Funmi Ogundare

The University of Ibadan (UI) yesterday called on student union leaders to embrace ethical conduct, accountability, competence and resilience in the discharge of their responsibilities, stressing that effective leadership goes beyond occupying a position.

The Director, Career Development and Counselling Centre (CDCC), University of Ibadan, Prof. Adebayo Oluwole, made this call at a training programme for student union leaders with the theme: ‘Ethical and Responsible Student Leadership: Building Competence, Resilience and Positive Impact’.

He said student leadership is both a responsibility and an opportunity to create positive change, noting that student leaders were expected to represent their colleagues, articulate their concerns, engage university authorities, resolve disagreements and contribute to the development of the university community.

He noted that the quality of student leadership could influence student life, campus relationships and the reputation of the university.

According to him, “Leadership cannot be sustained by position alone, as a title may give you authority, but character, competence and credibility give you influence.”

He explained that the training was deliberately structured to expose student leaders to various dimensions of effective leadership, including responsible governance, collaboration, conflict management, drug abuse prevention and people skills.

The first session, ‘Drug Abuse and Addiction: Early Signs of Abuse, Consequences and the Way Out’, was delivered by Mercy Godwin, representing the Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State Command.

Oluwole said the session was particularly relevant because student leaders were expected to serve as role models and positive influences among their peers.

Another session titled:  ‘Ethical Leadership, Accountability and Stewardship in Student Governance’ was handled by the Deputy Bursar (Grants), University of Ibadan, Mr. Olagoke Akanwo.

The programme also featured a session on ‘Leadership Service through Collaboration and Teamwork among Students’, facilitated by the Director, Youth Friendly Centre,  Dr. Adebunmi Oyekola.

The director said the session underscored the importance of teamwork, stressing that no leader can succeed alone.

A session on ‘Understanding Personality Types for Effective Conflict Management ‘ was delivered by Dr. Adeleye of the Department of Counselling and Human Development Studies.

According to Oluwole, understanding personality differences was essential for student leaders because they interacted with individuals with different temperaments, expectations, communication styles, and approaches to disagreements.

The final session, ‘People Skills for Student Leaders: Empathy, Altruism and Positive Campus Relationships’,  was facilitated by Dr Ola John Oluremi of Micomglobe Limited, Lagos.

Oluwole said the session reinforced the importance of empathy and positive relationships, noting that leadership was ultimately about people.

He stated that: “The CDCC remains committed to supporting the development of students with the knowledge, skills and values required to provide responsible leadership within and beyond the university community.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, urged the student union leaders to lead with empathy, integrity, competence, and courage, stressing that effective leadership depends on the ability to understand people, communicate effectively, and treat others with dignity.

Adebowale, who declared the training open, noted that it was designed to equip student leaders with skills and values needed to provide responsible leadership.

He said leaders might have good policies, programmes, manifestoes and speeches, but their leadership would remain limited if they could not understand the people they led, communicate with them, and empathise with their experiences.

He said: “Empathy is not weakness. Altruism is not foolishness. Respect is not surrender. These are qualities that enable leaders to build trust and create healthier relationships.”

The VC urged the student leaders to approach the training with an open mind and actively participate by asking questions, challenging their assumptions, and learning from both the facilitators and one another.

He further charged them to translate the knowledge acquired during the programme into their conduct, saying leadership training would only be meaningful if it influences their actions.

According to him, “Preparing students for the future goes beyond academic qualifications, as the workplace and society require graduates who can communicate, collaborate, manage conflicts, demonstrate emotional intelligence, make ethical decisions, solve problems and lead responsibly.”

He said the university’s responsibility extended beyond helping students build careers to developing their character, competence, resilience and ability to build meaningful relationships.

The VC expressed appreciation to the student leaders.

Addressing the student leaders, Adebowale urged them to focus on the legacy they would leave behind after their tenure, adding: “Your tenure will end, but your legacy will remain.”

He advised the leaders not to measure their success only by what they achieved while in office, but also by the people they empowered, relationships they built, values they demonstrated, and the positive culture they left behind.

Adebowale urged them to “lead with integrity, lead with competence, lead with empathy, lead with courage, lead collaboratively,” adding that, above all, they should lead in the spirit of service.

