Category: Education

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has officially launched the second edition of the Eko Schools Arts and Crafts Competition 2026, themed “THIS IS LAGOS!”, reaffirming its commitment to youth empowerment and the growth of the creative economy.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, May 4, 2026, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Bopo Oyekan‑Ismaila, said the competition serves as a strategic platform to discover, nurture, and showcase the immense creative potential of young people in Lagos. She stressed that the initiative aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda, particularly the Entertainment and Tourism pillar.

Reflecting on the maiden edition, Oyekan‑Ismaila revealed that 153 entries were received from students across secondary and tertiary institutions, with nine winners emerging across three categories. “That success affirmed one truth: Lagos is brimming with creative brilliance. Our young people are ready to lead the creative economy when given the right opportunities,” she stated.

Announcing the commencement of the 2026 edition, she disclosed that the Ministry is scaling up the competition with structured mentorship from industry professionals, broader industry engagement, internship opportunities, and increased visibility across digital and physical platforms. She noted that the initiative bridges the gap between classroom learning and real‑world creative enterprise, equipping participants with relevant skills while preserving Lagos’ cultural heritage.

Calling on schools, teachers, parents, and guardians to encourage participation, she said: “This is your platform. This is your moment. Let your creativity speak. Let your art tell the story of Lagos and open doors to limitless possibilities.”

The registration portal, www.ekoschoolsartsandcrafts.com, is now open and will run until Monday, May 25, 2026.

Reaffirming government’s commitment to the creative sector, Oyekan‑Ismaila added: “When creativity thrives, innovation flourishes. When innovation flourishes, economies grow. And when economies grow, the people are healthier and happier.” She expressed optimism that this year’s edition will be bigger, more inclusive, and more impactful, producing talents who will proudly represent Lagos on the global stage.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended the 2026 Direct Entry (DE) registration exercise to May 8, giving eligible candidates additional time to complete their applications.

JAMB announced the extension in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin.

According to Benjamin, the decision was taken to ensure that no qualified candidate is denied the opportunity to gain admission into tertiary institutions.

He said the new deadline supersedes the earlier closing date announced by the board.

The spokesperson also disclosed that JAMB had approved five additional registration centres to reduce pressure in areas with high demand.

The newly approved centres are the Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CODL), Mini Campus, University of Ilorin, Kwara State; Bells University of Technology; and Olabisi Onabanjo University Centre 1, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

Others include the Prof. Usman E-Learning Centre, Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo State; and Human Development Initiatives (Grace House), No. 2 Iwaya, Sabo, opposite Onike Girls Junior High School, Onike, Lagos.

Benjamin urged prospective candidates to take advantage of the extension, noting that JAMB offices nationwide, including Professional Registration Centres (PRCs) and Professional Testing Centres (PTCs), remain open for registration. (NAN).

IJEBU ODE, Nigeria (NPA) — The Students’ Union leadership of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education Students’ Union (TASUED) has condemned the recent wave of robbery attacks targeting students within and around the institution’s host community, issuing a 72-hour ultimatum to security agencies to address the growing insecurity.

In a statement dated April 30, 2026, the union described the attacks as unacceptable, warning that students pursuing academic activities were being subjected to fear, trauma and the loss of personal belongings due to the activities of criminal elements.

The letter, copied to the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspector General of Police, the Ogun State Commissioner of Education, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police and the Police Area Command in Ijebu-Ode, was signed by union leaders including President Ogunfowora Oluwashinayomi B., General Secretary Salawudeen Toheeb O., Vice President Muh-Omolaja Zulfah, Senate Secretary Isreal Aduragbemi O., Public Relations Officer Olaleye Riowan A., Treasurer Adekoya Segun O., Financial Secretary Abimbola Oregunwa M., Welfare Director Hamzat Razaq O., and Sport Director Salmon Fawaz O.

The union said it would not remain passive in the face of the “disturbing developments,” noting that the persistence of the attacks had stretched the patience of students to its limit.

“We refuse to allow insecurity to become a norm within our community,” the statement read.

The students’ body subsequently issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilante groups and other security agencies to apprehend those responsible for the attacks and implement lasting measures to prevent further occurrences.

The union also demanded an immediate reinforcement of security presence through intensified patrols in student-populated areas and other vulnerable locations, urging security agencies to adopt intelligence-driven strategies aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating around the university community.

According to the statement, authorities must prioritize the protection of lives and property to ensure the university environment and surrounding communities no longer serve as safe havens for criminal elements.

The union advised students to remain calm but vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies or the Students’ Union leadership.

It added that discussions were ongoing with university management and relevant security stakeholders to ensure urgent and sustainable security measures were implemented across the institution.

Responding to the concerns raised by the students, the Ogun State Police Command assured the university community that the Commissioner of Police had ordered an immediate investigation into the incidents reported around Ijele and the university environment in recent weeks.

The police said strategic security deployments were already underway following discussions between the Divisional Police Officer of Igbeba and the Students’ Union president, urging the aggrieved students to remain calm and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station as efforts continue to apprehend those behind the attacks.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — In continuation of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives on financial literacy, the NNPC Foundation Ltd./Gte has conducted its second 2026 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) skills empowerment training for Batch A, Stream 2 corps members at the FCT NYSC Orientation Camp, Kubwa, Abuja, over the weekend.

