The Nation Newspaper

Category: Education

  • Students reject renaming of Ibadan Poly, appeal to Oyo Assembly

    Students reject renaming of Ibadan Poly, appeal to Oyo Assembly

    The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of The Polytechnic, Ibadan has formally appealed to the Oyo State House of Assembly to reconsider Governor Seyi Makinde’s recent pronouncement to rename the institution.

    The move, which has sparked concern among students, alumni, and stakeholders, is seen as a threat to the institution’s long-standing heritage and reputation.

    In a letter addressed to the House of Assembly and signed by the SUG President, Comrade Oladipupo Olamide D, the student body described the decision as potentially harmful to the identity and legacy of the school, which has stood as a beacon of academic excellence for over five decades.

    “The Polytechnic, Ibadan has a rich legacy spanning over 50 years, and its name is synonymous with excellence in education,” the letter reads. “Renaming it would erase its identity and legacy, affecting not only the current students and staff but also the alumni and the entire community.”

    The students listed several reasons for their resistance to the proposed change, including the preservation of history and legacy, protection of institutional identity, and the potential negative impact on alumni and stakeholders. They also expressed concern over the implications the renaming might have on the school’s academic reputation and public image.

    Read Also: Ibadan Poly students, alumni kick over renaming of school

    The letter noted the urgency of the situation in light of an upcoming sitting of the House of Assembly and urged lawmakers to act swiftly. “We have expedited this appeal to bring the matter to your attention promptly, seeking your prompt reconsideration and intervention,” the students wrote.

    The Polytechnic, Ibadan, established in 1970, is one of Nigeria’s foremost tertiary institutions and holds a special place in the educational landscape of the country.

    The student body concluded their appeal with a passionate plea: “We appeal that our institution’s name should be retained as The Polytechnic, Ibadan!”

  • Uniuyo Alumni elects new president as Luke ends tenure

    Uniuyo Alumni elects new president as Luke ends tenure

    The University of Uyo Alumni Association has elected a new executive with Comrade Ekerette Adiaiduo emerging as President.

    Adiaiduo polled 589 votes to defeat his closest rival, Prof Aniekan Brown, who garnered 481 votes in the keenly contested election over the weekend. 

    Presenting the result, Chairman, Election Committee, Dr Odumayak Okpo who also announced winners for 15 other offices contested for, expressed satisfaction that  the process was kept  free, fair and credible. 

    In his acceptance speech, President Adiaiduo thanked colleagues for the trust placed in him and promised to fulfill his campaign promise of taking the association to new heights. 

    “I appreciate the confidence reposed in me and assure you that I will work tirelessly to justify the trust you’ve placed in me,” he stated.

    Outgoing President Rt. Hon Onofiok Luke commended the association’s electoral umpire for conducting a credible election, one of his administration’s key targets. 

    Luke, a former House of Representatives member, highlighted notable achievements of his administration to  include influencing the Vice Chancellorship appointment, attracting projects from TETFUND, and providing scholarships to outstanding students.

    “When the Vice Chancellorship position of this University was in contention, it was the voice of this association heard at the NUC that restored the Vice Chancellorship of Prof. Nyaudo Ndaeyo.

    “Again, with my relationship with TETFUND, we have been able to attract some projects to this University. The Medical students who were rusticated, we were able to bring them back to the University.

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    “And, in this same University, there were whole lot of things that we did. For the very first time in our Alumni Association, for three consecutive sessions, the best graduating students totalling forty-one of them were given two hundred thousand Naira each as scholarship and that money was paid.

    “During COVID-19, three million Naira (N3,000,000.00) was given to the Faculty of Pharmacy by the alumni association for research”. He said 

    The former Akwa Ibom Speaker noted challenges faced by his administration, particularly the non-release of dues by the University’s consultant, which hindered project implementation. 

    He however expressed satisfaction that the University management had taken steps to address the issue, with the consultant being investigated by the EFCC and expected to remit approximately N40 million in owed dues.

