Category: Education

LAGOS, Nigeria, 9 April 2026 (NPA) — The Lagos State Government has launched a new Strategic Plan for the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), aimed at transforming school regulation and improving learning outcomes across the state.

At the unveiling ceremony at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Tolani Alli‑Balogun, described the plan as a forward‑looking policy aligned with the administration’s THEMES Agenda. He expressed confidence that the initiative would drive reforms in school supervision, teacher capacity development, and overall education standards.

Key features include automation of private school registration, designed to reduce physical visits, minimise human interference, and streamline regulatory processes. Alli‑Balogun said the reforms would ensure Lagos education remains “secure, credible, and globally competitive.”

Permanent Secretary, Mrs Abisola Dokunmu‑Adegbite, emphasised that the plan would standardise learning outcomes, strengthen accountability frameworks, and promote continuous quality improvement. She noted that the initiative reflects a deliberate effort to reposition the education sector through structured planning and data‑driven decision‑making.

OEQA Director‑General, Dr Sulaimon Olagoke Ogunmuyiwa, called for staff buy‑in to ensure successful implementation. He explained that the plan is anchored on the SCRIPT framework — Staff Capacity, Collaboration, Revenue, Improved Governance, Professionalism, and Technology — serving as a roadmap for efficiency and sustainable growth. Training programmes and automation processes have already commenced to strengthen monitoring and audit systems in schools.

Former Acting Directors‑General, Mrs Hameedat Sanni and Mr Remi Abdul, hailed the plan as a bold step toward repositioning Lagos education, urging staff to embrace the reforms. Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mrs Mojisola Bamgbose, described the launch as a defining moment, stressing that its success depends on effective implementation and measurable outcomes.

Lagos has been unarguably the leader in digitalising teaching and learning in public schools in Nigeria, and with this latest initiative, the state is once more extending the bar of quality learning nationwide.

The unveiling forms part of the achievements of Dr Ogunmuyiwa’s first 100 days in office, during which he introduced key reforms to enhance OEQA’s efficiency and service delivery.

ABUJA, NIGERIA, April 4, 2026 (Agency Report) — The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NiDO) Americas – South Savannah, Georgia, has commended Dr. Morufu Alausa, Nigeria’s Minister of Education, for what it described as a transformational impact in the country’s education sector within just one year in office.

In a statement jointly signed by Chapter President Collins Ikegwuonu and Vice-President Dr. Tomi Ademokun, NiDOA announced plans to confer the Ministerial Impact Award on Alausa in recognition of his visionary leadership, bold reforms, and contributions to advancing Nigeria’s global standing in education.

The organisation highlighted Alausa’s initiatives aimed at shifting Nigeria’s education system from a focus on access to one centered on excellence. It praised his role as a diaspora trailblazer whose service and innovation have made the Nigerian-American diaspora proud.

Among the achievements cited were:

• Transition from the 6-3-3-4 system to a modern 12-year basic education model.
• A new emphasis on technical education with an 80 percent practical / 20 percent theory approach.
• Introduction of data-driven education planning systems.
• Launch of the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
• Expansion of girls’ education initiatives under the AGILE programme.
• Digital transformation of learning and administration.
• Policy and curriculum reforms, alongside improved governance and accountability.

NiDOA noted that these reforms were backed by verified ministry reports and measurable outcomes, describing them as evidence of Alausa’s “bold reforms and renewed national vision for education.”

“As a distinguished leader from the diaspora, Alausa represents the excellence and global impact of Nigerian professionals abroad,” the statement read. “NiDOA South Savannah affirms its continued support for policies that empower youth, strengthen institutions, and drive sustainable national progress.”

Alausa, a retired surgeon from Chicago, has been widely credited with driving innovation and reform in Nigeria’s education sector since assuming office. The award, NiDOA said, is both a recognition of his achievements and an encouragement to sustain momentum in transforming Nigeria’s education landscape.

OSHOGBO, NIGERIA, 2 April 2026 (NPA) — Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Thursday, attended the inauguration of the ₦150 million MicCom Memorial Endowment for Engineering Development at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, in honour of the late Engr. Michael Ayantunde Ponnle and Engr. (Mrs) Comfort Olufunke Ponnle.

Governor Adeleke described the lives of the honourees as exemplifying vision, innovation and a shared commitment to national development. 

He noted that through enterprise, mentorship and dedication to excellence, they demonstrated that Nigerian engineers can build, compete and lead at the highest level.

In a statement, the governor said the endowment represents a strategic investment in the future, designed to support academic excellence, strengthen research and innovation, bridge the gap between theory and practice, and nurture responsible, value‑driven engineers.

He commended the Ponle family for the initiative, stressing that it ensures the legacy of the late patriots continues to inspire future generations. “As a government, we remain committed to supporting education, innovation and partnerships that drive sustainable development in Osun State,” Adeleke affirmed.

ABUJA, NIGERIA, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — The Federal Ministry of Education has announced the launch of the Nigeria National Laureate Annual Prize Programme, a groundbreaking initiative designed to reward exceptional academic research and innovation in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

In a press release issued on 31 March, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, described the programme as a strategic effort to elevate scholarly excellence and position research as a driver of national development.

According to Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, the prize will award ₦5 million for outstanding undergraduate dissertations, ₦10 million for master’s theses, and ₦20 million for doctoral research. Winners will also receive national recognition at a high-profile gala.

Dr Alausa emphasised that the initiative seeks to reposition academic work as a valuable national asset, encouraging innovation and intellectual contribution. The programme will be funded by the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) and its partners, with a 10-member committee chaired by Professor Abubakar Sambo overseeing submissions, evaluations, and selections.

Tertiary institutions have been directed to nominate outstanding research, while the committee retains the authority to identify exceptional works independently. The 2026 cycle will begin with a call for submissions in May, followed by evaluations from June to September, and will culminate in the National Laureate Gala in Abuja this November.

The Ministry noted that the prize marks a decisive shift in Nigeria’s academic landscape, contrasting the neglect of scholarly achievement with the lavish rewards often given to reality television contestants. 

The new programme is a complete departure from a culture where academics are overlooked while participants in TV reality shows walk away with over a hundred million naira for appearing half-naked on national television.

LAGOS, NIGERIA, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has entered the second day of its three-day capacity-building workshop for National Electoral Commissioners and senior management staff, with Chairman Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, leading deliberations on procurement integrity as a cornerstone of credible elections.

Prof. Amupitan’s active participation underscored the Commission’s commitment to strengthening procurement systems ahead of the 2027 General Election. He emphasised that transparent procurement directly impacts the timely delivery of sensitive materials, deployment of technology, and overall logistics, noting that strict adherence to regulatory frameworks is vital for public confidence.

Day Two featured interactive sessions in which Commissioners and Directors reflected on past challenges and shared strategies to improve compliance. Mr Nelson Ojougboh of the Bureau of Public Procurement highlighted the importance of aligning procurement with the national budget cycle, warning that non-compliance constitutes a statutory violation. He introduced revised Standard Bidding Documents to enhance transparency and efficiency.

Prof Prince Michael Ikupolati addressed procurement risks, emphasising proactive management and the use of insurance instruments, such as performance bonds, to safeguard resources. Mrs Nanzok Bukata focused on structured planning, documentation, and transparency, stressing that clear records and due process are essential to credibility.

The workshop reinforced INEC’s resolve to institutionalise best practices and strengthen its culture of accountability. Prof. Amupitan’s leadership signalled the Commission’s determination to ensure procurement reform supports the successful delivery of a credible and transparent 2027 electoral process.