Lyric soprano and creative artist Funmi Bucknor, has unveiled plans to stage an African opera next year after captivating audiences with her annual concert, Global Melodies, while securing a proposed Nigeria-Brazil cultural collaboration from the Brazilian Consulate in Lagos.
The concert, held at the Alliance Française, Mike Adenuga Centre, Lagos, blended opera, classical music, jazz and indigenous Nigerian songs, with performances in German, Italian and Czech alongside Yoruba renditions.
Speaking after the concert, Bucknor said the journey began with her debut concert in 2012 after years of musical training and choir experience.
She explained that launching her own concert became inevitable after years of preparation.
“I started because it was just the right time for me. Having gone through several trainings and having been a member of different choirs, I thought it was time for me to do my own concert,” she said.
Bucknor, who combines music with painting, writing and a career in human resources consulting, admitted that balancing multiple talents was challenging.
“To be honest, I don’t know how I’m able to marry everything, but somehow I am doing it. Sometimes I set others aside and give focus to one thing, but sometimes I’m able to juggle three at the same time,” she said.
She encouraged other multi-talented professionals not to suppress their gifts.
“I don’t even think it’s just a few people that are multi-talented. The way God has created us is that we are not one thing; we are several things at the same time,” she said.
For next year, Bucknor revealed plans to expand beyond concerts.
“I’m going to do music, but I’m also going to do a stage play. I’m writing a stage play which I hope to bring to life next year, and I also hope that eventually that stage play is turned into an African opera,” she said.
One of the evening’s highlights came when Brazil’s Consul General in Lagos, Ronaldo Vieira, mounted the stage and proposed that Bucknor includes Afro-Brazilian Yoruba music in the next edition of Global Melodies.
“This is Global Melodies, but I didn’t hear Brazil on the programme. So perhaps next year, we should travel to Brazil,” Vieira said, drawing applause from the audience.
Vieira later explained that Brazil’s historical ties with Yoruba culture inspired the proposal.
“I think one of the few countries outside Nigeria that speaks Yoruba is Brazil. We have songs in Yoruba in Brazil, and I didn’t see these songs. That’s why I came on stage to appeal to Funmi Bucknor to collaborate with us next year,” he said.
He disclosed that songs written in Yoruba and Portuguese by Black Brazilians had been discovered in the basement of a church in Brazil.
“I’d like to make a proposal. Why don’t we collaborate with Brazilian musicians and researchers? Then next year we can bring some of this beautiful Afro-Brazilian music to Lagos and share it with everyone,” he added.
Bucknor accepted the proposal, saying, “Absolutely! Thank you very much, Mr Ronaldo.”
Reflecting on the concert, Vieira described it as an emotional reunion.
“I don’t have words to describe it, really, because it’s about emotions and also about the intimate feelings that anyone can get from music. I know Funmi from before, and for me it was a re-encounter. Only joy—that’s the word I can use,” he said.
He advised emerging talents to remain persistent despite challenges.
Bucknor’s musical journey began at six when her father, a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, taught her to play the piano.
During the concert, she paused to acknowledge her parents, saying that they were “the people God used to give us the gift that is Funmi Bucknor.”
She later received formal vocal training at the Trinity College of Music, London, under the mentorship of her late spiritual father, Pastor Eskor Mfon.
Advising young women, she urged them “to continue so that they will grow and do whatever they want to do with their career.”
Bucknor’s uncle, Prof. Abayomi Durosimi-Etti, Consultant Oncologist at the Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre, described the concert as a model Nigeria needed more of.
“This has been a wonderful concert. It’s been very lively, not too long, very exciting. We need more of this type of concert in Nigeria,” he said.
He urged gifted professionals to showcase their abilities.
“If you have a golden drum but don’t beat it, nobody’s going to hear the sound. Come out and let the world know what talent you have,” he said.
An emotional moment came when Mrs. Josephine Omofon, wife of Bucknor’s late mentor, Pastor Eskor Mfon, reflected on the singer’s journey.
“Funmi is my little girl. She has a wonderful voice. My nickname for her is ‘Olóhùn Iyọ’ (salt voice),” she said.
She encouraged young singers to trust God and develop their gifts patiently.
“They should put their hope in God and work on their talent. They start small, and the Lord will take them higher. Fumi has worked very hard, and we’re beginning to see the dividend,” she said.
Throughout the evening, Bucknor introduced operatic classics including Richard Strauss’ The Night, Giacomo Puccini’s Tu che di gel sei cinta from Turandot, and Charles Gounod’s Faust, before closing with indigenous and gospel performances that earned standing ovations from the audience.