    “We could not carry on most of the projects because the consultant that the University gave to collect our dues, up until today, is still owing us about forty million Naira (N40,000,000.00).

    “And today, I want to commend the management of the University led by Prof. Ndaeyo who had caused that man to be arrested and he’s been in the EFCC custody for the past three months. He will produce our dues totaling over N40m.”

    Luke congratulated his successor and wished him well, while also urging the new administration to prioritize resolving the outstanding dues issue. “I congratulate Comrade Adiaiduo on his election and wish him success in his tenure. I hope he will build on the foundation laid by my administration and take the association to greater heights,” Luke stated.

  • How Tayture is solving one of education’s hardest problems

    How Tayture is solving one of education’s hardest problems

    On a humid Monday morning in Lagos, a new term was supposed to begin with the usual buzz of anticipation. Instead, the head of a mid-sized private school found herself staring at an empty timetable with two teachers, one for Mathematics and another for Basic Science, had resigned at the end of term, parents were calling, class lists had been printed, and there were no replacements. “We were looking at merging classes and asking teachers to take subjects they were not trained for,” the administrator recalled. “That’s how learning quality starts to slip, even when everyone has good intentions.”

    That scramble is everyday reality across Nigeria, where chronic teacher shortages meet the constant pressure of sudden vacancies and enrollment spikes. Official ratios for primary-school pupils to teachers are frequently cited well above UNESCO’s recommended 1:25, but schools say the more urgent problem is how quickly qualified educators can be found when classrooms are suddenly left without them. When vacancies stretch into weeks, lessons are merged, timetables fracture and teachers covering extra loads burn out, and the lost instructional time for pupils, particularly in early grades, is rarely recovered.

    Into this pressure point stepped Tayture, a Lagos-based social enterprise edtech launched in June 2023 with a promise to help schools hire qualified teachers in roughly two weeks, without cutting corners on standards. Less than two years on, the company has quietly established itself as one of Nigeria’s most consequential education technology stories precisely because it fixes the people who deliver learning.

    Generally, Nigeria’s edtech boom has largely focused on students, with platforms offering lessons, practice tools and tutoring that aim to widen access and improve outcomes. Tayture operates on a different layer of the system as it focuses on the workforce that makes any curriculum or digital tool effective for teachers. “When classrooms fail, we often blame content or infrastructure,” said John Awodeyi, Tayture’s co-founder and chief executive. “But the real bottleneck we kept seeing was people. Schools needed good teachers, and they needed them fast. The system was not designed for that.”

    Historically, teacher recruitment in Nigeria has run on personal networks, WhatsApp groups and word of mouth. Verification is inconsistent, interviews are rushed and, in moments of urgency, compromise becomes routine. Tayture’s core bet was that if the invisible layer of sourcing, screening and matching teachers could be repaired, the downstream impact on learning would be disproportionate. Rather than acting as a bulletin board for job adverts, Tayture curates and pre-selects candidates, assessing qualifications, subject fit and classroom readiness so schools receive a ranked shortlist that explains why each candidate is suitable for the school’s curriculum, class size and culture.

    When the Lagos school turned to Tayture after hearing about the platform from another administrator, the results were immediate. The school submitted its role requirements online and, within two weeks, both vacancies were filled. “The difference was that we were not just given a pile of CVs,” the administrator said. “We got a shortlist with explanations showing why this teacher fits our class size, our curriculum, even our school culture. That saved us time and mistakes.”

    Tayture reports onboarding more than 1,000 teachers and partnering with 42 schools across Nigeria, claiming to have shrunk the average recruitment cycle from six to twelve weeks down to roughly fourteen days. The company says it has reduced emergency hires and cut early-stage attrition, a critical metric in a sector marked by turnover. For teachers, the experience can be transformative. “I used to apply everywhere and never hear back,” said Funke Adebola, a primary school teacher placed through Tayture. “With them, I felt seen. They asked about how I teach and when I got placed, the school already understood my strengths.”

