Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is considering legal action against Nigerian entertainer, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, after he failed to appear at its Abuja headquarters on Friday, May 30.

The agency had summoned Okoye following his alleged shocking claim during a live Instagram session that he had engaged in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl—a revelation that quickly went viral and sparked widespread outrage.

The summon, issued on Wednesday and signed by the agency’s Head of Cybercrime Response Team, Ngamaraju Mangzha, directed the singer to present himself at NAPTIP’s head office in Abuja by 9:00 a.m. on Friday.

By midday, an official at the agency’s Wuse Zone 5 office, confirmed that Okoye had not shown up.

“As of now, we are still waiting. If we don’t see him, we will take action based on the notice issued. The last paragraph is very clear,” the agency official said.
Another official, speaking anonymously, noted that Okoye had offered no explanation for his absence.

The video, which surfaced on Tuesday, featured Okoye claiming he had slept with a “15-year-old virgin.” The remark drew swift condemnation from viewers and women’s rights advocates, who labelled it a public confession of statutory rape.

Within 24 hours, the Lagos State Government escalated the matter to NAPTIP, citing jurisdictional limits. The agency acted quickly by summoning Okoye.
NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Mr Adekoye Vincent, confirmed that the agency’s Director-General, Binta Bello, was closely monitoring the situation.

“We are concerned. Our DG is seriously concerned. She’s monitoring the situation by the hour. Why? It’s an issue that borders on a minor, the human rights of the minor, and sexual abuse. Anything could have happened to that girl.

“He was not under duress. It was an admission. Look at what he released yesterday: a video saying that if he had known that this 15-year-old would generate this, he would have gone for a 12-year-old.”

When asked whether the agency would apprehend Okoye or hand the case over to police, Adekoye replied:

“His failure to appear will ensure that we know what to do within the law. It is clear. It may be prosecution or arrest, but whatever it is, we are very concerned.”
Amid growing backlash, Isaac Fayose—brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose—disclosed that the girl referenced in the video intended to file a formal police complaint.

In a bid to defuse the situation, Speed Darlington later claimed the video was not a true confession but rather a publicity stunt to promote his music.
“I need controversy to eat,” he stated, describing the video as “a prank.”

However, the retraction did little to calm public outrage. Critics insisted that joking about child sexual abuse is both dangerous and unacceptable.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND has assured Nigerian students of its commitment to building a technology-driven system to enhance seamless access to its loan services.

This assurance was given by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, during a stakeholders’ engagement session and technical workshop held in Abuja with representatives from polytechnics, monotechnics, and institutes.

Sawyerr revealed that more than 320,000 students have already received funding, while many more are currently undergoing verification. He emphasized that NELFUND’s mission is not only to disburse loans but to ensure that every willing young Nigerian, regardless of their background or location, can access education without financial barriers.

“For too long, students in technical institutions have faced steep financial obstacles. Some drop out, while others never even apply due to a lack of means,” Sawyerr said. “This is the gap NELFUND seeks to close. But we can’t do it alone. It requires collaboration with government bodies and the private sector.”

Highlighting the Fund’s goals, he stated that NELFUND is developing a platform characterized by transparency, accountability, and efficiency. The aim is to enable students to apply with confidence, institutions to verify swiftly, and funds to be disbursed in a timely and fair manner.

“We’re aiming for access without stress—a platform students can use with confidence,” he added. “Transparency and trust are key, so that no one is left wondering about their application status. This system must reflect real-world conditions, not just assumptions.”

He praised the technical institutions for their role in developing skills, building careers, and supporting communities. Sawyerr emphasized the importance of institutional feedback and cooperation in shaping a loan system that is responsive and effective.

“To NBTE, we recognize your leadership in technical education. Your collaboration is essential as we advance the integration of NELFUND systems,” he noted.

Also speaking at the event, NELFUND’s Executive Director of Operations, Mr. Iyal Mustapha, reaffirmed that over 320,000 students have already been paid, and verifications are ongoing for more applicants. He explained that of the 576,000 students registered on the NELFUND portal, only 516,000 completed their applications.

“The difference stems from incomplete processes—some due to lack of data, others from disinterest or system testing. We want to close this gap,” Mustapha said. “With institutional support, we can ensure more students complete the process and access both the upkeep loan, which offers N20,000 monthly, and the institutional loan, which is paid directly to schools.”

He emphasized that institutions play a key role in verifying student information and enabling the disbursement process. He announced that NELFUND is exploring technical integration with institutional portals through APIs, which would allow seamless access to student data directly from the schools’ systems.

“Our goal is to eliminate redundant data collection. We are considering deploying IT personnel to institutions to facilitate integration,” Mustapha stated. “Ideally, students could apply for loans through their institution’s portal during registration or payment processes, with schools validating the data. Once confirmed, we disburse funds directly to institutions.”

This proposed system, he added, would simplify and accelerate the loan process, removing barriers for students and minimizing administrative delays.

As the workshop continued, both NELFUND leaders urged participants to engage fully, provide candid feedback, and contribute to building a functional, sustainable, and transformative education financing system.

“At the heart of all this is the student—a young Nigerian with dreams and the courage to pursue them,” Sawyerr concluded. “Everything we do must serve that student.”

The stakeholders’ engagement marks a pivotal step in NELFUND’s efforts to modernize educational funding and extend opportunity to every qualified Nigerian learner.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has said that less than 50 per cent of public primary schools in Nigeria have digital technology in their schools.

For this reason, it is set to leverage technology to revolutionize the delivery of basic education nationwide.

UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during a media briefing ahead of the 2025 International Conference on Smart Education and Digital Literacy (ICSE 2025), jointly organized by the Commission and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

The three-day conference, scheduled for May 6 to 9 in Abuja, has its theme as ‘Empowering African Smart Education Through Emerging Technologies.’

According to Garba, the event is aimed at repositioning Nigeria to align with some other African nations in integrating technology into education.

“For example, Rwanda has been using technology in basic education system for many years. They have reached a level of using AI in their classrooms. For us in Nigeria, we have already started by doing the smart schools, which already many of you are aware of.

