The Nation Newspaper

Category: Education

  • Provost urges Nigerian students to build skills for future careers

    Provost urges Nigerian students to build skills for future careers

    Nigerian students have been urged to acquire the knowledge and skills required to excel in their chosen careers, particularly in the healthcare sector.

    The Provost of Premier College of Health Technology, Adekanra, Ibadan, Dr Kayode Afolabi, gave the advice during the institution’s second matriculation ceremony held on Wednesday.

    The ceremony, themed “Knowledge as Power: Building Competence and Professional Excellence in Healthcare Practice,” took place at the college premises.

    The event was attended by the Chairman of the Oyo State Hospital Management Board, Dr Akin Fagbemi, who was represented by the Director of Nursing Services, Mrs Eyitayo Balaji-Ayoola; the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Health, represented by the Deputy Director of Medical Services, Oyo State Health Management Board, Dr Chisom Fajimi; a senior lecturer in the Department of Social Work, University of Ibadan, Dr Abimbola Afolabi; and the Provost of Diamond Prince College of Health Technology, Eruwa, Prince G.O. Ogunlade.

    Addressing the new students, Afolabi urged them to approach their studies with discipline and diligence, stressing the importance of continuous learning and competence.

    He also charged the students to uphold professional ethics, noting that integrity, honesty and respect should guide their interactions with lecturers, peers, patients and the wider community.

    According to him, the healthcare sector requires professionals who are not only knowledgeable but also compassionate, disciplined and proactive in responding to the needs of patients and society at large.

    He said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the 2nd Matriculation Ceremony of Premier College of Health Technology, Adekanra, Ibadan. Today is a defining moment in the academic journey of our newly admitted students, a moment that symbolizes both achievement and responsibility.

    “To our matriculating students, I extend a heartfelt congratulations. You have been admitted into a college dedicated to training competent, ethical, and innovative healthcare professionals. Your presence here signifies that you have chosen to commit yourself to the pursuit of knowledge, personal growth, and service to humanity.

    “The healthcare sector demands professionals who are not only knowledgeable but also compassionate, disciplined, and proactive in responding to patients and societal needs. Your attitude to care provision for your clients and patients will rely on the training you are currently receiving. At Premier College of Health Technology, you will be trained to meet these expectations and to lead in innovation, integrity, and service provision.

    “Dedicate yourselves to your studies with discipline and diligence. Strive to achieve knowledge and skills that will prepare you to excel in your chosen field. You are to uphold your professional ethics. Be it community health, Medical Laboratory, Environmental Health, or other professions, you are expected to always demonstrate integrity, honesty, and respect in your interactions with lecturers, peers, patients, and the wider community. Your full participation in the College Life will enhance your all-around development and holistic preparation for the roles ahead of you. 

    “Finally, you are being trained to serve humanity with compassion. Remember that healthcare is ultimately about serving people. Let empathy, care, and kindness guide your actions at all times.

    On behalf of the college, I formally charge you to honor your commitment, excel in your studies, and contribute positively to society.

    “In conclusion, let today serve as a reminder that you are now part of an esteemed tradition of excellence, and the choices you make will shape your future as healthcare professionals. May your matriculation mark the beginning of a fulfilling and impactful journey. 

    Congratulations, and welcome to Premier College of Health Technology. 

    Fagbemi, while speaking, enjoined the new students to remember the sons and daughters of whom they are.

  • Kwara closes Polytechnic over unrest

    Kwara closes Polytechnic over unrest

    The Kwara State Government has ordered the closure of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, following unrest that broke out on campus over the use of the institution as a temporary orientation camp for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    The directive was issued by Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq for protection of lives and property after tensions escalated and police intervened.

    In a statement by the Acting Registrar, AbdulHafis Aminl, the Polytechnic management said the State Government had earlier designated the institution as a temporary NYSC orientation camp due to prevailing security challenges in the State.

    It explained that during the first orientation exercise, students were on break, while during the second, academic activities had not fully resumed. 

    However, for the ongoing exercise, students were fully in session.

    To prevent a breakdown of law and order, the management said it granted students a three- week break from Monday, January 19, 2026 to allow for the smooth conduct of the NYSC camp.

