buses for our return to campus after the prolonged Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike,” he said. “That singular act restored hope and eased the challenges of many families.”
“From the depth of our hearts, we say: ‘Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and for always standing with the youth. Thank you for relieving the burdens of our parents and for everything you continue to do for society.’”
Abdulkadir described Professor Pantami as a “visionary mentor and a father to all,” whose continuous investment in human capital development makes the future of Nigerian youth “undoubtedly brighter.”
The GOSSA BUK President further extended appreciation to Dr. Salihu Ahmad Pantami, a patron of the association and a childhood friend of the former minister, for his mentorship and tireless efforts.
…dedicates award to maternal, child health research
Nigerian researcher, Tolulope Oladeji, has been awarded the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) doctoral scholarship, a recognition that places her among the brightest minds advancing geospatial science on the global stage.
Tolulope, whose work sits at the intersection of geospatial science and public health, described the honor as both humbling and motivating.
“Winning the USGIF Doctoral Scholarship is a huge honor and a great privilege for me. It’s like the universe saying, ‘keep going, you’re on the right track,’” she said.
Her research focuses on maternal and child health, particularly through the development of the Maternal and Child Vulnerability Index — a tool designed to inform policy and improve healthcare outcomes.
Beyond her academic work, she has been actively mentoring underrepresented girls in STEM, championing diversity, and encouraging innovation among young Africans.
Speaking on the challenges that shaped her journey, she reflected on the difficulties of access to funding and resources in Nigeria.
She also highlighted the balancing act of pursuing a PhD while mentoring others and laying the groundwork for a future NGO. Nonetheless, she credited her PhD supervisor, colleagues, family, and the women and children she encountered at the St. Andrews Clinic for Children for giving her research both purpose and heart.
According to her, the award is not only a personal achievement but also a validation of years of dedication.
“For me, it’s encouragement to dig deeper into my research, and for my organization and colleagues, it’s proof that the long nights, data cleaning headaches, and endless debugging of codes were worth it,” she added.
Looking ahead, she hopes to scale up the Maternal and Child Vulnerability Index into a practical tool that policymakers across Africa can rely on. She is equally eager to expand mentorship for young Africans in geospatial science, noting that the next generation of innovators must see that their contributions can shape global impact.
Her message to aspiring researchers was clear: “Your starting point doesn’t define your endpoint. Whether you’re in Nigeria, the U.S.A, or anywhere else, persistence pays off. You don’t need perfect conditions to do meaningful research, sometimes it’s the imperfections that push you to be creative.”
The recognition from USGIF is expected to open new doors of collaboration and visibility for her work, amplifying her mission of translating data into life-saving interventions for vulnerable populations.
The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State, Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing the student loan scheme and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
Speaking at the ninth Governing Council meeting of the institution, held at its permanent site in Ayede under the chairmanship of Hon. Yakubu Dati, Abdul-Hameed noted that more students of the polytechnic are already benefitting from the intervention.
“I would like to express gratitude to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for introducing NELFUND, which has enabled our students in Ayede to benefit from student loans.
This initiative will alleviate the financial burden on indigent students and their families,” he said.
The rector, also praised the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, TETFUND, and other intervention agencies for ensuring the completion of over 20 projects at the permanent site, alongside others at the temporary site, noting that student enrolment continues to grow.
He further lauded the Governing Council Chairman, Hon. Yakubu Dati, for resolving long-standing staff issues relating to transfer of service, promotions, and training, which he said has restored industrial harmony and peaceful coexistence within the institution.
Abdul-Hameed added that the polytechnic is an active partner in the upcoming Ogbomoso Education Summit, hosted by the Soun of Ogbomoso, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye (Orumogege III), as part of its corporate social responsibility.
Highlights of the Governing Council meeting included the inspection of ongoing projects and the consideration and approval of committee reports.
*College represents local content policy – PENGASSAN
The College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK) will commence postgraduate programmes next month.