“We have about 36 plus one in each of all the states that we have in the country. These smart schools are very high technology advanced with content studio teachers that are already skilled in terms of technology, teaching and learning in classroom,” she said.

Garba emphasized the need to equip basic schools with the infrastructure necessary for a smart education system.

“From the data, it shows that less than 50 per cent of public primary schools in Nigeria have digital technology in their schools.

“So for that, in UBEC, it is very important what we are doing, which is trying to shift from the hardware-invested infrastructure to make our schools in basic education, to make it smart technology-enabled, to deploy technology in providing access to basic education across all parts of Nigeria.

Whether a child is in the rural area, semi-urban or urban area, there’s a technology appropriate to be applied to that context that will enable the child to read and write. In addition to what the child can get, for us, very key activity is the teacher,” Garba said.

KOICA Country Director, Kim Eunsub, emphasized South Korea’s support for Nigeria’s smart education journey through the KOICA Smart School Initiative in collaboration with UBEC.

He noted the initiative had already facilitated the construction of state-of-the-art smart schools, the training of teachers and administrators, and the sharing of learning resources.

While describing the upcoming conference as a platform to deepen collaboration and build on the progress of the initiative, Kim revealed plans for a second phase of the project to begin in 2026.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The federal government has announced a N110billion intervention fund to upgrade infrastructures of key tertiary institutions across the six geo-political zones of the country.

The decision, according to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, is to curtail the trend of medical professionals leaving the country for greener pastures abroad.

Alausa disclosed this while inaugurating the Ministerial Monitoring Committee on TETFund High Impact Intervention Project for Medical Schools Rehabilitation across the Six Geo-Political zones at the TETFund headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

Explaining the sharing formula, he said out of the Funds, N70billion will be spent on rehabilitating all the medical schools to be at par with international standard, while N15billion will go for building hostels for the medical students.

Recall that in recent times, there had been growing concerns of neglect of medical colleges across the country, a development that has been attributed to many Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad.

He said President Bola Tinubu has mandated key universities in the country to increase their admission quota for medical students, as a means of curbing brain drain in the medical profession.

According to Alausa, the idea behind the policy is to train more medical personnel both for local and international job opportunities.

The minister said the intervention will be sustained over a period of five years, by the federal government.

Earlier, chairman of the Board of TETFund, and former governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, blamed Vice Chancellors for contributing to decay in the university system.

He said if this kind of intervention is sustained over a period of five years, the positive impact will become more glaring, because the results will trickle down to more medical personnel to serve the local population and well-equipped human capital for export to the international community.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The federal government has mandated all vice-chancellors of federal universities, rectors of polytechnic, and provosts of other institutions to publish key institutional data on their official websites with immediate effect.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, who gave the directive, stated that the move was to entrench transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria’s tertiary education system in line with global best practices.

According to a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, each institution must provide its annual budgetary allocation in full detail, including the breakdown of expenditure across three core areas: personnel costs, overhead costs, and capital expenditure.

“In addition, institutions are to disclose their research grant revenue from the previous year. This data should be separated into two distinct sources: grants obtained from domestic bodies such as local industries, government agencies, or foundations, and those received from international sources, including foreign institutions, multilateral organisations, and development partners.

“Also to be displayed is the TETFund allocation for the current year. The institutions must clearly show the total amount received from the TETFund, reflecting financial support for academic and infrastructural development in the present calendar year,” the statement said.

The directive further mandates the institutions to publish the total value of their endowment fund as recorded at the end of the previous year.
‘This figure, which reflects funds donated or invested for the institution’s long-term financial health, must be updated quarterly to ensure currency and transparency,” it said.

The minister also ordered the institutions to present their current total student population, which must be categorised into undergraduate and postgraduate levels, thereby providing a clear picture of enrolment and institutional capacity.

The minister emphasised that the information must be presented in a clear, accessible, and user-friendly format for public visibility.

“Websites should be structured in a way that allows the public, including parents, students, and stakeholders, to easily locate and understand these data points,” it said.

Alausa ordered that all federal institutions comply fully with this directive and ensure that their websites are completely updated no later than May 31, 2025.

 “To ensure adherence, the Federal Ministry of Education will conduct periodic reviews of institutional websites and take appropriate administrative actions against non-compliant institutions. These reviews will be used to gauge compliance and drive policy decisions that promote transparency.

“This policy is part of a broader reform initiative aimed at strengthening public trust in the nation’s tertiary institutions, enhancing performance-based funding, and improving Nigeria’s global education indices.

“The Honourable Minister of Education has called on all heads of tertiary institutions to treat this directive with the urgency and seriousness it demands, as it represents a critical step in collectively uplifting the integrity and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s education sector,” the statement said

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

Private Open University, Miva University, is set to increase its student population to 20,000 by December 2025, after an expected increase from 10,000 students by May 2025.

The institution is also on a bold mission to transform higher education in Nigeria and beyond, aiming for massive enrollment while maintaining quality through technology-driven solutions.

Chief Executive Officer of the institution, Sim Shagaya who stated this yesterday in Abuja during his 50th birthday celebration and colloquium, stressed his determination to offer the world top-notch university education by targeting the overall population of the university to rise to 10,000 by May 2025.

According to him, the university was watching global advancements in online technical education to implement them in Nigeria, adding that Miva aspires to be Africa’s first one-million-student university without compromising quality

Reflecting on his journey, he acknowledged that past experiences shaped his current vision for education through Miva University and ULesson.

Shagaya acknowledged the challenge of maintaining quality in a rapidly expanding online university and emphasized that Miva is not just a commercial venture but a mission-driven institution aiming for societal impact.

He reassured investors of responsible financial management and making affordable access was provided to subscribers, adding that the university is committed to keeping tuition fees affordable while ensuring high-quality education.

“And society is beginning to reward us. As you mentioned, we started out with 500 students in the first semester. By this time last year, I believe we’re sitting at, maybe 2,000, 3,000. So 500 to 2,000 to 8,000, and we’ll likely cross 10,000 at the end of May. And our plans are to hit 18,000, 20,000 by the end of this year, and 45,000 next year.