    The decision, according to the statement, was met with resistance by some students who protested, citing their recent resumption from the Christmas and New Year break. 

    The protest led to tension at the institution’s main gate, prompting police intervention.

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    The management alleged that while police officers were initially deployed to disperse the crowd, some officers exceeded their brief by firing tear gas canisters into the Polytechnic premises, including student hostels.

    The action reportedly affected several students and staff, while the institution’s Chief Security Officer was injured during the incident.

    “In view of the development, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of the State, Mallam Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, has directed the closure of the Polytechnic to ensure the safety of lives and property of the entire Polytechnic community,” the statement said.

    The management appealed to students, staff and other stakeholders to remain calm as efforts continue to engage relevant authorities to resolve the situation.

  • Erudite scholar commends monarch for commitment to peace in Imo

    Erudite scholar commends monarch for commitment to peace in Imo

    A prominent political economy analyst and legislative expert, Dr. Uche Igwe, has praised the traditional ruler of Ihitteaforukwu kingdom in Ahiazu Mbaise, His Royal Majesty Dr. Okwudiri Divine Nwandu, Akaraka III for his efforts in ensuring that there is peace and security.  

    He made this comment on his arrival from his annual vacation.  

    According Dr. Igwe, there have been several developments in Ihitteaforukwu kingdom that have put the wisdom and sagacity of the king to test. However, it has been widely observed that the king has maintained a peaceful and public-spirited disposition.

    According to Dr. Igwe, “I have been following up on most of the issues going on in Ihitteaforukwu and I can affirm that HRM Nwandu is a man full of wisdom and a large heart.  I will like to call on everyone to shun divisive tendencies and avoidable politics of name calling and rally around the king.”

    Most especially Dr. Igwe called on Umuonyeka community to come together and resolve any issues bordering them amicably. 

    “Division breeds underdevelopment. Since HRM Nwandu assumed his throne as king, he has always brought our people together and spent his personal resources in the process. The only thing we can do as his subjects is to support him to take our community forward,” he cautioned. 

    Dr. Igwe later addressed the young people who came to welcome him home promising them quality representation in the parliament when the time comes, not just proxy politicking.

  • Ekpon Grammar School seeks support

    Ekpon Grammar School seeks support

    A clarion call has been made to old students of Ekpon Grammar School, Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State, to support the revitalisation of their alma mater.

    The call was made by the President of Ekpon Development Union (EDU), Mr. Celestine Edobor, during the 33-year reunion of the 1992 set of the school, held in Lagos.

    Edobor hailed the Class of ’92 for donating chairs and tables to the school last year, but noted that the institution still faces challenges requiring sustained and collective alumni intervention.

    Speaking on the theme, “Reunion to Enhance Unity, Growth and Development,” the keynote speaker, Prince Kayode Ebatamehi, said the school was established through the collective efforts of public-spirited Ekpon indigenes to bring secondary education closer to the communities.

    He described the founders of the school as torchbearers, who have passed the baton to the old students, urging them to give back to the school that shaped them.

    Festus Ighagbon, a lawyer, advised the old students to remain upright and sincere in their endeavours, noting that success achieved through integrity could be reinvested in the school for future generations.

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    Another discussant, Mr. Felix Okpeku, urged members to remain focused and expand their outreach to bring more classmates on board, thereby easing the burden of giving back.

    The President of Ekpon Grammar School Old Students Association, Class of ’92, Chief Jude Ehigiator, said the reunion was not merely social but a renewed commitment to reconnect, support one another and give back to the institution that gave them a strong foundation.

    The reunion ended with a renewed resolve by members of the Class of ’92 to strengthen their association, mobilise wider alumni participation, and partner with relevant stakeholders to restore Ekpon Grammar School to its former glory – ensuring that future generations of students benefit from a conducive learning environment.

  • Bayero University appoints WOFAN founder as chairperson CDA sectoral/industry advisory board

    Bayero University appoints WOFAN founder as chairperson CDA sectoral/industry advisory board

    The Centre for Drylands Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has appointed Hajia (Dr.) Salamatu Garba, Founder and Executive Board Chair of WOFAN Group, as the Chairperson of its Sectoral/Industry Advisory Board.