Over 2000 applicants have applied and screened to run PhD programmes once it opens its doors to the public next month.
The college is a premier tertiary institution established by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to enhance indigenous human capacity for the oil and gas industry.
It is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to operate as a postgraduate degree (MSc and PhD) awarding institution having subsequently secured a license from the National Universities Commission (NUC) following Federal Executive Council approval.
The institution, which is under the purview of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, was established by Act No. 25 of 1973, amended in 1999, to build human and institutional capacity for Nigeria’s oil, gas, and energy sector players.
Executive Secretary of PTDF Ahmed Galadima Aminu, during a tour of the facilities with Executive members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Tuesday in Kaduna, said the dynamics of sponsoring oil workers abroad at huge cost to the country was responsible for setting up the college.
He revealed that to date over 15,000 Nigerians have been sponsored by the PTDF for training abroad.
According to Aminu, the college can pass for silicon valley abroad going by its course contents and international partnerships.
He revealed that the College is licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as a private postgraduate institution to offer 19 academic programmes across 6 departments and 3 faculties.
According to him, PTDF has signed strategic partnerships with three United Kingdom universities: University of Strathclyde, Robert Gordon University and University of Portsmouth for students of the college to complete their programmes in the UK.
He said: “I am pleased to inform you that the CPESK will admit its first cohort of PhD students in September 2025.
“We have just concluded screening of applications and successful candidates will soon be admitted into the following faculties: faculty of computing and telecommunication technology; faculty of earth and applied sciences; faculty of energy law and management sciences.
“These partnerships already secured will support the delivery of a split-site postgraduate model, where students will primarily study at CPESK in Kaduna, with short academic stays at the partner universities in the United Kingdom.”
President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Festus Osifo who led a delegation to inspect the facilities, described the institution as a practical example of advancing local content in Nigeria.
Osifo expressed optimism that with the establishment of the college, funding gaps in training oil and gas workers abroad will be bridged while significantly impacting all sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The PENGASSAN President stated, “Coming here this afternoon, as we were driving in, we thought that we were entering Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
“It’s really a kind of structure that you can find anywhere in the world. Yes, we are here to tour the facility, but we know that even from the short video that was shown to us, we have a glimpse into what is happening here.
“We know the standards that PTDF has set over the years. We know that the only thing you stand for is excellence. For us, this is one institution that has truly lived to its mandate.
“This is one institution in Nigeria that has been exemplary. It has demonstrated the fact that when we put our mind and heart to anything we want to do in this country, we can truly succeed. We can truly deliver service to the Nigerian people.
“This is one of such examples that we are witnessing here today. This building was started in 2013, and this is one of the things that for us at the Oil and Gas, it’s also the fact that we are demonstrating that we don’t abandon projects. When we put our heart into something, irrespective of challenges, we will deliver.
“I thank you, the Executive Secretary, for ensuring that this project is completed through your time and by September, we are admitting the first PhD set.
“It is also a practical demonstration of local content. Because when we preach local content, when we say local content, this is local content in action.
“Now let’s assume you have, let’s say, N20 million to send two people abroad. But with that same money, you could send maybe 10 people to this college, and they would have the same quality of education they could have gotten abroad here.
“What that means is that we are reaching out to more Nigerians. As you revealed you have trained 15,000 people over the last few years, we strongly believe that with this institution that is ready to kick into action, more Nigerians will be trained.
“We can’t equate anything to capacity building and human capital development because the development of any nation is as strong and as solid as the human capital such a country has. So for us, we are totally excited to be part of this.”
Anambra State Government has banned the practice of writing assignments inside textbooks, describing it as wasteful and unsustainable.
Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, announced the directive while addressing participants at the third day of a capacity building workshop organized by Ministry of Education for private school proprietors and teachers.
She explained that the decision was aimed at making textbooks reusable, especially for younger siblings of pupils who would need them when they advance to the next class.
She also stressed the need for textbooks to be inclusive, reflecting diversity, equality, and the needs of all learners.