    Education researchers have long shown that teacher quality is among the strongest in-school predictors of student learning. In Nigeria’s crowded classrooms, timing is just as important as talent. A vacancy that persists becomes an instructional hole; improvisation by schools compounds the problem and turns what appears to be an HR issue into a learning crisis. Tayture’s value proposition is therefore by compressing hiring timelines without stripping away rigorous screening, it preserves learning continuity. The practical outcomes are fewer empty classrooms, steadier timetables and teachers working within their areas of competence.

    That philosophy is bound up with Awodeyi’s insistence that recruitment is a matter of professional respect. “For too long, teachers have been treated as interchangeable,” he said. “But if we want better outcomes, we have to treat teaching like the profession it is.” That belief has pushed Tayture beyond placement into community-building, professional storytelling and wellbeing initiatives aimed at keeping teachers engaged. The company is planning educator-focused events and a podcast that spotlights the people shaping K–12 education, an effort some observers might dismiss as peripheral but that others view as essential to retention and morale. “When teachers feel valued, they stay longer and perform better,” said a school owner in Abuja who has hired through the platform. “That stability shows up in the classroom.”

    What distinguishes Tayture in Nigeria’s crowded edtech landscape is the strategic positioning. While many startups chase student attention, Tayture is quietly building the staffing infrastructure schools depend on every term. Its platform converts teacher responses and behaviors into vetting cues that speed recruitment and inform personalized growth plans, complementing rather than competing with learning platforms. Digital content can enhance lessons, but without qualified educators to guide, contextualise and manage classrooms, technology alone cannot close learning gaps.

    The model’s implications stretch beyond Nigeria. Across West and Sub-Saharan Africa, uneven teacher distribution, subject-specific shortages and informal hiring processes are common. Tayture’s pre-selection and matching approach is inherently portable; if expanded, it could support cross-border placements, standardised verification and workforce data insights that inform school networks and policy. “Nigeria is our learning ground,” Awodeyi said. “If we can make teacher hiring work here, at scale, under pressure, it can work anywhere on the continent.”

    Tayture was built with no billion-naira funding round, no flashy classroom of the future. Its impact appears in schools opening on time, teachers stepping into roles that fit, children learning under educators who are prepared rather than overstretched. Back in Lagos, the administrator who faced an empty timetable watched the term unfold without further crisis. “The classes ran smoothly,” she said. “Parents stopped calling. The teachers settled in. That’s when you realise how much damage uncertainty was causing before.”

  • 71,000 pupils sit for common entrance exam in Ondo

    71,000 pupils sit for common entrance exam in Ondo

    No fewer than 71,110 pupils from public and private primary schools sat for the Common Entrance Examination in Ondo State on Saturday.

    The examination known as Placement Examination was held simultaneously in the 280 designated centres across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

    The Common Entrance Examination, being conducted annually by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, would lead to the award of Primary School Leaving Certificate for the candidates.

    Monitoring the exercise, the Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Akindele Ige, said that the exercise held across designated centres in the state was conducted under a peaceful atmosphere.

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    Ige revealed that the exercise would also enable candidates who score the required marks to secure admission into their secondary schools of choice across the three senatorial districts of the state.

    “The conduct was peaceful, and there are no reports of late arrival of examination materials or shortages of examination officials at all designated centres,” he said.

    Ige also applauded the turnout of the candidates for the examination and their orderly conduct, describing the exercise as impressive.

    While commending the examination management department of the ministry for putting in place a superb arrangement for the examination, the administrative secretary lauded the parents and guardians of candidates for their patience and peaceful disposition to the exercise.

    Some students, who spoke shortly after the examination, expressed great optimism for success in the concluded exercise.

  • Seven profitable side hustles Nigerian graduates can start with little or no capital

    Seven profitable side hustles Nigerian graduates can start with little or no capital

    With rising living costs and a highly competitive job market, many Nigerian graduates are exploring self-driven hustles to earn income and gain practical experience. From digital gigs to street-smart ventures, these opportunities—both online and offline—demand little or no startup capital and can be launched quickly with basic skills, a mobile device, and strong determination.