The Choose Milk Campaign, a national initiative focused on strengthening consumer education and awareness about milk and dairy products, has announced an essay competition for primary school pupils across Enugu, Kaduna, Lagos, Rivers, Oyo and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This maiden edition is open to pupils in primary 4 to 6, aged 9 to 11, and will run from September 15 to October 31. The initiative aims to educate children on the importance of understanding milk and making informed dairy choices, while encouraging them to share their knowledge with peers and family.
Senior Project Manager, Danish Dairy Board, Lars Jensen, who announced the competition, said the initiative aims to help children and parents better understand the difference between milk and creamers and the role of milk in children’s nutrition.
“Children are not only consumers; they are also important voices within the home and can influence the choices their families make. Through this competition, we want to equip pupils with simple, practical knowledge that helps them understand the difference between milk and creamers and appreciate the nutritional value of milk. When children learn to make informed choices early, they can carry that knowledge into their homes and communities,” Jensen said.
To participate, interested pupils must write a short letter addressed to their school’s headmaster or headmistress on the topic, ‘How Students in My School Can Differentiate Between Milk and Creamers’. The letter should include the pupil’s name, gender, age, class, school name and school location. They are expected to visit https://choosemilk.com.ng/essaycompetition/ to submit entries.
According to the organisers, the competition will be extended to additional states as the three-year Choose Milk Campaign progresses. It is part of the broader Choose Milk Campaign, launched by stakeholders from the Danish Dairy Board and the European Union, in partnership with the federal government to help Nigerian households make informed dairy choices through consumer education and greater awareness of the nutritional benefits of milk and the differences between authentic milk and creamers.

Since 1981, the Finlab Group has been a leading supplier of educational, scientific, and laboratory equipment, serving secondary schools, universities, hospitals, and research centres across Nigeria and Africa. The Managing Director, Uzo Nwaije, says it aligns with the organisation’s vision of boosting science and technology and empowering the next generation through access to quality learning tools and laboratory equipment, contributing directly to economicdevelopment. Uchechukwu Nnaike reports

As an engineer and Managing Director of Finlab Group, Uzo Nwaije is innovative and technology-driven, with a knack for quality science educationand research. He has spent over four decades delivering laboratory solutions, infrastructure and technology across Nigeria and several African countries. Under his leadership, Finlab has grown from a respected manufacturer of laboratory furniture and equipment into a diversified group with interests in turnkey laboratory construction, engineering services, agricultural technology and international investment.

With over 200 employees across six locations in Nigeria, he said that the group combines manufacturing, engineering, technology and human capital development to deliver end-to-end solutions. He believes Nigeria has all the requirements to build a strong economy: the population, the resources, the talent, and hardworking, entrepreneurial people. Therefore, the country needs to shift from being largely a consuming economy to a productive one.

“We import too many things that we should be producing ourselves,” he said.

Nwaije believes educationandskills development are major contributors to economic growth, saying that if Nigeria’s youthful population is properly trained in engineering, technology, manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and other technical areas, it will become an economic asset. He said the science and technology sector also plays a huge role in growing the economy, adding that quality educationandskills acquisition depend largely on the availability of modern equipment in schools for impactful teaching andlearning.

Reacting to the severe shortage of science laboratories, relative to the number of secondary schools in Nigeria, Nwaije said, “This is an area I am very passionate about because science and technology have been at the centre of what we do at Finlab for many years. You cannot teach a child chemistry, physics or biology only from a textbook and expect that child to become a great scientist or innovator. Our schools need proper laboratories. The laboratories need the right equipment, and the teachers need to know how to use them.

“The same thing applies to our universities and research institutions. We have very intelligent researchers in Nigeria, but they need the infrastructure and funding to turn their ideas into solutions.”

He called for stronger collaboration among universities, government, and the private sector, saying research should not end as a paper sitting on a shelf.

“We should be asking: Can this research solve a problem? Can we develop a product from it? Can we manufacture it? Can we commercialise it? That is where science begins to contribute directly to economicdevelopment,” Nwaije said.