“And God willing, cross 100,000 sometime in 2027. And who knows where we go from there. One of our investors, the U.S. investor, that lady Emily, her partner told me, you know, you have the opportunity to build the first one million person university on the continent, if not in the world.

“One million people in a university. That is just going to come with incredible responsibility, because the risk is that you build a one million person university and quality falls, and efficacy falls, and you’re just printing diplomas and handing out to people. And that’s one thing that keeps me up at night today,” he said.

On his part, the Vice Chancellor of Miva University, Prof. Tayo Arulogun, noted the skills gap in the Nigerian school system as a major challenge in the country and explained how the University is addressing it through technology-driven, AI-inclusive, and accessible education.

Arulogun stated that the university adopts a blended learning approach as it combines online and hands-on training to enhance learning outcomes.

He disclosed that some of the courses offered in the institution are AI and Critical Thinking Courses, adding that every student must pass courses like Information Literacy and AI and Creative Thinking for graduates to develop problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

A novel, ‘Impunity’ which speaks to the realities of power, oppression, corruption and other social vices as well as the quest for justice has found its way into the Nigerian literary scene.

Author of the literary piece, Faith Ose Ebhodaghe said in the tradition of not writing in a vacuum, she has gathered subject matter and themes from the Nigerian socio-cultural, economic and political space to make her contributions in the fictional novel which is a searing and suspense-filled exploration of unchecked power, survival, and the search for justice.

Ebhodaghe who spoke yesterday in Abuja, said her storytelling ability was influenced by authors like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dan Brown and is hopeful that her work will reach the targeted audience and make societal corrections where applicable.

The novel which has sparked conversations about corruption, justice, and the price for ambition, with early readers calling it a brutally honest, thought-provoking read, has a setting in Port Harcourt and with a 14-year-old boy as protagonist. 

According to her, “It is set against the backdrop of contemporary Nigeria and features Aza Kio Briggs, a 14-year-old boy whose life is shaped by a system where power is wielded without consequence.

“The thrilling and emotionally charged tale follows the character of Aza over a four-decade timeline, delving into the depths of power, corruption, and resilience.

“The novel masterfully blends suspense, politics, and human drama that speaks to the realities of oppression and the fight for justice, thereby blending political intrigue and supernatural elements,” she said.

She further revealed that the work is now available on Amazon and Selar, and is set to challenge perceptions and ignite discussions about the realities of power in Nigeria and beyond.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

First Call Aid Charitable Foundation, a non-governmental organization committed to emergency healthcare intervention, has donated essential medical equipment worth saving lives in emergency situations to Idu Primary Health Center in Karimo, Abuja. 

Speaking at the event, chairperson of the foundation, Mrs. Khadijat Fashina, emphasized the emergency kits represent the foundation’s dedication to offering hope and relief during emergency, particularly for those facing financial challenges. 

She said: “The launch of these emergency kits reinforces our mission to make emergency services accessible and sustainable for all, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory.” 

She added that since its launch in November 2024, the foundation has focused on filling critical gaps in emergency healthcare, ensuring that no life is lost due to a lack of immediate medical intervention. 

In addressing the inability of pregnant women to provide basic needs, she disclosed that the foundation donated 30 delivery kits containing sanitary pads, macintosh sheets, cord clamps, cotton wools, mucus extractor, latex gloves, olive oil, and methylated spirit.

Additionally, it provided 100 chairs, a BP apparatus for vital sign checks, and a storage shelf for medical files. 

According to her: “We can’t always wait for the government to act. As individuals in a democratic society, we are also part of the government. Change starts with us,” she said, urging Nigerians to support humanitarian efforts.”

The officer in charge of the hospital, Mrs. Esther Odiba, while receiving the kits on behalf of the health centre, described the gesture as a much-needed intervention in the healthcare sector. 

According to Odiba, it is heartwarming to see individuals and organizations interested in the welfare of patients, especially those who cannot afford hospital bills. 

The health worker revealed that, prior to the donation, she had attempted to purchase supplies on her own as donation to indigent patients, but the high cost made it impossible. 

She stated that: “This marks the first time the health center has received such a significant donation. Previously, the only other support came from a military research team, which donated two iron chairs and two examination couches during a smallpox study. 

“Unlike that visit, the First Call Aid Foundation’s donation was purely an act of charity, with no strings attached” she added.

She also called on other well-meaning Nigerians to support similar initiatives, emphasizing the dire conditions in local communities.

The foundation was established in 2019, born out of a profound need to provide support for emergency situations in hospitals.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Presidential Enabling ������Ƶ Environment Council (PEBEC) is currently examining concerns surrounding the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).

It has also raised questions on the annual dues and fees imposed on Public Interest Entities (PIEs).

In a statement signed by the director- general of PEBEC, Zahrah Mistapha Audu, the FRCN has introduced new payment dates and penalties for non-compliance, which may affect various stakeholders.

To this regard, she stated that PEBEC will address the concerns surrounding the FRCN’s recent amendments, as it is holding a series of stakeholder engagements.

She said while hoping to find a meaningful solution for all parties, the sessions aim to foster open discussions and collaborative problem-solving among key stakeholders.

The statement reads in part: “Recent amendments to the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act have expanded the definition of Public Interest Entities (PIEs) to include various categories of private companies, concession entities, and privatized entities.

“These changes aim to enhance transparency and accountability in financial reporting and strengthen corporate governance in Nigeria.

“However, issues have arisen regarding the payment of annual dues and fees by PIEs. The FRCN has introduced new payment dates and penalties for non-compliance, which may affect various stakeholders.”

Furthermore, she called on all parties to remain assured that PEBEC will continue to emulate best practices that will ensure that Nigeria remains competitive and an attractive destination for businesses and investors.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has revealed it is introducing a special intervention to address the issue of incessant power failure in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

Chairman, Board of Trustees of TETFund, Hon. Aminu Masari, disclosed this on Wednesday while inaugurating the steering committee on Alternative Energy Solution Initiative in tertiary institutions.

