Category: Education

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has been named Most Innovative Cabinet Minister of the Year (2025) at the Silver Jubilee Awards organised by Independent Newspapers Limited in Lagos.

In a statement, Alausa said he received the recognition with humility, describing it not as a personal achievement but as a reflection of the collective work of the Ministry of Education and the government in transforming the sector.

He highlighted several initiatives under his leadership, including strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), advancing STEMM education, supporting student innovators through the Student Venture Capital Grant, establishing the Nigerian Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI), expanding the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), and reaching a landmark agreement with ASUU to stabilise universities.

Alausa credited these achievements to a “one-government approach,” emphasizing collaboration with other ministries, federal agencies, and subnational governments. He said the reforms form part of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“There is still much to do — but the direction is clear. And we are moving,” he concluded.

Other honorees at the awards included notable figures from governance, business, and media, among them Aise Television anchor Rufai Oseni, Prince Samuel Adedoyin, Chief Don Obot Etiebet, Atedo Peterside, founder and former Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Bank, and Chief Kessington Adebutu, Chairman of Premier Lotto, for their contributions to national development.

In the governance category, a number of state governors and federal ministers were recognised for their performance and policy impact. Notable nominees included Alex Otti of Abia State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Babagana Zulum of Borno State.

The ceremony, held on Saturday in Lagos, marked the 25th anniversary of Independent Newspapers Limited and celebrated outstanding Nigerians across diverse sectors.

ABUJA, Nigeria — 18 April 2026 (Agency Report) — The University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University, has graduated no fewer than 17,200 students at its combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremonies held in the nation’s capital.

The event also featured the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on three distinguished Nigerians, including Paul Odili, Prof. Yusuf Ali (SAN), and Emmanuel Iza.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, said the institution is undergoing strategic repositioning through infrastructure expansion, staff development, and partnerships aimed at strengthening research capacity and improving learning outcomes.

Providing a breakdown, Fawehinmi said 7,158 undergraduates graduated in the 2022/2023 session, including 48 First Class degrees, 2,048 Second Class Upper, 4,418 Second Class Lower, and 644 Third Class. For the 2023/2024 session, 5,466 undergraduates were produced, comprising 29 First Class, 1,395 Second Class Upper, 3,091 Second Class Lower, and 951 Third Class degrees.

He added that 4,573 postgraduate students graduated between March 2024 and March 2026, covering postgraduate diplomas, master’s degrees, PhDs, and professional doctorates.

The vice-chancellor urged graduates to uphold integrity, discipline, and selflessness, stressing that character would define their success beyond academic achievements. He also charged them to protect the reputation of the university.

Fawehinmi noted that since December, the administration has prioritised stabilising academic activities, strengthening governance, and improving staff and student welfare. He listed completed projects to include a Senate chamber complex, research laboratories, upgraded science facilities, an improved entrance road, and Phase One of a computer-based testing centre.

Ongoing projects, he said, include additional student hostels, a Centre of Excellence in Public Leadership and Governance, and facilities for sickle cell research and training. He added that the university is among six selected for the Federal Government’s $4 billion intervention programme for health professional training.

Earlier, Pro-Chancellor, Sen. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, called for increased private sector collaboration to address infrastructure deficits, particularly student accommodation, noting that enrolment has nearly doubled without corresponding hostel expansion.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, represented by Permanent Secretary Abel Enitan, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the education sector through investment, infrastructure, and improved welfare.

Speaking on behalf of the honorary awardees, Odili pledged support for the institution’s development and expressed optimism that key challenges would be addressed through collaboration with the university’s leadership.

ABUJA, Nigeria — 15 April 2026 (NPA) — Reverend Peter Okuromade, a former Chief Executive of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), today received the organisation’s Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, during a courtesy visit to his residence in Abuja.

During their interaction, Reverend Okuromade called for a moral rebirth among Corps Members, stressing the importance of instilling values of responsible citizenship during orientation camps. He noted that Corps Members, as future leaders and role models, must be guided towards ideals that strengthen their sense of duty to the nation.

A statement issued by NYSC described Reverend Okuromade, who led the Corps between January and March 2002, as a respected figure in the organisation’s history. It commended General Nafiu’s leadership since assuming office as Director General, praising his commitment to staff and Corps welfare.

In a related development, Major General Suleiman Kazaure (Rtd), who served as NYSC Director General from April 2016 to October 2019, also received General Nafiu at his Abuja residence. Kazaure lauded the Scheme’s contributions to national unity, youth empowerment, job creation, and mentorship. He urged the current leadership to strengthen ties with stakeholders to ensure the safety of Corps Members and officials, particularly those expected to serve as ad hoc staff during and after the 2027 general elections.

Kazaure assured his guest of his readiness to offer support and advice whenever needed. “You are doing very well, keep it up. I am proud of you,” he said.

Earlier, General Nafiu praised the efforts of the former NYSC Chief Executives for their contributions to the Scheme’s achievements during their tenures, pledging to build on their legacies and continue advancing the organisation’s mission.

ABUJA, Nigeria, 11 April 2026 (NPA) — The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has delisted 23 Computer‑Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide following technical deficiencies observed during the 2026 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

In a statement signed by JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, on Friday in Abuja, the Board confirmed that one centre in Lagos State has been permanently barred from participating in any of its examinations. Several other centres with minor operational challenges were issued warnings and directed to address deficiencies immediately or risk further sanctions.

Benjamin explained that the mock UTME serves as a vital preparatory exercise, designed to familiarise candidates with the CBT environment while enabling JAMB to assess the operational readiness of accredited centres. Post‑examination technical reviews revealed that some centres failed to meet the required standards.

“The exercise provides the Board with the opportunity to evaluate facilities, identify technical shortcomings, and ensure only centres that comply with operational benchmarks participate in the main UTME,” he said.

He added that the sanctions reflect JAMB’s commitment to safeguarding the credibility, integrity, and smooth conduct of its examinations nationwide. Candidates scheduled for the main UTME were urged to remain calm, with assurances that necessary adjustments would be made to ensure no candidate is disadvantaged.

Benjamin reiterated JAMB’s zero‑tolerance stance on technical failures capable of disrupting examinations and confirmed that improved monitoring mechanisms would be deployed ahead of the main UTME. He advised candidates to continue printing their examination notification slips to confirm their dates, venues, and times.

ABUJA, Nigeria, 11 April 2026 (NPA) — The Federal Government has introduced the first‑ever nationwide Learner Identification Number (LIN), a digital system designed to assign every student a permanent academic identity. The initiative aims to support learning continuity, improve planning, and enable timely interventions across Nigeria’s education sector.

Announcing the development, the Honourable Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the LIN as a transformational milestone aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises human capital development and technology‑driven reforms.

In its first phase, more than 1.9 million candidates for the 2026 examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) have been issued LINs. The system strengthens education data management and enhances examination integrity.

According to Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry, the LIN enables seamless tracking of academic progression across all levels and is integrated with the Digitised National Education Management Information System (DNEMIS), which provides a national register of schools.

By linking learners to verified identities, the system enhances examination security, reduces impersonation, and supports the tracking of out‑of‑school children, dropouts, and learning gaps. The Ministry confirmed that the system will be expanded nationwide across public and private schools and urged stakeholders to support full implementation.

Reaffirming its commitment, the Federal Ministry of Education stated that the LIN represents a decisive step towards building a transparent, inclusive, and data‑driven education system capable of meeting Nigeria’s long‑term development goals.