She warned that the government would not tolerate non-compliance with the directive and urged parents, teachers, and school administrators to ensure strict adherence.
She also encouraged stakeholders to report cases of defaulters to the Ministry of Education.
“The initiative is part of the state government’s strategy to ease financial pressure on families while promoting quality and sustainable education,” she added.
The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Hajia Aisha Garba, has said the agency will explore new ways to improve efficiency, foster innovation, and deliver on its mandate.
Hajiya Garba spoke yesterday in Ikeja at the commission’s two-day retreat for Senior Staff-Phase 2.
The UBEC boss said the retreat was a critical step in advancing the commission’s goals of the 2025–2028 Strategic Blueprint.
She said the commission had taken important steps to enhance the quality of teaching and learning through the Teacher Professional Development (TPD) programme.
“We are equipping educators with the knowledge and tools they need to deliver better outcomes for children nationwide.
“Our mandate is ambitious because we are shaping the future of millions of Nigerian children. The way we plan, collaborate, and lead has a direct impact on what happens in classrooms across the country,” she said.
Hajia Garba said over the past few months, there has been meaningful progress together with SUBEBs for the construction of over 4,900 classrooms, the establishment of 34 Model and SMART Schools, the provision of more than 353,000 units of furniture, and the impact on over 2.3 million learners.
Deputy Executive Secretary Technical, Rasaq Olajuwon, said UBEC must routinely assess its progress, confront systemic bottlenecks, and realign its strategies to ensure improved learning outcomes for every child.
“Given the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to promote inclusive and qualitative development for all Nigerians, the Federal Ministry of Education introduced the National Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) to revitalise the education sector and ensure more coordinated, accountable, and results-driven delivery.
“The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) is fully aligned with this national agenda, particularly the commitment to achieving the 13 ministerial deliverables linked to the Basic Education Programme,” he added.
QHSES Leadership Academy has graduated 643 students.
This more than doubles last year’s number and cements its position as a growing tuition-free training institution.
Applications surged to 4,082 for 2024/2025 session, of which only 1,014 were raken, representing a one-in-four acceptance rate.
Graduates hailed from 17 nationalities in seven countries besides Nigeria, underscoring the institution’s global reach.
Founded by Jamiu Badmos, it provides free, training in safety, sustainability, and leadership, tackling Nigeria’s challenges—unemployment, workplace safety, and weak leadership culture.
Badmos said: “I grew up in Mushin. I know what it feels to lack fees. Instead condemning government, I chose to add value.”
The academy is ISO 9001:2015-certified, endorsed by 15 bodies, and accredited by American Council of Training and Development, making its graduates competitive here and abroad.
At the convocation, the academy unveiled Foundation for Excellence in Sustainability and Human Development, a non-profit body designed to coordinate and expand its growing initiatives.
The foundation oversees QHSES Leadership Academy, training, safety, and sustainability; SustainablePEOPLE, a peer-learning and coaching platform for changemakers; and Leadership Reboot, a summit to inspire resilient and responsible leaders.
It will also drive the Unmasking a Vision ZERO Leader project, which promotes empathy-driven occupational safety leadership, and Safetainability-4-Orphanage programme, which supports orphans with education, mentorship, and emotional care.
According to the academy, FESHD was established to guarantee continuity, ensure long-term impact, and create a leadership model that can outlive individuals.
Central to the academy’s model is the concept of “Safetainability”—a philosophy combining safe thinking with sustainable living. It is designed to produce leaders who prioritize both workplace safety and environmental sustainability.
This philosophy inspired the Safetainability-4-Orphanage initiative, launched in 2024, which provides orphans with feeding, training, and emotional support. “Orphans are not less human. We want them to smile like every other child,” Badmos said.
Of the latest graduating set, 54 students finished with distinction, split equally between men and women. The best graduating student, Jeremiah Mrakpor, recounted his journey:
“As of the first semester, I was ranked 12th. But I gave it my all. With determination, I scaled through,” he said, describing his success as proof that resilience, not privilege, defines leadership.