Masari, a former governor of Katsina State, said the initiative was part of the Fund’s commitment to support government’s efforts to have a steady power supply to tertiary institutions across the country.

He stressed the importance of power supply, saying that it was critical to learning and research, which was lacking in most of tertiary institutions.

“We all know the combination of many factors to include the increase in tariff which has become unbearable to these institutions coupled with other issues,” he stated.

According to him, power demand, among other things, was critical to learning and research, preparing the way for the development of the students.

The committee, which has Hon. Sunday Adepoju, a member of TETFund BoT as chairman, was given an initial two months to summit the preliminary report. It will, however, be part of the implementation team.

It would be recalled that the federal government had plans to provide power supply to tertiary institutions through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

The REA aims to provide captive solar hybrid power plants to 15 federal tertiary institutions and two teaching hospitals. This initiative was part of the government’s efforts to increase electricity access to underserved Nigerians.

The lack of power supply has been a significant challenge for tertiary institutions in Nigeria, affecting the learning environment and academic activities.

The provision of a reliable power supply is expected to improve the quality of education and research in these institutions.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed that over 1.5 million candidates have successfully registered to participate in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

JAMB spokesman, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, in a statement yesterday, noted that the figure aligns closely with the board’s projections for the 2025 examination cycle.

He further restated that JAMB was not considering extension of deadline for the registration beyond the March 8, 2025, as being championed in some quarters.

“It is essential to note that the board’s calendar is fixed with numerous subsequent programmes scheduled after registration, including examinations, results management, and admissions exercise.

“The timelines are coordinated with other agencies whose operations rely on the completion of our processes. Therefore, extending the registration period would disrupt not only the board’s plans but also those of our partner

“This deadline has been clearly communicated in all advertisements and the official calendar for the 2025 UTME exercise. We wish to inform all prospective candidates that there will be no extension of the registration period.

“This notice is particularly important given the recent decline in the number of candidates registering for the examination. We urge candidates who wish to participate in the 2025 UTME to register promptly and avoid waiting till the last minute.”

He also encouraged candidates to complete their registration as soon as possible, adhering to the established timeline for the 2025 UTME.

Recall that the registration period for the 2025 UTME, began on February 3, will conclude on March 8, 2025.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, has promised to ensure that every Nigerian child has access to quality education in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

In her first quarterly meeting with Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), in Abuja, Ms. Garba said his agency will strive towards strengthening basic education by fostering effective collaboration at national and state levels.

According to her, there had been “poor coordination and weak partnership between critical stakeholders in the sector with inconsistent collaboration among UBEC, SUBEBs, and State Ministries of Education, resulting in inefficiencies, poor monitoring, and reduced impact of educational interventions.”

She emphasized that it was imperative to “address persistent challenges such as finances, infrastructure, quality education and relevant learning materials, shortage of teachers and conducive environment for teaching and learning” adding that the meeting provided “a unique opportunity to collectively evaluate our progress, identify challenges, and chart a new pathway towards achieving our shared goal of an efficient and effective basic education system in Nigeria.”

The UBEC boss recalled her earlier years as an international development education officer when she visited schools in remote villages all over the country, and stated that “the poor conditions in many of our schools required all stakeholders to be solution-oriented, action-driven, positive and committed to building a stronger, more efficient system for universal basic education in our country.”

Declaring the meeting open, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA), Dr. Ismaila Adiatu, assured the SUBEB chairmen of the federal government’s commitment to promoting quality education to inspire renewed hope, with strong emphasis on prioritizing quality basic education.

He emphasized that the development of the foundational level was essential for positive impact of the other tiers of the educational system which was why the Federal Ministry of Education was deeply committed to improving teacher quality, enhancing school environment, ensuring the availability of adequate instructional materials, and implementing an effective quality assurance evaluation system.

The meeting, with the theme “Strengthening Collaboration for Quality Basic Education Delivery”, which was held at the Digital Resource Centre of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Kado-Kuchi, Abuja was attended by the UBEC Executive Secretary, members of UBEC management, SUBEB chairmen from all 36 states of the Federation, FCT UBEB chairman and representatives of International Development Partners.

The meeting witnessed presentations from the UBEC Executive Secretary, sub-deans of SUBEBs and UBEC directors as well as group discussions and reflections across priority UBE pillars.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

To expand its global presence, the National Examinations Council (NECO) has accredited more schools to write the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in Equatorial Guinea.

The newly accredited schools, in addition to the existing ones, are in Bata, the largest city in Equatorial Guinea, thereby bringing the number to six countries including Benin Republic, Niger Republic, Cote’d Ivoire, Togo, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The spokesperson for NECO, Azeez Sani in a statement yesterday, said accreditation team visited the schools to assess their readiness to write the SSCE and BECE.

He said the team inspected classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer laboratories, workshops, examination halls, sport facilities and continuous assessment, as well as adequacy of teachers and school security to determine their suitability and readiness for the examinations

His words: “The National Examinations Council (NECO) has accredited more schools to write the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in Equatorial Guinea.

“After a thorough evaluation and comprehensive assessment, the schools were granted full SSCE and full BECE accreditation status.

“The accreditation of additional foreign schools is a testament to NECO’s commitment to providing quality education and assessment beyond the shores of Nigeria.”

The statement read: “With its expanding global presence, NECO is poised to become a leading examination body in Africa, offering opportunities for Nigeria students and other foreign nationals worldwide to benefit from its expertise, thus contributing to the advancement of education in Africa and beyond.”

•To begin 2024/2025 application cycle February 22

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) says it will close the 2023/2024 student loan application cycle on February 21, and will commence the 2024/2025 application cycle on February 22.

Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, who revealed this yesterday in Abuja during a press conference, said the transition to the 2024/2025 cycle was a demonstration of the organisation’s commitment to efficiency, transparency and continuous improvement of the scheme.

He reassured those who had successfully submitted their applications before the deadline that their applications would be processed, in line with the fund’s established guidelines.

He said so far, N22,736,960,971.58 has been disbursed to cover institutional fees across 150 institutions, directly benefiting 215,514 students in just 220 days and with an impressive 364,042 applications with an average of 1000 per day.