    Here are seven profitable side hustles that offer growth potential and long-term value:

    1. Freelance Writing and Content Creation

    With strong writing skills, graduates can craft articles, blog posts, and newsletters for digital publications and small businesses. Platforms like Upwork and LinkedIn allow users to pitch services and attract global clients.

    Beginners can gain visibility by guest posting on free blogs to build a portfolio. With time, higher rates and repeat clients follow.

    2. Virtual Assistance

    Entrepreneurs frequently outsource email management, appointment scheduling, data entry, and customer support. Remote tools like Google Workspace and Trello make task management simple.

    Reliable virtual assistants can charge hourly or weekly rates, with consistency often leading to long-term contracts.

    3. Social media management

    Graduates who understand cultural and market trends can manage social media accounts for SMEs. Tasks include content planning, graphic design with Canva, and engagement tracking.

    Managing one brand can lead to referrals, enabling you to build a client base without selling physical products.

    4. Online tutoring and coaching

    Teaching secondary school subjects, exam prep, or digital skills over Zoom or Google Meet is in high demand. Tutors can advertise on WhatsApp or student forums and charge ₦2,000–₦5,000 per hour.

    Offering group sessions and tracking student progress increases your reputation and income.

    5. Affiliate marketing and referrals

    By promoting products like mobile airtime, digital courses, or fashion items through affiliate links, users earn commissions on every sale. This model requires no inventory or logistics management.

    Read Also: 10 essential skills Nigerian graduates must possess to get hired in 2025

    Authentic and consistent promotion across social platforms can generate steady passive income.

    6. Micro-service gigs on platforms like Fiverr

    From logo tweaks to voiceovers and video editing, micro-tasks on Fiverr or similar sites offer quick, pay-per-task income. Choose services you can deliver in a day.

    Positive reviews raise your profile and allow you to charge higher rates over time.

    7. Community event coordination

    Graduates with strong organisational skills can help plan events for NGOs, religious groups, and local businesses. Tasks include venue booking, vendor coordination, and attendee registration.

    A coordination fee brings earnings while expanding your professional network and local reputation.

  • FG launches ‘grow what you eat’ initiative to revitalise farming in schools

    FG launches ‘grow what you eat’ initiative to revitalise farming in schools

    The federal government has launched the ‘Grow What You Eat’ initiative to revitalise farming in senior secondary schools across the country.

    The programme, which was flagged off by Minister of State for Education Prof. Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad on Thursday in Abuja, was organised by the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC).

    Ahmed, who was represented by Deputy Director, Science and Technology Department of the ministry, Kehinde Osinaike, said that the programme is designed to promote practical agricultural education through school farming.

    She said, “Let me begin by commending the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) for taking this bold step to align education with national priorities in food security, practical skills development and youth empowerment. I also commend the management and staff of Government Girls Secondary School, Abuja, for hosting this important event.

    “The ‘grow what you eat’ initiative is not just about farming. It is about cultivating a mindset of self-reliance, innovation, and responsibility among our young people. It is about reconnecting our students to the land and showing them that agriculture is not a punishment but a pathway to prosperity.

    “Today’s event marks the beginning of a new era, where school farming is repositioned as a tool for experimental learning, economic empowerment and sustainable development. By integrating classroom knowledge with hands-on practice, we are not only preparing our students for examination but also for life.

    Executive Director of NSSEC, Dr Iyela Ajayi said the pilot phase of the programme targets 20 senior secondary schools across the six geopolitical zones.

    He added that participating schools would be nominated by Commissioners of Education from the select state.

    Read Also: NADF, others launch N1.5b pilot scheme to boost smallholder farming

    Dr Ajayi said: “‘Grow what you eat’ is not just a school project; it is a national intervention. It is a vision of transforming school farms into hubs of agricultural learning, enterprise development and community service. By engaging our students in structured agricultural activities, we aim to cultivate not just crops but also discipline, entrepreneurship, responsibility and resilience.