    The appointment, which is for an initial three-year term, recognises Dr. Garba’s outstanding leadership and extensive expertise in agricultural development, particularly her long-standing commitment to improving the livelihoods of women and youth. 

    She is widely known for her passion and persistence in promoting the transformation of subsistence farming into agripreneurship among young women and youths in Nigeria and beyond.

    Dr. Garba has devoted decades to empowering women and young people across dryland communities, contributing significantly to sustainable agricultural development at both national and international levels. 

    Her wealth of experience and visionary leadership are expected to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry, drive innovation, and advance sustainable agricultural practices within dryland ecosystems.

    The appointment is seen as a strategic move by the CDA to deepen industry engagement and enhance the practical impact of its research and capacity-building initiatives.

    WOFAN Group has congratulated Dr. Garba on the appointment, expressing confidence that her tenure will be impactful and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of dryland agriculture and inclusive agribusiness development.

  • Fed Govt opens bilingual school in Kano

    Fed Govt opens bilingual school in Kano

    The Federal Government, in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), has launched a new bilingual school in Kano State, a move the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described as a “practical investment in human capital development, social inclusion, and regional stability.”

    The initiative, part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to expand access to quality, inclusive, and future-oriented education, particularly for communities needing targeted interventions.

    Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Kiru local government area of Kano state, Professor Ahmad emphasised the importance of bilingual education in strengthening foundational learning, improving communication, preserving cultural identity, and enhancing global competitiveness.

    She noted that the school will allow students to gain both Islamic and conventional knowledge, empowering them to access wider resources and participate confidently in their communities.

    The project is a key component of the $98 million Bilingual Education Project (BEP) funded by the IsDB, which will see 30 new schools built across nine states, including Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Osun.

    Kano State has four of the model schools, located at Doguwa, Ganduje, Ungoggo and Kiru which was commissioned on Tuesday.

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    Each school has the capacity to accommodate over 1,000 students and is equipped with comprehensive facilities, including administrative and academic blocks, hostels, a multipurpose and dining hall, staff quarters, a vocational skills centre, a mosque, perimeter fencing, a water project, and other essential amenities.

    The Minister commended the IsDB for its commitment to education development in Nigeria and across the Islamic world, and praised the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for its coordination.

    Professor Ahmad urged the school management, education authorities, and the host community to take ownership of the new facility to ensure it is not a wasted investment.

    She also called for the provision of proper ventilation, in-person laboratories, and learner-centered teaching to ensure the school delivers a valuable impact for its students, whom she called “the true beneficiaries of this investment.”

    Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hajiya Aisha Garba, said the bilingual schools were conceived to integrate English and Arabic literacy with modern pedagogy, Technical and Vocational Education, ICT-driven learning, and safe boarding facilities.

    “These schools embody our shared commitment to expanding equitable access to quality basic education for all children, especially those who are out-of-school or vulnerable within our communities,” she said.

    Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Kano, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, who represented Governor Abba Yusuf at the ceremony, thanked the federal government, UBEC and IsDB, saying the investment will open doors of opportunities, knowledge and national goals.

  • Fed govt inaugurates committee to rank, select textbooks for schools

    Fed govt inaugurates committee to rank, select textbooks for schools

    ‎The federal government has inaugurated a book ranking and selection committee to introduce reforms to cap the number of approved textbooks per subject, ensure transparent and objective ranking, and protect learners and parents from exploitative practices.

    The new committee, inaugurated by Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, is expected to improve the quality and affordability of textbooks used in Nigerian schools.

    ‎The committee is chaired by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, with members drawn from key education agencies, including the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the National Teachers’ Institute, and the National Senior Secondary Education Commission.

    Alausa explained that the committee aims to reform the current textbook approval process that has allowed poor-quality materials, a lack of standardisation, and excessive financial burden on parents to persist.

    ‎The minister said the existing system failed to properly validate and rank textbooks before approval, resulting in some subjects having as many as 50 approved books without clear quality benchmarks.