His words: “NELFUND remains dedicated to providing financial support to students, ensuring that no deserving individual is denied education due to financial constraints.

“In just 220 days, we have received an impressive 364,042 applications with an average of 1,000 applications per day.

“I am proud to announce that N22,736,960,971.58 has been disbursed to cover institutional fees across 150 institutions, directly benefiting 215,514 students.

“Furthermore, a total of N12,818,960,000 has been disbursed as upkeep support, reaching 169,114 students, each receiving N20,000 monthly to assist with their living expenses.

“Our team remains committed to ensuring a fair and timely review of all pending applications.

“This transition is a necessary step to streamline our operations, align with the academic calendar and enhance our ability to process applications efficiently.”

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The federal government is set to empower 10 million women economically by 2027 towards ensuring that they play a vital role in Nigeria’s economic transformation.

This will align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy, where women have been earmarked to be key contributors to national productivity.

Revealing this yesterday in Abuja in celebration of her 100 days in office, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim said through financial literacy, business development, and cooperative structures, women can be equipped with the tools they need to build sustainable enterprises and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.

She said in addition to financial empowerment, “We have launched a food intervention program for women and vulnerable groups after recognizing the economic hardships that many families are facing.”

While reiterating that economic empowerment remains one of the most effective ways to uplift women and dismantle systemic barriers that limit their potential, the minister added that the MOWA-SARA Accelerated Skills Acquisition Programme which has been designated for women empowerment, in collaboration with WEMA Bank, will train 500,000 women in key areas, including vocational skills, business entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion.

Her words” “At the core of our efforts is a bold and ambitious vision – to empower 10 million women economically by 2027, ensuring they play a vital role in Nigeria’s economic transformation. This aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy, where women are key contributors to national productivity.

“We have already taken decisive steps toward achieving this, with the commencement of implementation of the World Bank-supported Nigeria for Women Scale-Up Project, which targets 4.5 million women across all 36 states and the FCT.

“The first phase of the program is currently underway in Kano State, with 2,500 women being trained at the Ministry of Women Affairs Centre in Dederi and the Kano Hospitality & Tourism Institute in Gyadi-Gyadi.

“In addition to financial empowerment, we have launched a food intervention program for women and vulnerable groups, recognizing the economic hardships that many families are facing.”

The minister said as part of the ministry’s commitment to ending period poverty, it is also launching a nationwide campaign to provide menstrual hygiene kits to 10,000 young girls towards ensuring they stay in school and maintain their dignity.

On Ending Gender-Based Violence and Strengthening Global Partnerships, she stated that Nigeria remains committed to ending violence against women and children.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The federal government has decried the 32 percent rise in the rate of malnutrition in children under five across the country.

This was as it further disclosed that child labour remains rampant, with millions of children engaged in hazardous work across various sectors, thereby depriving them of a safe and secure childhood.

Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman- Ibrahim, who stated this in United Kingdom at the launch of the community children’s fund event with the theme, “Advancing Africa’s Agenda for Children 2040: Protecting Street[1]Connected Children in West Africa”, said the statistics were not too different in other African countries, and highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive intervention towards the protection Nigeria’s children.

The minister stated that this neglect was compounded by the erosion of family cohesion, economic pressures, forced migration, and cultural shifts that have strained familial bonds that once provided safety nets for children.

She said the launch of the fund provides a platform to address not only the vulnerabilities faced by children across Africa but also the immense potential they hold.

 “Malnutrition is a major concern, contributing to 32 percent of deaths among children under five.

“They are exposed to hazardous living conditions and child labour in rural farms or urban marketplaces, and they continue to bear the brunt of societal inequities.

“These children are robbed of their childhoods, often forced to navigate a world that treats them as invisible, with their rights and potential left unrealised.”

She added that it was enshrined in Africa’s agenda for children in the year 2040, that all must commit and reignite the determination to build a future where every African child thrives and collectively declare that neglect, abuse, and systemic failures have no place in our societies.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Southern Kaduna Journalists’ Forum (SKJF) has lauded President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of a Federal University of Applied Sciences and a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Southern Kaduna.

In a statement issued yesterday, SKJF chairman Ango Bally praised the collaborative efforts of Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, senator representing Kaduna South, Sunday Marshall Katung, and member representing Zango Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency, Amos Magaji.

The forum credited their legislative and administrative synergy for securing the approval of the two landmark projects.

“The Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, sponsored by Senator Katung, and the Federal Medical Centre, initiated by Hon. Magaji, represent transformative milestones for the socio-economic and educational development of Southern Kaduna,” Bally said.

The university, which will include an additional campus in Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area, is expected to provide quality education, technical expertise, and foster innovation in the region.

Bally described it as a beacon of hope for a region historically marginalized and underdeveloped, noting that it aligns with the federal government’s inclusivity agenda.

“The establishment of the Federal Medical Centre, will significantly enhance healthcare delivery in Southern Kaduna and surrounding areas,” Bally added.

The SKJF applauded the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Tinubu and expressed gratitude to Vice President Kashim Shettima, who announced the presidential assent during a condolence visit to Southern Kaduna on December 28, 2024.

Shettima assured the region of continued federal collaboration with the state government to improve road infrastructure and other developmental projects.

The forum emphasized the importance of unity among political leaders, commending Governor Sani, Senator Katung, and Hon. Magaji for prioritizing the interests of the people over partisan differences.

“As custodians of information and public opinion, we pledge to support initiatives that promote peace, unity, and development in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State, and Nigeria at large,” the SKJF statement said.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The controversy surrounding the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor for the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) escalated on Tuesday as external members of the Governing Council boycotted a scheduled meeting convened by the Council Chairman, Air Vice Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (retd).

Kaita, rumored to have a preferred candidate for the position, reportedly called for the council meeting late Monday night, with plans to appoint a Vice-Chancellor by 3:00 PM on Tuesday.

However, a reliable source within the university disclosed that external council members were not presented with an agenda ahead of the meeting, raising concerns about transparency and due process.

