Tag: The National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS)

By Mohammed Dauda Eibo

The monumental turnaround and repositioning of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) under the leadership of Prof. Yahuza Sulaiman Imam deserves an ovation from well-meaning Nigerians. The board is a national examination body responsible for the conduct of Senior Arabic and Islamic Secondary School Certificate Examination (SAISSCE), the certificate issued to students of Integrated Arabic and Islamic Secondary Schools where Science, Arts and Commerce subjects are similarly offered. The students must have sat for and passed the SAISSCE.

Essentially, NBAIS is an examination body, just like the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), established to conduct Senior Secondary examinations for integrated Arabic and Islamic schools across the country. Candidates from such schools must have also written and passed the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Post UTME (PUTME) before qualifying for admission into a tertiary institution of their choice.

The National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) have directed all tertiary institutions under their purview to accept Senior Arabic and Islamic Secondary School Certificate Examination for admission into their respective institutions of higher learning, thereby offering equal admission opportunity for WAEC, NECO and NBAIS candidates.

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It is, therefore, erroneous to assume that Arabic Language and Islamic Studies are the only subjects that qualify holders of SAISSCE results for admission into tertiary institutions. Rather, all other subjects taken by WAEC, NECO and NABTEB candidates are similarly taken by NBAIS candidates in tandem with the ongoing Federal Government’s programme for the integration of Tsangaya and Qur’anic Education (IQTE).

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria has recognised the Senior Arabic and Islamic Secondary School Certificate for admission into nursing programmes. This decision has increased access to higher education. NMCN has unlocked new opportunities for students.

It is noteworthy that alongside Arabic and Islamic subjects, Integrated Arabic and Islamic Schools offer English and Mathematics as well as science, arts, commerce and technical subjects that are prerequisites to studying a chosen field of study.

The National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has successfully concluded four training and sensitisation programmes aimed at improving the quality of Tsangaya education in the country.

The Tsangaya system of education is an Islamic educational system that provides basic education and religious training to students. It is one of the initiatives of the Federal Government to address the problems of out-of-school children.

The agency’s head of Information and Protocol, Muazu Yunusa Sambo, said the programmes were funded under the 2022 and 2023 UBEC Special Intervention Fund and they focused on enhancing capacity- building for Tsangaya teachers and managers.

It was also aimed at achieving the Federal Government’s objective of Integrating Tsangaya and Qur’anic Education (IQTE) into the conventional system of education.

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The training/sensitisation programmes were carried out in Bauchi, Minna, Kaduna and Kano. A two-day training programme was held in Bauchi, Bauchi State, from September 28 to 29, 2024, at the Conference Hall of the Bauchi Central Mosque.

The focus was on improving teaching methodologies and curriculum knowledge for Tsangaya educators. The event, attended by 200 Tsangaya teachers, was delivered in Arabic, English and Hausa to ensure the intended messages were well-imparted.

Key topics included modern teaching techniques, entrepreneurial opportunities and strategies for community engagement. The training also provided valuable insights into skills development and local business opportunities for participants.

Representatives from NBAIS and UBEC, the Emir of Bauchi, and the Bauchi State Pilgrims Welfare Board attended the event.

The initiative attracted strong commendations and feedback from participants indicated a greater understanding of effective teaching and community involvement. Trainers recommended continuous funding to sustain the programme, increased government support, and fostering local business linkages for entrepreneurial growth.

In Minna, Niger State, over 250 participants attended the two-day programme from October 24 to 25. It was aimed at modernising Tsangaya education. Sessions included discussions on the role of traditional leaders, addressing security and economic challenges through Islamic education, and integrating Tsangaya schools into Nigeria’s formal education system.