    ‎‎He said the absence of a structured ranking system meant that low-quality instructional materials were approved alongside books of higher pedagogical value.

    Alausa ‎also faulted publishers for bundling workbooks and consumables with core textbooks, a practice he said forced parents to buy new books yearly and placed unnecessary financial pressure on families.

    ‎He said, “Your assignment is both timely and strategic. You are expected to critically review existing approval frameworks, recommend strengthened assessment instruments and ranking systems, define clear and enforceable quality benchmarks, and propose mechanisms that ensure genuine content improvement before new editions are approved.

    ‎“You are also expected to address issues of pricing transparency, edition control, separation of textbooks from consumable workbooks, and protection of learners and parents from unnecessary financial burdens.”

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    ‎He added that although regulatory agencies could approve more books, only seven textbooks per subject would be officially ranked for selection by schools, particularly under the UBEC framework.

    ‎Alausa said once ranked, textbooks would remain in use for a minimum of three years, except where major curriculum or technological changes required updates.

    ‎He urged the committee to address issues of pricing transparency, edition control, and the separation of durable textbooks from consumable materials, and called on the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council to publicise the reforms to reassure parents.

    ‎Also speaking, Ahmad pledged the committee’s commitment to reforming the textbook approval process to ensure learners have access to high-quality materials.

    She added that the committee will plug existing gaps identified by ensuring that books are standardised and properly ranked.

    ‎“As long as a textbook meets the minimum standard, it is approved, without any benchmark to determine whether it is of grade A, B, or C quality,” she said.

    ‎Also speaking, the NERDC Executive Secretary, Prof. Salisu Shehu, said the initiative would end arbitrary book selection in schools and ensure that only the best instructional materials are adopted nationwide.

    The NERDC will serve as the secretariat for the committee work. 

  • New Horizons targets 1m Almajiris for tech empowerment

    New Horizons targets 1m Almajiris for tech empowerment

    New Horizons Nigeria has unveiled its Almajiri-to-tech initiative aimed at empowering Almajiris and turning them into computer technicians in 90 days.

    Chief Executive Officer of New Horizons Nigeria, Tim Akano disclosed this during the launch of the training programme for 21 Almajiris in Abuja on Monday.

    He said through the initiative, the company hopes to remove one million Almajiris from the streets across Nigeria and equip them with essential digital skills in the next one year.

    Akano explained that the initiative is designed to empower the participants by transforming them into computer technicians within 90-days, tagged, ”From the streets to technicians in 90 days.”

    Akano, who revealed that the training package costs the institute N50million, added that it covers the costs of training, food, clothes, logistics and tools for all the trained Almajiris.

    He said besides Abuja being the pilot programme, the training would be extended to Kano, Kaduna, Zamafara and other parts of the country.

    The New Horizons Nigeria boss underscored the need to move from heavy expenditure on security measures to strategic investments in social development, arguing that success in this effort would significantly reduce the vast sums currently spent on tackling insecurity.

    He added that his estimates indicate that empowering Almajiris could boost Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) by as much as $20 billion within the next 14 to 15 months.

    He said: “If we win this battle, the billions of naira or dollar we spend in fighting insecurity, we don’t need to be spending that billions again, because my calculation shows that if we empower the Almajiri, we can grow our GDP to up to $20 billion in the next 14 or 15 months.

    “The population we have today 15 million Almajiris, and at the birth rate of 3.0 every year. If nothing is done by 2030 we are going to have 30 million Almajiris, which means Abuja where the elite hide today will also become inhabitable.”

    Also speaking, Chairman, Board of Trustees, People Expertise and Excellence Foundation, Engr. Abdullahi Bukar, commended New Horizons Nigeria for what he described as a bold and timely initiative capable of addressing both social exclusion and national security challenges.

    He noted that empowering Almajiris with practical digital skills would not only provide them with sustainable livelihoods but also integrate them productively into the economy, reducing vulnerability to crime and extremism.

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    Bukar stressed that the government alone cannot solve the Almajiri challenge, calling for stronger collaboration between the private sector, civil society organisations and relevant government agencies.