The source, who requested anonymity, emphasized that the law governing the appointment of Vice-Chancellors clearly outlines the composition of the selection committee.

According to him, “The law states that unless the Chairman, two Council members (not members of Senate), and two Senate representatives (not members of Council) are present, any interview conducted for VC selection is null and void. There is no provision for a partial quorum or absence of key members.”

The external council members who boycotted the meeting include: Prof. Raphael Akinfeleye (South-West Representative); Mrs. Chisom Dorcas Obih (South-East Representative); Alhaji Sabo Bappayo Ahmed (North-East Representative).

Earlier on Monday, a group of 67 professors submitted a protest letter to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, calling for the dissolution of the governing council and a fresh start to the selection process.

The professors accused the chairman of rejecting over 87 applications (27 internal and 60 external), inviting only three candidates, and allegedly favoring the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, despite claims that she lacks the required qualifications.

The petitioners further alleged: Internal council members were handpicked by the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, during an ASUU strike.

The council included unqualified members, such as a businesswoman and a representative from the Federal Ministry of Education, who lacked the expertise required for such roles.

Key criteria for the VC position, such as a minimum of ten years of professorial experience, were allegedly disregarded in the August 2024 advertisement.

They argued that Prof. Maikudi, with only two years of professorial experience, lacks both academic visibility and strong scholarly credentials to hold the office.

In their petition, the professors demanded the nullification of all actions taken by the current Governing Council and called on the education minister to: Dissolve the Governing Council, constitute a new council to oversee a transparent selection process, Ensure adherence to due process and merit-based selection.

The petition warned: “Failure to address these concerns will have far-reaching consequences for the university and Nigeria’s higher education system, as other governing councils might adopt similar flawed processes.”

The situation at UniAbuja underscores the growing tension over leadership succession in Nigerian public universities, with stakeholders urging transparency, fairness, and strict adherence to established procedures.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

Protest erupted in the University of Abuja over the choice of a substantive vice-chancellor as professors threw all care to the wind and called out the process in the school premises, claiming it lacked merit and was devoid of due process.

This comes as more than 80 scholars from within and outside Nigeria have applied to become the next substantive vice-chancellor of the university.

It is on record that a disturbing incident occurred during the protest as the crew of Channels Television, were brutally manhandled by security operatives.

The situation escalated further, with the crew’s vehicle vandalized, causing significant damage.

Not done yet, the security operatives detained the crew for over an hour.

Allegations are swirling that the retired Air Vice-Marshall Sadiq Kaita-led governing council, in cahoots with certain staff members, tried to install the Acting VC, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, as the substantive vice-chancellor, despite claims she did not meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the job advertisement.

This move has raised eyebrows, sparking concerns about the fairness and transparency of the selection process.

Investigations showed that a crisis in the senate meeting was convened on Christmas Eve at 9 am, as the governing council sought to oust senate members who allegedly refused to back the appointment of Maikudi, sparking tensions within the university community.

University officials familiar with the matter revealed that a heated session recently took place at the governing council meeting, sparked by allegations that Kaita was attempting to impose the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aisha Maikudi, as the substantive vice-chancellor who was unqualified to apply in the first instance.

The rapid rise of the 41-year-old acting vice-chancellor to prominence in the academic world has raised eyebrows in some quarters.

Allegations suggest she was fast-tracked into her role as a Professor of International Law under questionable circumstances, becoming a professor in 2022 and promptly appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC).

Her swift ascension is reportedly linked to her father’s influence, a notable figure from Katsina State, Alhaji Sani Maikudi, with the chairman of the governing council coming from the same state.

This development has sparked questions about the selection process and potential favouritism and nepotism.

Also fingered in the succession crisis is the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdulrasheeed Na’Allah, who allegedly paved the way for Professor Maikudi to become the acting VC as a form of gratitude.

This favour was reportedly in return for the support of Aisha’s father, Alhaji Sani Maikudi, who was the former council chairman.

Na’Allah supposedly benefited from Maikudi’s rule-bending five years prior, which enabled his own ascension to the V-C position.

This development has sparked controversy, with many accusing the governing council of bias and manipulation in the appointment process.

It has also created unrest among university officials and staff, who are concerned about the implications of the allegations on the image of the institution.

The controversy surrounding her appointment has also led to debates about meritocracy and fairness in academic promotions.

But speaking with reporters on Tuesday, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Abubakar Umarkari, said 70 percent of Vice-Chancellors assumed office with less than 10 years of professorial experience.

He cited the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and Federal University of Technology, Minna with zero professorial experience to buttress his argument.

The Don assured that the selection process would be transparent.

His words: “The appointment of the VCs of every Nigerian university is determined by two documents: the act of the specific university and the University’s Miscellaneous Act.

“And the Act of specific universities vary a little. But I can tell you in none of them it is stated that you have to be a professor of 10 years before you become VC.

“As a matter of fact, if you do an analysis of all the VCs of federal and state universities, I can tell you that 70 percent of them, you can mark that whatever, became V-Cs at less than 10 years as professors.”

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The federal government in a coordinated multi-agency effort, has successfully facilitated the return of 403 Nigerian migrants who had been stranded in the Niger Republic.

The humanitarian return was jointly organized by the Nigerian Mission in Niamey and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

In a statement released by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally displaced Persons, this marks the second batch of voluntary returns from Niger Republic within one week, following the arrival of 310 returnees on Tuesday, 17th December 2024.  

It stated that speaking on behalf of the Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Aliyu Tijani Ahmed, the Kano State Coordinator of the Commission, Mrs. Lubah Liman, emphasized the government’s commitment to reintegrating the returnees into various government programs under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

She also commended the seamless collaboration among the participating agencies, which ensured the success of the operation.  

It read in part: “Mrs. Liman reported that the returnees comprised 165 males, 56 females, 182 children and infants.  

“Officers from NCFRMI and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) profiled the returnees upon arrival, while representatives from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Department of State Security (DSS), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Kano State Emergency Management Agency were on hand to provide additional support and assistance”.  

The reception exercise was conducted at the Nigerian Immigration Service Training School in Kano and was coordinated by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Managing Director of Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, has revealed that as of today, the fund has disbursed a total of N110 billion to students in public institutions across the country.