Delivered in partnership with the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) scheme, the programme covers financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and business development. The training structure includes a financial literacy test, a “Kick Start My Business” course, and business proposal pitching.

Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, represented by Head of Programme Management, Rose Okonkwo, noted that over one million corps members have been trained nationwide through the initiative.

Acting Director of SAED, Usman Yahaya, commended the NNPC Foundation for its consistent support, urging corps members to acquire multiple skills during their service year to position themselves as job creators rather than job seekers.

It will be recalled that last year, 531 youths received starter packs and financial support to launch their businesses, with most beneficiaries recording measurable progress across their enterprises.

Through the financial literacy programme, the NNPC Foundation Ltd./Gte has sustained its commitment to preparing young Nigerians for sustainable careers and self‑reliance, contributing to national economic growth and development.

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Lagos State Ministry of Establishments and Training has congratulated its Permanent Secretary, Olubusola Ajibola Abidakun, on earning a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) with specialisation in Human Resource Management from Lagos State University (LASU).

In a statement, the Ministry described the achievement as both a personal milestone and a boost to the capacity of the Lagos State Public Service, noting that it strengthens leadership at a critical level of governance.

According to the Ministry, Abidakun—who serves as the Accounting Officer—brings extensive academic credentials to the role, including three master’s degrees in English Stylistics, Business Administration, and Personnel Management and Industrial Relations from the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos. She is also pursuing a fourth master’s degree in Corporate Communications at Rome Business School, Lagos.

The statement emphasised that the new qualification would enhance the Ministry’s drive for innovative, strategic, and people-centred human resource management, aimed at improving service delivery across the state.

Highlighting the broader significance, the Ministry urged public servants to embrace continuous learning, stressing that career advancement should not mark the end of personal development.

“Leadership is most impactful when it is driven by a continuous quest for knowledge,” the statement noted, adding that the accomplishment serves as a reminder of the importance of lifelong learning.

The Ministry called on public officers to prioritise capacity building through structured training programmes, digital learning platforms, and research-driven innovation to address administrative and service delivery challenges.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to creating an environment that rewards merit, promotes professional growth, and supports continuous development across all levels of the public service.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Federal Ministry of Education has announced the introduction of a National Textbook Ranking System for primary, junior, and senior secondary schools, aimed at strengthening quality assurance and standardisation in Nigeria’s education sector.

According to a statement issued by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, the initiative seeks to address the proliferation of textbooks and ensure that only high‑quality, curriculum‑compliant materials are approved for classroom use.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, alongside Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, explained that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue its statutory role of approving textbooks. However, approved materials will now undergo a structured national ranking process to identify the most suitable options for each subject and level.

NERDC will establish Standing Subject Committees comprising experts to conduct rigorous evaluations based on defined academic and pedagogical standards. Only a limited number of top‑ranked textbooks will be approved, ensuring improved quality control and consistency nationwide.

Under the new policy, any textbook not ranked will be prohibited from classroom use, regardless of prior licensing status.

Implementation of the ranking system is scheduled to begin in September 2026, following stakeholder engagement and completion of the evaluation framework.

The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to improving learning outcomes and ensuring access to high‑quality educational resources, describing the initiative as a significant step toward raising standards across Nigeria’s schools.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Olakunle Nafiu, has assured corps members that their welfare, safety, and security remain the top priority of the scheme and will not be compromised.

Nafiu gave the assurance while addressing members of the 2026 Batch “A” Stream II deployed to Niger State, as well as those posted to the Federal Capital Territory but undergoing orientation at the NYSC camp in Paiko.

The DG disclosed that he was in Makurdi when he received reports of damage caused by a late-night rainstorm at the Paiko orientation camp. He said he immediately mobilised his team to assess the situation and initiate urgent repairs to affected facilities.

While noting that orientation camps are not designed for luxury, Nafiu emphasised that minimum standards must be maintained. He added that discussions were ongoing between the NYSC and the Niger State Government to fast-track repairs and upgrade the camp, assuring corps members that they would not be left stranded.

He also commended the discipline of the corps members, observing that there were no social media posts or images circulating about the damaged structures.

Highlighting the objectives of the scheme, Nafiu said the NYSC was established to promote national unity and integration, urging corps members to build lasting friendships across ethnic and cultural lines.

He further sensitised them on the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, describing it as a critical component of the service year that equips participants with practical skills for job creation and additional income opportunities.

The DG revealed that the 2026 Batch “A” Stream II corps members would be the first set to participate as ad-hoc staff in the 2027 general elections. He noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission would provide the necessary training, while cautioning corps members against partisanship, thuggery, and other electoral malpractices.

Reiterating the non-partisan nature of the scheme, Nafiu stressed that corps members are prohibited from engaging in political activities during their service year.

He also urged them to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to ensure their safety, especially during the rainy season, which often brings storms and flooding.

In her remarks, the NYSC Coordinator in Niger State, Mrs. Martina Shuaibu Ibrahim, said a total of 2,484 corps members—comprising 1,241 males and 1,243 females—had been registered for the orientation course, including those redeployed from the FCT to the Niger camp.