Guest speaker, CEO of TWPC Tech, Dr. Mojisola Olateru-Olagbegi urged the graduates to embrace lifelong learning.
“Technology is moving us forward at great speed. AI is pushing us fast. The only way to stay relevant is to keep learning,” she said, calling on them to create “cohort community collaborations” that spread knowledge beyond classrooms.
The academy announced plans to offer three months of free training to regulators, including the National Safety Commission and the Ministry of Labour, to help strengthen enforcement of workplace safety standards.
For graduates and observers, the institution’s impact extends far beyond certificates. By combining empathy, technical knowledge, and leadership training, the academy is offering Nigerian youth a rare chance to pursue education without debt and careers with purpose.
“Leadership must be built on empathy,” Badmos said. “If you live with empathy, you will lead better and make the world better.”
The Federal Government has given cash rewards to the students who participated in the 2025 TeenEagle Global English Championship in London, United Kingdom (UK), for their exceptional performance.
The students, 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu, 15-year-old Rukayya Muhammad Fema, and Hadiza Kashim Kalli, all from Yobe State, represented Nigeria at the international competition. They emerged among the best in various categories, beating over 20,000 participants from 69 countries.
At a ceremony yesterday in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced a cash reward of N200,000 for Nafisa, the overall best in English language skills.
Rukayya and Hadiza got N100,000 each for emerging best in debate and winning a bronze in productive communication skills.
Applauding Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni for his strides in education, Alausa said the Federal Government would continue to celebrate students from all the other 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Alausa said: “We will continue to celebrate students from all the other 35 states of the federation, including the FCT. These students have made us proud.
“I also want to acknowledge His Excellency, the Governor of Yobe State, Governor Mai Mala Buni, whose emphasis on education made this possible.
“Thank you, Your Excellency, for everything you continue to do to prioritise education in Yobe. This should be an example for all the other governors, as well as the Minister of the FCT.”
The Yobe State Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Abba Idris, hailed the three teenage girls from the state, describing their victory as “a triumph of resilience and commitment to education”.
The commissioner, who spoke on behalf of Governor Buni, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alausa for hosting the students and recognising Yobe State’s investment in education.
He said: “Your interest in the progress of education in Yobe State is quite encouraging.
“A few years back, our story was different and pathetic. Schools were destroyed, students and teachers killed, and education became unattractive. Today, we are celebrating victory.”
Idris outlined the measures taken by the Buni administration since declaring a state of emergency on education in 2019. These, he said, include rebuilding over 300 schools destroyed by insurgents, constructing 627 new classrooms and renovating 448 others, as well as employing and training thousands of teachers.
The federal government has rewarded three Nigerian students from Yobe State for their exceptional performance at the 2025 TeenEagle Global English Championship held in London, United Kingdom.
The students: 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu, 15-year-old Rukayya Muhammad Fema, and Hadiza Kashim Kalli, represented Nigeria at the competition and emerged among the best in various categories, beating over 20,000 participants from 69 countries.
At a ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced a cash prize of N200,000 for Nafisa, who emerged overall best in English language skills. Rukayya and Hadiza received N100,000 each for winning the debate category and a bronze medal in productive communication skills, respectively.
Commending Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, for his commitment to education, the minister assured that the federal government would continue to recognise and celebrate outstanding students from all 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Alausa said, “We will continue to celebrate students from all the other 35 states of the federation, including the FCT. These students have made us proud.
“I also want to acknowledge His Excellency, the Governor of Yobe State, Governor Mai Mala Buni, whose emphasis on education made this possible.
“Thank you, Your Excellency, for everything you continue to do to prioritise education in Yobe. This should be an example for all the other governors, as well as the Minister of the FCT.”
The Yobe State Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Abba Idris, commended the three teenage girls from the state, describing their victory as “a triumph of resilience and commitment to education.”
The commissioner, who spoke on behalf of Governor Buni, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Education for hosting the students and recognising Yobe’s investment in education.