    According to him, initiatives such as the Almajiri-to- tech programme demonstrated how targeted skills development can serve as a long-term solution to poverty and insecurity, urging policymakers to support and scale similar interventions nationwide.

    He further appealed to development partners and well-meaning Nigerians to invest in human capital development, particularly among vulnerable groups, describing it as a critical pathway to national stability and economic growth.

    Bukar expressed confidence that with sustained support and effective coordination, the programme could transform lives and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s quest for inclusive development.

    Also speaking, Founder, Girl Child Concern, Dr. Mairo Mandara described the initiative as a practical model for addressing vulnerability among disadvantaged children through skills acquisition and empowerment.

    She stressed that equipping Almajiris with digital competencies would enhance their self-reliance and dignity, while also contributing to broader efforts to promote social inclusion and national development, calling on stakeholders to sustain and replicate the programme across the country.

    Mandara warned that failure to train and empower them could turn the situation into a ticking time bomb with serious consequences.

    One of the participants, Fatima Umar, expressed gratitude to New Horizons and its partners for the opportunity.

    Umar, who spoke on behalf of the trainees, said that the training would give participants hope for a better future and valuable skills that would enable them to become self-reliant, while pledging their commitment to making good use of the knowledge acquired and contributing positively to society.

  • CBN pensioners hail FG on ASUU, seek similar gesture

    CBN pensioners hail FG on ASUU, seek similar gesture

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Pensioners have commended the Federal Government for demonstrating political will through the signing of the landmark agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    According to the pensioners, the resolution of a dispute dating back to 2009 clearly shows that the Government can successfully address long-standing industrial and welfare disputes through sincerity, dialogue and faithful commitment to agreements.

    Encouraged by this milestone in the education sector, the CBN Pensioners urged the President to direct the CBN to adopt similar measures toward resolving the 26-year-old pension dispute involving retired CBN staff..

    In a statement by Messrs. David Edogiawerie and Samuel Ehigie Isokpunwu, the pensioners explained that the dispute originated in 1997 following the Federal Government’s introduction of the Policy on Harmonisation of Pensions, which was designed to eliminate disparities among employees who retired on the same grade level and with the same length of service but on different date, which led to the Federal High Court judgment of 22nd May 2000 and culminated in the Supreme Court judgment of 21st May 2010.

    They regretted the CBN has engaged its pensioners in protracted litigation, extending even to enforcement proceedings and alleged acts of intimidation and self-help, despite the matter pending before a competent court.

    “The pensioners appealed to the humane and labour-friendly Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to extend to CBN pensioners the same “ASUU spirit” of constructive engagement, fairness, and timely resolution,” the statement pleaded. 

  • Ex-Canterbury Archbishop to speak on inter-ethnic, religious harmony at ABU lecture

    Ex-Canterbury Archbishop to speak on inter-ethnic, religious harmony at ABU lecture

    Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Right Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, will deliver a public lecture on inter-ethnic and religious harmony at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, on January 29.

    The lecture, titled “Building Inter-Ethnic and Religious Harmony in Nigeria: Pathways to National Unity,” is part of activities marking the university’s 45th Convocation Ceremony.

    It will hold at 10:00am at the Abdullahi Mahadi Conference Centre, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.

    Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of ABU Governing Council, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, CFR, will chair the occasion.

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    Welby served as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury from 2013 until his resignation in 2024 and was the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion worldwide.

    A wide array of dignitaries is expected at the one-day lecture, including former Nigerian leaders, ministers, governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders and socio-cultural groups.

    ABU said Welby accepted the invitation as part of his contribution to dialogue on peace building, reconciliation and national cohesion in Nigeria.

    Beyond his clerical role, Welby is a co-director of Coventry Cathedral’s International Centre for Reconciliation and has worked extensively on conflict resolution in Africa and the Middle East.

    In Nigeria, he was involved in efforts to broker peace between Shell Oil Company and the Ogoni people in 2005 amid environmental and human rights disputes.

    As Archbishop of Canterbury, Welby officiated at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and presided over the coronation of King Charles III in 2023, events noted for their inter-faith symbolism.