    “Our pilot phase targets 20 senior secondary schools across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. These schools, nominated by the Commissioners for Education from their respective states, will serve as a proof of concept for a national scale-up that we envision shortly.”

    To support the initiative, Ajayi said that the commission has trained desk officers; developed detailed implementation guidelines; provided modest seed grants for start-up support; designed a monitoring framework to track and evaluate progress and initiate dialogues with relevant ministries, departments and agencies and technical partners.

    “This is not just about growing food, it is about growing futures. It is about raising a generation that will not only be literate but also productive, self-reliant and solution-oriented,” the executive secretary added.

    The Head, Teacher Development and International Partnership, NSSEC, Mohammed Salihu, said that while the commission has provided a little seed money to the select schools to kickstart the initiative, it has plans to scale up the programme to all senior secondary schools in the country through collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

  • UK-based group to induct Itsekiri language teachers in 74 Delta schools

    UK-based group to induct Itsekiri language teachers in 74 Delta schools

    In a major push to preserve the Itsekiri language from extinction, Ugbajo Itsekiri, United Kingdom, will on Friday, June 27, induct language teachers into 74 public primary and secondary schools across Delta State.

    The group’s President, Mr. Mejebi Eyewuoma, revealed this during a virtual media briefing in Warri, noting that the teachers will be engaged under the initiative’s employment scheme, aimed at reviving interest in the Itsekiri language among young learners.

    He credited the success of the programme to the strong support from the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Atuwatse III, and his wife, Olori Atuwatse III, and cautioned against sidelining traditional institutions in the promotion of indigenous languages.

    Eyewuoma lamented the growing trend of prioritising English over native languages in many homes. “This issue is not peculiar to the Itsekiri people; it affects the Yoruba and Igbo as well. Everyone wants their child to speak fluent English, often at the expense of their mother tongue,” he said.

    He pointed to the undervaluing of indigenous language education and the lack of viable career prospects as key reasons for the decline.

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    “Many people don’t see language teaching as a sustainable profession. That perception must change,” he said.

    Eyewuoma expressed hope that the presence of Itsekiri language teachers in schools will inspire a new generation of scholars.

    “We believe this initiative will spark interest. In five to 10 years, we hope to build an army of Itsekiri language scholars,” he added.

    To broaden access, the group is also exploring the use of information technology to make language learning more appealing and accessible.

    Eyewuoma noted that the initiative has received the approval of relevant government authorities, with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori expressing support for the programme.

    He urged communities to welcome and assist the teachers when they begin work.

    While the project is starting in public schools, he disclosed that some private schools have also shown interest.

    He assured that teaching materials, including textbooks and curriculum guides, are ready for immediate deployment.

  • Relief for 96,838 candidates as mop-up UTME holds Saturday

    Relief for 96,838 candidates as mop-up UTME holds Saturday

    For 96,838 candidates involved in the ripple effects of this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), a second chance to redeem themselves holds on Saturday. JAMB is organising a mop-up UTME for the affected candidates. Assistant Editor Bola Olajuwon reports on what necessitates the fresh examination and how it will be conducted.

    ON Saturday, no fewer than 96,838 candidates will have a chance to sit for mop-up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to be organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The mop-up examination will accommodate 5,096 spill-over candidates, those who failed biometric verification during the main exercise for this year’s UTME. It will also include absentee candidates of the main and resit examinations as well as 91,742 candidates, who were absent in both or either of the main and resit examinations.

    Reasons behind the mop-up exam

    It will be recalled that the JAMB UTME results were initially affected by a technical glitch, which was identified as a human error. This error led to a mass resit for over 379,000 candidates, primarily in Lagos and the Southeast.

    The board acknowledged the error and apologised for the disruption after a public uproar. The affected candidates were contacted and were given new dates for their resit examination.

    According to JAMB, the issue stemmed from a failure to properly apply a patch update on some of the service providers’ servers, specifically in Lagos and the Southeast during the initial release of the results.