He said, “Your interest in the progress of education in Yobe State is quite encouraging.
“A few years back, our story was different and pathetic. Schools were destroyed, students and teachers killed, and education became unattractive. Today, we are celebrating victory.”
Prof. Idris outlined measures taken by the Buni administration since declaring a state of emergency on education in 2019, including rebuilding over 300 schools destroyed by insurgents, constructing 627 new classrooms and renovating 448 others, as well as employing and training thousands of teachers.
The commissioner added, “The state government has paid over N4 billion on its school feeding programme, N3 billion on examination fees for WAEC, NECO, NABTEB and BECE, and N2.2 billion in scholarships for 890 students, including these champions we celebrate today.”
He said that Yobe state currently sponsors about 40,000 students in universities and colleges at home and abroad, while its tertiary institutions remain among the most affordable in the country, charging as low as N9,000 in tuition.
The commissioner also noted that 171 graduates of medical and allied courses recently returned from India under a state scholarship scheme and have been employed in the health sector.
Idris reaffirmed the state’s commitment to sustaining investment in education.
He added, “Although it is still a work in progress, the education sector in Yobe State under Governor Buni has no doubt progressed tremendously, especially looking at where we are coming from.
“This is a victory of the people’s resilience and of a governor who believes in the power of education as the key to a prosperous future.”
QHSES Leadership Academy, a free-tuition leadership and training institution, has graduated over 600 students from its 2025 occupational health and safety training programme at the Adeyemi Bero auditorium, Ikeja, Lagos.
The academy, which admitted over 1,000 students into its latest cohort, equips participants with internationally recognized certifications and connects them to job opportunities through its professional network.
Out of the graduating class, 47 earned distinctions, while the top 10 students received cash prizes, solar bags, safety boots, and awards.
Speaking at the convocation, Jamiu Badmos, Convener and CEO of the academy, described the ceremony as a milestone in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Founded as the world’s first teacher-free virtual academy, QHSES offers training in health and safety, project management, and enterprise development, delivered by over 35 industry practitioners.
Badmos, who grew up in Mushin, Lagos, said the academy was born out of his personal struggles with access to education.
“I know what it takes to come from a poor home and not be able to afford certifications. Instead of only condemning government, I asked myself: what value can I add? Our purpose is to put smiles on people’s faces by creating opportunities,” he said.
He announced the launch of the Foundation for Excellence in Sustainability and Human Development, which will house the academy and broaden its work to include sustainability training, community development projects, and orphanage support.
Charging the graduates, Badmos urged them to embrace lifelong learning:
“Knowledge without adding value is nothing. As Mrs. Ibukun Awosika once said, we must die empty — pouring out all our knowledge, resources, and skills to make the world a better place.”
Commending the initiative, Dr. Ehi Iden, President of Occupational Health and Safety Management (OHSM) Africa, described Badmos as a “pacesetter” shaping the future of workplace safety on the continent.
“What Jamiu is doing is what government should have done. He is preparing safer workplaces by training professionals who will safeguard lives. The multiplier effect is that parents can have peace of mind knowing their children will work in safer environments,” Iden said.
He added that OHSM Africa is in talks to partner with the academy and present its vision to the African Union.
“In the next year, we want to see students from across Africa graduating here, each proudly holding their national flags,” he noted.
The convocation also celebrated inspiring personal stories, including that of best graduating student, Jeremiah Mrakpor, who turned initial rejection into motivation.
“I wasn’t admitted in the first batch because I scored 80% instead of 90%. But when I got in with the second batch, I made up my mind to push harder. From then, I gave it my best, and God helped me,” he said.
For Mrakpor and his peers, perseverance was the unifying force.
“Every single one of us who graduated today pushed through challenges. We chose growth instead of limitations,” he added.
With its expanding vision and growing partnerships, QHSES Leadership Academy is positioning itself as a catalyst for safer workplaces and sustainable development across Africa.