Sawyerr who disclosed this yesterday while speaking to journalists during an inauguration and induction of members of NELFUND Servicom in Abuja, said the figure keeps changing as they make disbursement frequently.

He explained that they have a two-pronged process and that before anyone can apply for a loan, they have to register. “We have about 417,000 students who have registered on our portal with the details we have, and about 328,000 students who have actually applied.”

“We’ve just approved a new batch, N110 billion, that is going to students in one form or another. About 60 per cent of that is going directly to their institution in full, because we pay 100 per cent of fees. 40 per cent has been disbursed in terms of their actual upkeep. The upkeep figure is slightly behind the total fee,” he said.

He said: “We estimate that amongst the constituency that we’re responsible for – people in tertiary institutions that are government owned – which are defined as universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, and the raft of students that are going to be coming in for the next session, we estimate that our commitment to date is to people somewhere in the region of N2.1 million.

“It’s an estimate, and it gets bigger than that when we start our skills programme, because there we have a lot more.

“Some of them have been processed, many of them have been looked at and most of them will get the loan. But it’s important to also mention that we are growing by about 1,000 applications a day. At the height of it, we had 9,000 applications in one day.”

“I should also mention at this stage that those who register may choose not to go ahead and apply, or may want to get more information, but at least they’re captured in the system. They know they’re in the system.

“So, that’s why you have this gap between 417,000 registrants and 328,000 applicants. We often find that the number of applicants is ahead of the number of registrants, which means that people are suddenly deciding or making up their minds to then apply after they’ve registered.”

 Speaking on the repayment plan, he said the repayment terms are very interesting and probably the best repayment terms to get on a loan anywhere, let alone in Nigeria.

“So, students who apply for this loan today get an interest-free loan. What they apply for and are given or benefit from is exactly what they will pay back. It’s interesting because they don’t pay it back immediately. What happens is that two years after National Youth Service is complete, they are then obliged to report to us their status in terms of employment,” he said.

In her remarks, the National Coordinator for SEVICOM, Nnenna Akajemeli said setting up a SEVICOM unit for NELFUND is to help the inductees to run the government business as they stand as the customer service arm of running business.

She said the inauguration of SEVICOM in NELFUND speaks volumes as to what they are prepared to do in terms of service delivery and provisions to all the citizens and stakeholders.

“As they said, they are positioning the office further to ensure that all government has set them up to do as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, that they do it to the letter, to touch the lives of students, especially those who do not have access to funds for their higher education, increasing access to funds and education funds in higher institutions,” she said.

She said they are mandated to reach out to indigent students, Nigerians who are brilliant, who are ready to go to school but do not have access to funds.

“They have to manage this process and ensure that they bring about quality graduates, even from the work that they do in this office.

*As FG invests 5b for 2024 research

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The federal government has said the reason behind its approval of the maiden TETFund national research fair/exhibition lies in its potency to creating jobs, generate wealth and the ultimate to strengthen the economy.
The fair will be sustained as an annual national effort that will be used in sensitising Nigerians, particularly the youths and will take advantage of the outcomes to participate in economic development.
This comes on the heels of its approval of the sum of N5 billion for investment in research activities for 2024 through TETFund’s National Research Fund which is aimed at addressing national developmental challenges through targeted research efforts in public tertiary institutions.
Stating this yesterday as he declared the week-long event open in Abuja, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa said it is the recognition of the important stakes that has led to the deliberate support of the TETFund National Research Fair which has specific reference to the role of universities, polytechnics, colleges of education as well as creativities & innovations from individuals and communities.
Revealing that the fair will be sustained as an annual national effort that will be used in sensitising Nigerians, particularly youths, Alausa hinted that it will take advantage of the outcomes to participate in economic development.
He said it is researches and innovation systems such as this that help in the categorization of countries into the first, second and third world countries specifications while research and innovation system is the cardinal factor in determining the quality of life of a people and the overall status of their nation.
According to him, “The Research Fair is specially aligned to Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda on domesticating the local research results for the composite objective of creating jobs, generation of wealth and the ultimate strengthening of the economy.
“This Research Fair will focus on fostering synergy among research and technology agencies to accelerate the deployment of their efforts for nation-building.”

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echonu in his speech, said TETFund has institutionalised a process on its research support mandate by establishing a National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC) composed of distinguished and senior scholars to basically screen all Research and Development Concept Notes & Proposals submitted to the fund.

He said other areas of note include to recommend those to be supported, monitor the implementation of the research projects and provide comprehensive reports to TETFund on their outcomes/impacts.

He added that the fund has also up scaled its efforts at supporting other critical research and development initiatives aimed at facilitating the uptake of various research output for the benefit of society.

According to him, “These initiatives include the Research for Impact (R4i) Programme, the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR) and the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (i-FAIR) programme with the ultimate objective to translate research from Nigerian Tertiary institutions to innovations, inventions and solutions for practical application and commercialization.”

*As TETFund records N1.5trn education tax collection for 2024

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called for the utilisation of the backlog of unspent funds allocated to tertiary education.

This is as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced a record-breaking N1.5trillion education tax collection for 2024.
It attributed the increase to the upward review in education tax from 2.5 percent to 3 percent.

ASUU warned that the continued stagnation of these resources could hinder the growth and development of the sector.
This comes as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) engaged stakeholders in a one-day strategic interaction with heads of beneficiary institutions on Monday in Abuja.

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, said the strategic engagement marked a new chapter for the board, where it aligns efforts with stakeholders to optimise performance and enhance the quality of Nigeria’s tertiary education.

He said that with the recent increase in education tax from 2.5% to 3%, TETFund is poised for even greater impact, improving infrastructure, academic programs, and accessibility for all students.

He added: “As heads of TETFund beneficiary institutions, you play a pivotal role in actualizing the mandate of the Fund. It is crucial that we engage constructively to set a clear course for the Fund’s direction and operational priorities,” he said.

“TETFund’s purpose is to empower our nation’s human capital, addressing the urgent need for capable, skilled professionals across all sectors.