    Approximately 206,610 candidates in Lagos and 173,387 candidates in the Owerri zone, comprising the Southeast states, were affected.

    Surprisingly, JAMB’s registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, at a media briefing, took responsibility for the error and apologised to the affected candidates and the public. A mass resit was ordered for the candidates, with JAMB working with West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to minimise timetable clashes.

    The board also engaged top IT experts and educational assessment professionals to investigate the technical glitches that marred the examination.

    Despite the registrar’s public apology and steps taken by the board, some stakeholders and the Southeast National Assembly Caucus, led by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, called on the management to urgently carry out an independent system audit and review all reports concerning the glitch that characterised the conduct of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

    Addressing journalists in Abuja, Kalu asserted that the events surrounding the 2025 UTME shook public confidence in one of the nation’s most critical gateways to opportunity.

    According to him, the mass outcry that followed the release of the results, and the subsequent technical review, demands not only transparency, but decisive action to restore faith in the country’s educational system.

    The Deputy Speaker commended the JAMB boss for accepting responsibility for the outcome of the exercise, saying: “The swift apology and the decision to offer retake opportunities for all affected candidates reflect a commitment to fairness and justice.”

    He noted that though the apology was in order, it did not erase the trauma, disruption, and uncertainty experienced by the candidates and their families. He lamented the case of a candidate who committed suicide owing to the outcome of the UTME exercise.

    The House of Representatives also launched an investigation into the technical malfunction that marred the UTME. In addition, the lawmakers urged the Federal Government to mandate JAMB to release the results of all candidates below the age of 16 who participated in the examination.

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    They also called for the establishment of Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in all 774 local government areas of the country to ease the difficulties faced by candidates during examinations.

    JAMB to candidates: get ready for the mop-up exam

    During the week, the board, in a statement by its Public Communications Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said the affected candidates for the mop-up examination can begin printing their examination notification slips from June 23.

    The statement said: “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has approved Saturday, June 28, for the conduct of the 2025 UTME mop-up examination. This examination will accommodate the 5,096 spill-over candidates and those who failed biometric verification during the main exercise.

    “Also, due to the special dispensation granted to absentee candidates of the main and resit examinations, 91,742 candidates who were absent in both or either of the main and resit examinations would also be given this opportunity which is only for 2025 UTME. Thus 96,838 candidates are being rescheduled for the 2025 mop up exercise in 183 centres across the nation while others are kept on standby.”

    No mop-up exam in 113 CBT centres

    JAMB, however, said that 113 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country have been suspended or delisted due to various infractions uncovered during the conduct of the UTME.

    According to the board, some of the affected centres were found to have committed technical infractions during the mock and main examinations, while others were implicated in ongoing security investigations into examination malpractice.

    “Consequently, 113 CBT centres have been delisted or suspended from across the country. Some other implicated in multiple infractions in the main or resit examinations exercise,” it said.

    JAMB hails security agencies

    The board expressed appreciation to security agencies for their role in a nationwide investigation into identity theft and other forms of examination fraud, which has led to several arrests and prosecutions.

    As part of the investigation, the board said some examination towns have been disqualified from hosting the mop-up exam, adding that affected candidates will be reassigned to nearby centres.

    The statement said: “The board also appreciated the security agencies, particularly the State Security Service (SSS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for their extra-ordinary devotion, passion and tenacity in the on-going nationwide special investigation of identity theft and examination malpractices syndicates which led to the arrest and prosecution of tens of culprits, including few JAMB officials, professional examination takers and syndicates of some school proprietors and tutorial centres.

    “As a result of the investigation, a number of examination towns are no longer eligible to be used for the mop-up examinations. Few candidates who fall into the deactivated examination towns would be assigned to examination towns closest to the delisted towns. We seek the understanding of such candidates.”

    JAMB stated that the mop-up exam offers an opportunity to identify and prosecute more impersonators, including undergraduates who sit for UTME on behalf of others.