He lauded the steps the World Bank has taken over the years to advance educationandskills in Nigeria through its Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS), Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learningand Empowerment (AGILE), and other initiatives.

On the company’s part, he said for over four decades, Finlab has been dedicated to scientific excellence, adding that the group has equipped science laboratories in many higher institutions and secondary schools, helping to improve Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learningand prepare the next generation of African scientists.

He said a notable project is the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control (ILFRC) Laboratory, at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State, delivered in partnership with international stakeholders.

“We listen, adapt and deliver tailored solutions that match each institution’s unique needs and budget,” he said.

In addition to providing world-class laboratory and educational equipment, he said that the company also trains lab technicians, researchers, educators, and anyone who uses or manages laboratory equipment. It also offers customisable training modules to meet specific organisational needs and equipment types, along with post-training support to ensure continued proficiency and address follow-up queries.

According to him, the training includes hands-on workshops that provide practical experience with laboratory equipment; modules focused on safety standards and compliance in the laboratory environment; guidance on identifying and resolving common equipment issues; and certification upon completion, validating the skillsand knowledge acquired.

He disclosed that the company is exploring a large-scale industrial skills acquisition partnership to train one million Nigerian youths over three years, focused on practical, job-ready skills in manufacturing and related industries. Beyond quality educationandskillstraining, Nwaije highlighted other factors needed for economicdevelopment. He called for more government investment in power, better infrastructure, easier access to finance, improved security, and a stable business environment.

“Government policies should encourage people to invest for the long term rather than constantly trying to adjust to changes in policy. When our companies grow, they employ more people, pay more taxes and reinvest in the economy,” Nwaije explained.

He also stressed the need to encourage local content, saying that government is probably one of the biggest buyers of goods and services in Nigeria. So government institutions should deliberately patronise Nigerian manufacturers where the required products can be produced locally and meet the necessary standards.

“Manufacturing creates jobs at different levels,” noted Nwaije. “One factory supports engineers, technicians, accountants, drivers, distributors, suppliers and many other businesses around it. So when you support manufacturing, you are supporting an entire ecosystem.”

The Finlab boss argued that the next phase of Nigeria’s development must focus on producing, innovating, and exporting what the country can produce. He urged Nigerian manufacturers to start thinking about other African countries.

“If we manufacture something locally that we previously imported, we are already reducing the pressure on foreign exchange. If we then export that same product, we are bringing foreign exchange into the country.

“My thinking is very simple: produce in Nigeria, satisfy the Nigerian market and then export to Africa and the rest of the world. I also believe Nigeria should gradually move away from simply importing technology. We should learn from global technology companies, partner with them where necessary, transfer knowledge to our people and eventually develop our own capabilities. This is part of the bigger vision we have for Finlab Group across science, technology, educationand healthcare. We want to contribute to building an Africa that does not only consume technology but increasingly develops and manufactures its own solutions,” Nwaije stated.

He highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships, both local and international, saying that Finlab is expanding its global reach, attracting investment and building technology partnerships that support Africa’s development.

On his long-term vision for the company, he said: “When I look at Finlab 10 years from now, I see a much larger African company operating across science, technology, educationand healthcare. I see us manufacturing more sophisticated scientific equipment locally, delivering major laboratories and research facilities across Africa, developing technology, training thousands of young Africans and building partnerships with some of the world’s leading science and technology companies.

“I also want Finlab to become a company that invests significantly in research anddevelopment. Africa cannot continue to be only a market where other people’s technologies are sold. We must participate in developing those technologies. So the next ten years are really about scale, technology and African expansion.

“The first 40 years gave us experience. The next phase is about using that experience to build something much bigger. Our ambition is simple: when people think about science infrastructure in Africa, we want Finlab to be one of the companies they think about.”

Nwajie envisions a self-reliant Africa with the capacity to meet its own scientific, healthcare and industrial needs, saying, “Africa’s potential is huge. With the right infrastructure, the right skillsand the right partnerships, we can achieve extraordinary things. Our goal is to be part of that journey one laboratory, one school, one innovation at a time.”

Funmi Ogundare 

The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, National Universities Commission (NUC) and other stakeholders are expected to converge on Abeokuta, Ogun State, on October 15, to explore how Nigeria can re-engineer its education system to drive industrialisation, innovation, productivity and job creation.