“We urge all stakeholders to actively engage in building these partnerships. Let us explore innovative ways to connect our institutions with industry leaders, fostering a symbiotic relationship that benefits both our students and the economy.”

On his part, the President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said university leaders must fight for themselves and not rely on others to negotiate their future.

He warned that the proposed tax changes to TETFund could drastically affect Nigerian universities’ funding, emphasizing the need to ensure these bills don’t pass if we truly care about our education system.

According to him, tax reductions may seem beneficial to industries, but they risk crippling higher education funding.

“I want to say that we have a lot of problems. If we don’t work hard, we cannot be sitting here in the next six years. Nobody will be here in the next six years,” he said.

Osodeke further said: “Whether we will be here or not in the next six years will depend on the National Assembly. I am so happy the Senate and the House of Representatives are here. The information available to us as a union is that there are two sets of bills in the National Assembly.

“One from the executive and one from the legislature, all concerning TETFund. TETFund is just there. And the one from the executive arm of government indicates a page. Out of 260 tax reviews, it is just a page in it. And I am very sure the president will not have the details to look at that when he is reading.

“And what is there? That by the year 2025, they will increase the percentage of tax paid by industries to 4%. TETFund will receive 50% of it. By 2027, TETFund will be reduced to 3% from 4%.

“It should not be given to a bank to lend out as loans. When I look at this so-called NELFund as a bank, the money will not be given to a bank to lend to students. That bill is there.

“And all of us, if we still care about Nigerian universities, we must make sure that this bill does not pass. But once it goes through, Nigerian universities will stop. So, when you hear our team talking, this is what we are talking about.”

He added: “We found that there is a lot of money stuck in central banks. Over the past 20 years, many universities have not been able to utilize it. Let’s talk to ourselves.

“You cannot utilize it. In 2021, when we negotiated with the government towards the end, this money, in the assessment, seems as if we don’t have the capacity to use it. So, what am I saying? This means it is building up. If it comes up and we are invited, we will support it.

“But if you have an investment with this backlog – something you cannot use you should not have access to the next one. Because we will learn how to use it when people fall for it. So that bill is also there, and it will make it impossible for you to use it. You can’t account for the past. You cannot use it.”

On his part, chairman of the Board of Trustees of TETFund, Hon. Aminu Bello Masani, called for the removal of politics from the education sector if the nation’s tertiary institutions are to experience any real development.

He urged universities to start devising means of creating their own funds rather than depending solely on the government.

“Let me start by commending ASUU for creating this intervention agency 21 years ago. And the fund has kept faith with the low establishment rate in our higher institutions.

“That’s why we have some of the best institutions in the country. After 21 years, some institutions, with no apologies, and some people outside, see that the fund is not just an intervention agency, but an agency that must shield its own responsibilities in education, which I believe is right.

“I think it is high time we start to think, especially you, about how to fund education in a sustainable way. We see intervention.
“Believe me, after 2 or 3 months, I, as chairman, receive requests from institutions, especially those that know me or know someone who knows me,” he said.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has warned school owners and other relevant stakeholders to desist from enrolling candidates for its examinations by proxy.

Also, the NECO e-Verify, an online platform for confirmation/verification of NECO results, was unveiled last year and the Council has called on members of the public to note that any certificate purported to have been issued by the Council, and which cannot be verified or authenticated using the NECO e-Verify platform, is fake.

In a statement released by the Council yesterday by its acting Director of Information and Public Affairs, Azeez Sabi,  the Council said it had observed the fraudulent practices that such registration encourages and which had led to the incessant false identity and parading of false results.

He said in its determined efforts to eradicate all forms of examination malpractice, the Council has gone ahead to put in place some measures to check impersonation in all its examinations.

The statement read in part: “The Council observed that such fraudulent practice often result in identity theft and subsequent parade of fake results.

“Determined to eradicate all forms of examination malpractice, the Council has put in place some measures to check impersonation in all its examinations.

“Some of the measures include the use of Biometric Data Capturing Device, use of customized answer booklets and embossing of photograph and date of birth of candidates on the original certificates.

“The Council, therefore, calls on state Ministries of Education and other school owners to ensure that only personal details of genuine candidates are used for registration in all NECO-conducted examinations.”

Meanwhile, candidates that were found culpable of impersonation in the just released 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal had their results withheld.

The statement noted that the measure is part of the Council’s robust policy to check all forms of examination malpractice.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, Sonny Echono, has sought for greater collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces in the forthcoming National Research Fair.

He made this request when the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, visited TETFUND headquarters in Abuja.

Echono expressed profound gratitude and appreciation to the armed forces for their sacrifices in keeping the country safe and acknowledged the military’s contributions to technological advancements and the use of GPS and drones which he said has huge significant societal impact.
The TETFund boss reiterated that the fair is aimed at translating research findings into practical goods and services, with experts from Israel, the European Union, and Brazil providing guidance.

“We also know that the military has a very strong research component, so we see this opportunity again to renew our invitation to the military to participate at the fair. Participations for all Nigerians, including our schools and the military, will come at no cost to the participants.
“So, we look forward to that collaboration your institutions also we had, as I told you when I came to your office, we stand ready to support the very we’re already doing some partnerships,” he said.

The CDS acknowledged that non-kinetic methods, including education, play a significant role in solving the country’s problems, providing around 75% of the solution.

He stated that efforts are ongoing to ensure security for schools and the commitment to restoring peace and security in Nigeria.

General Musa commended the efforts and offers continued support, emphasizing their readiness to assist in whenever needed.

He expressed gratitude for the leadership and acknowledges the progress made, emphasizing that while they are not at their desired goal, they are moving in the right direction.

The noted the importance of technological interventions in education, noting that they have benefited significantly from these innovations.
He assured that the military are always available for any support required, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collaboration.
General Musa said: “The country is going through so many challenges, and we know what education will do. With education people cannot be enslaved.

“There will be awareness and enlightenment. Some of the challenges we have with insecurity are caused by illiteracy. People being manipulated by some individuals, and because they don’t have a good understanding.