    “The scheduled mop up examination provides the opportunity to further apprehend more impersonators particularly current undergraduate students, who impersonate UTME candidates. Institutions of apprehended undergraduates are already being notified of the gross misconduct of their students in order to invoke the violation of the matriculation oath already taken by the students to flush them out of the various tertiary institutions, in addition to their prosecution under the Examination Malpractice Act, 1999, which makes provisions for imprisonment even of the under-aged and their indulgent parents,” it said.

    Special invigilators, security personnel for exam

    JAMB also added that it is deploying special squads of invigilators and security personnel as part of the renewed crackdown on malpractice.

    “Special squads of invigilators/security personnel are being deployed in the continuation of the current war already declared by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on examination malpractices and their perpetrators both high and low,” it said.

    How the exam will be conducted

    Candidates sitting for the 8:00 a.m. session are advised to arrive early.

    “The first session for the examination day starts, as usual, at 8:00am. Candidates for the 8:00am session are therefore advised in their own interest to arrive one or one and half hour before the actual commencement of the examination at 8:00am,” the board said.

    “Eligible and genuine candidates are advised to print their examination notification slips from Monday, 23rd June, 2025 in preparation for the mop-up examination scheduled for Saturday, 28th June, 2025,” it added.

    Candidates react

    Some of the affected candidates have hailed the fresh move by JAMB.

    A candidate, Mathew James, in an interview with The Nation yesterday, said he saw the mop-up examination as a second chance.

    “It is a second chance because it’s another opportunity to succeed after failing at something previously. It implies a chance to redeem oneself or try again, often after making a mistake or experiencing a setback. I am preparing adequately for it,” he said.

    Another candidate, Funmi Adeola, said she is also preparing for the examination, adding that she had printed her slip and visited her centre.

  • Fed Govt to ensure inclusive education in secondary schools nationwide

    Fed Govt to ensure inclusive education in secondary schools nationwide

    The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to building a school system, where every learner regardless of gender, disability, socio-economic status or background, is welcomed, protected and empowered to thrive.

    Speaking in Abuja at a two-day workshop for special education officers from the 36 states and the FCT, organised by the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), Minister of State for Education Prof. Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad said Nigeria’s National Policy on Inclusive Education was developed to remove barriers to learning, ensure equity and improve access to quality education for all, especially learners with disabilities and those facing systemic disadvantages.

    The event was organised to boost the capacity of Special Education Desk Officers from the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory with the theme: “Promoting Inclusive, Safe and Gender-Sensitive Learning Environments for All.”

    Prof. Ahmad called for collaboration from school owners, development partners and state governments to promote inclusive and gender learning schools to promote national growth.

    Ahmed, who was represented by Deputy Director, Science and Technology Department of the ministry, Kehinde Osinaike, urged participants to make use of the opportunity provided to carry everyone along.

    She explained that the workshop was a critical step in translating gender and inclusive education policies into tangible and everyday practices.

    The minister said: “The National Policy on Inclusive Education was developed to remove barriers to learning, ensure equity, and improve access to quality education for all, especially learners with disabilities and those facing systemic disadvantages.

    “Alongside this, the National Policy on Gender Education provides a framework for eliminating gender disparities and ensuring that both girls and boys have equal opportunities to access, participate in and benefit from education.

    “But as we all know, policies are only as effective as their implementation and we must go beyond rhetoric.”

    The minister pledged President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to advancing inclusive and equitable education in the country.

    Executive Secretary NSSEC, Dr. Iyela Ajayi said the essence of the capacity workshop was to equip the desk officers with modern trends in implementing inclusive practices that would address Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

    Ajayi said that for there to be meaningful change, there was the need to empower the frontline officers, who are the direct link to our schools and communities.

    The NSSEC chief said: “Our goal is to transform our senior secondary schools into true sanctuaries of learning, where every child, irrespective of their abilities, gender, or background, feels valued and safe.”

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    “As Special Education Officers, you are the architects of inclusion in our educational system. You are the advocates, the monitors, and the support systems that ensure our policies translate into meaningful action.