The stakeholders will participate in the fifth edition of the For the Love of the Country (FLOC) conference and symposium, themed, ‘Building a Prosperous Future: Re-Engineering Education and Driving Industrialisation for Innovation, Productivity and Jobs’.

The symposium is expected to bring together policymakers, academics, business leaders, development experts, civic leaders and representatives of the education and industrial sectors to examine practical strategies for building a more productive and prosperous Nigeria.

The convener of FLOC, Atinuke Odjenima, said the 2026 edition was designed to shift the national conversation from identifying Nigeria’s challenges to building the capabilities required to address them.

She said the symposium would interrogate how Nigeria could develop an education system capable of producing the skills required by industries, transform those skills into productive enterprises and quality jobs, and strengthen institutions to sustain innovation and productivity.

“The time has come for Nigeria to move beyond conversations about what is wrong and focus more deliberately on building the capabilities required to change our reality,” Odjenima said.

“This year’s symposium is about asking practical questions: What kind of education system do we need to produce the skills our industries require? How do we turn those skills into productive enterprises and quality jobs? And what institutions must we strengthen to sustain that progress?”

According to her, the choice of Ogun State as the host of symposium 5.0 was deliberate because of the state’s combination of educational institutions and industrial activities.

She noted that universities, polytechnics and technical institutions in the state operate alongside manufacturing plants, agro-processing hubs and other industrial developments, creating an opportunity to examine how education and industry could work more closely together.

“We chose Ogun state because it offers an important context for this conversation. Here, education, skills development, manufacturing and industrial activity exist within the same economic ecosystem,” she said.

“It gives us an opportunity to examine what is working, what needs to change and how we can scale those lessons across Nigeria. The future we want will not be built by slogans; it will be built by people with the right skills, productive industries and institutions that work.”

Odjenima said Nigeria must move from discussing the future to building the capabilities needed to deliver it, stressing that education, industry and institutions had complementary roles to play in the process.

“Education must produce relevant skills, industry must create opportunities for those skills, and our institutions must provide the foundation for productivity and innovation,” she added.

The 2026 symposium, Odjenima said,  would examine how Nigeria could strengthen the relationship between education and industry, re-engineer its education system to respond to the changing economy and develop a workforce equipped for modern industry.

Other areas of focus would include strengthening local production and building institutions capable of supporting innovation and productivity.

She added that Ogun State’s economic profile, which includes activities in construction materials, food processing, pharmaceuticals, fast-moving consumer goods, logistics and light assembly, made it a practical setting for the discussions.

“The convergence of education and industrial activity reflected the central proposition of symposium 5.0: that education produces capability, while industry converts capability into jobs, productivity and prosperity.

FLOC, the Convener, noted, is a civic and nation-building platform, with the objective of promoting constructive dialogue on governance, public policy, economic development and national transformation.

“The platform brings together political economists, policymakers, business leaders, development experts, civic leaders and other stakeholders, based on the belief that nation-building should involve citizens and not be left to government alone,” she stated.

Odjenima said the event would provide stakeholders with an opportunity to move beyond broad discussions and interrogate practical strategies for building a productive economy supported by relevant skills, strong institutions and sustainable industries.