    “Your role is central to dismantling barriers, fostering a culture of acceptance, and ensuring that no learner is left behind.”

    Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Ayuba Gufwan, said that statistics showed that 35.5 million persons are living with disabilities, hence the need to address critical issues affecting them.

    He said that in reality, everyone created is living with one form of disability or the other and as such must not ignore their challenges.

    Gufwan expressed worry over the challenges faced by persons with disabilities, noting that most schools do not have ramps for easy access of PWDs.

  • Lagos clinches first position at Southwest Basic School Sports finals

    Lagos clinches first position at Southwest Basic School Sports finals

    • Commissioner, SUBEB boss canvass merging education with athletic
    • By Abraham Giwa

    Lagos State has clinched the first position by winning nine gold medals of the second edition of the Basic Education School Sports (BESS), South-West Geo-Political Zonal Finals, with seven gold medals.

    The Centre of Excellence and Ondo States tied with 19 medals each, while Ekiti came third with a total of 16 medals, including five gold medals.

    Osun, Oyo, and Ogun states followed in fourth, fifth, and sixth positions respectively. The medal scores not only reflected athletic achievements, but also the collaborative preparation that had taken place across the region’s basic education sector.

    The finals of the event, which was aimed at promoting all-round education and unearth hidden talents among Nigerian schoolchildren, was held at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex last Thursday.

    The event, organised in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) across the region, brought together 370 pupils from six states Lagos, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo to compete across various sporting categories.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), Dr. Hakeem Babatunde Shittu, emphasised the importance of merging academic education with physical development. “This initiative helps us discover talents at the grassroots level while also teaching children teamwork, interpersonal skills, and discipline. These are core components of education that go beyond the classroom,” he said.

    Shittu noted that the initiative aligns with the three domains of education – cognitive, affective, and psychomotor – with the sporting activities serving as a tool to nurture the psychomotor domain.

    “This event isn’t just about medals; it’s about developing well-rounded pupils who are intellectually, emotionally, and physically capable,” the SUBEB boss said.

    The event, which marked the second edition of the zonal finals after its maiden edition in Ekiti State, showcased the growing commitment to holistic education across the region. “Through activities like this, we raise a generation that values not just academics, but character, fitness, and social responsibility,” he added.

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    Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, also hailed the initiative, saying: “Sports is no longer a pastime; it is a career pathway. Events like this provide a platform for children to be discovered, nurtured, and guided towards successful futures both academically and athletically.”

    He further highlighted Lagos State’s infrastructural investment in both education and sports, noting that several public schools now boast dedicated sporting facilities, from volleyball courts to football pitches. “This dual approach ensures no aspect of learning is left behind,” the commissioner said.

    He also stated that Lagos had recently returned from a national competition in Abuja, where the state’s pupils won multiple gold medals, reaffirming the effectiveness of integrating sports into education. “We are not just preparing learners for exams; we are equipping them for life,” the commissioner said.

    Shittu urged all participating states to continue supporting their pupils beyond the competition. “We must ensure we monitor these young talents, nurture them properly, and give them the academic support needed to balance both education and career potential in sports.”

    The event wasn’t all about officials. Young athletes also had their say. Kolade Eniola, a table tennis player from Ekiti State, expressed gratitude for the fair competition and good organisation. “I’m happy I won my match. Everything went smoothly. No accidents, no cheating we thank God for that,” he said.

    Another pupil, Mubarak Sulaimon, described the competition as fun and exciting, echoing the spirit of unity and friendly rivalry that defined the day’s contests.

    More than a competition, the event symbolised the power of education to unify and inspire. Children from diverse backgrounds shared accommodations, meals, and games—learning as much from each other as from the coaches and teachers who guided them.

    At its core, the South-West BESS Zonal Finals exemplify the Lagos State Government’s vision of inclusive, well-rounded, and forward-thinking basic education—a vision propelled by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to raising future-ready leaders.