Olugbenga Owolabi

When President Bola Tinubu assumed duties on May 29, 2023, he did not waste time to begin his Renewed Hope Agenda. Immediately, on the first day, he began his reform programme from oil subsidy removal, and subsequently, the economy, monetary policy, security rejig and later, education reform. While attempting to strengthen the education reform, the federal government through the Ministry of Education realised the imperative need of sealing the 2025 labour agreement it had with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). As part of the Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigerian universities, he thought of repositioning the public university system and entrench lasting industrial harmony in the education sector.
To celebrate the historic milestone, key stakeholders from the executive, legislature, labour, NUC, TETFund and the academic community at the federal were brought together as witnesses to national commitment to dialogue, stability, and sustainable development in higher education in Nigeria. While speaking at the event, the Minster of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa emphasised that the agreement as a practical demonstration of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda would lay a solid foundation against recurring strikes and prolonged academic disruptions. A key component of the agreement is the 40 per cent upward review of the emoluments of university academic staff, with effect from January 1, 2026. After the sealing of the agreement, the FG and ASUU issued a communique and they urged all the state governments to fully embrace and domesticate the contents in their respective states. Without wasting time at all, some of the state governments such as Abia, Ekiti, Osun and Enugu have responded promptly by implementing the agreement in their universities.
It is however a sad irony that Lagos State that often presents itself as the Centre of Excellence and a supposed standard template of good governance system in Nigeria is now becoming a bad example of how not to implement a forward-looking policy and renewed partnership between government and academia.
Almost nine months after the agreement had been signed between federal government and ASUU, and other financially less-buoyant states have started paying the new salaries to their university workers, it is fundamentally troubling that Lagos State has continued to demonstrate its unwillingness to pay the new salary structure. Going by the governor’s undignified eight month silence about the issue and his open declaration at the last Lagos State University Convocation ceremony in August that the coming administration will see to the welfare of the lecturers, there is no other interpretation to that outburst than a clear sabotage and a direct attempt at undermining Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda especially, as it affects rescuing public university education.
Governor Sanwo-Olu cannot convincingly claim its government lacks financial strength to pay the bill. Just within the week, Lagos State was reported to have generated N1.77 trillion in Internally Generated Income (IGR) in 2025, accounting for more than a third of the combined revenue generated by 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Before Sanwo-Olu became the governor of the state, Lagos State University lecturers were earning more than University of Lagos staff because of ‘Lagos factor’. Why is he now dragging the state backward?
What then is the Lagos State’s logic for not paying? Whatever it is, if it is to save money, it is a dubious economy, if it is to assert state autonomy over Tinubu’s agreements, it is autonomy misapplied. This is just a repeat of what happened in Osun State during the regimes of Aregbesola and Oyetola that laid the foundation of All Progressive Congress (APC) losing Osun State to PDP.
Let Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat understand that they and the party they represent may pay the high price of their underestimating the angry lecturers, more so, three universities’ lecturers put together. That was the same way Oyetola underestimated the civil servants in Osun State while going for election. The result of that election has now become part of history. The governor may think he is not contesting in the next election and may be ready to damn the consequence but then, is it proper for him to undermine the chances of the party that provided the platform for him to serve in Lagos State? Is it also appropriate for him to weaken APC’s chance to win Lagos in the coming election?
It is important to note that last year, Lagos state Government wanted to establish another university to be the fourth one. The pertinent question is: does the state government have the capacity to effectively run four public universities? Does Governor Sanwo-Olu think the running of a university is like secondary school? Available evidences about the existing three universities in Lagos show that they all struggle to survive. Forget all the social media rating. LASU especially lacks most basic amenities that could enhance productive learning. As a result of lack of classrooms, students who registered for physical class have been forced to migrate to online class yet, there is no functional internet anywhere in the school. Besides, there are shortage of academic staff and standard laboratories to teach some courses. Is this how to run universities that will compete with others globally?
The truth is, if Lagos State, the political base of President Tinubu remains adamant to implement a federally initiated policy that revalues lecturing, it portends a dangerous precedent and an unenviable model for other struggling states. The consequence, no doubt can be grave as the entire policy risks flopping and a possible revert to pre-Tinubu era when schools were mindlessly closed for a whole session. Imagine if the over 70,000 students across the three universities are indefinitely thrown into the streets of a state struggling with cultism, youth employment, prostitution, drug addiction, and cybercrime, idleness will then breed lives into the criminality already bedeviling the society.
The Lagos State government, the House of Assembly and the governing councils of each of the universities must read the mood of the nation, Nigerian lecturers are not begging for charity, they are only asking for dignity in service.
Now, the governor should have a rethink and act like an astute leader he wants Lagosians to perceive him. He should quickly instruct his appointed officers to commence the process of full implementation of the FGN/ASUU 2025 agreement across the three state-owned universities and ensure the payment of arrears from January 1, 2026. Governor Sanwo-Olu cannot justifiably claim to be building bridges and flyovers that lead to nowhere at the expense of starving lecturers.
Until positive action is taken on this important issue, posterity will not forget the governor for standing against the federal government’s attempt to rescue university education through a new salary policy.

. Owolabi lives in Lagos

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The PAMO University of Medical Sciences has explained why its vice-chancellor cannot appear before the Rivers State House of Assembly’s Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the state government’s scholarship arrangement with the institution, describing the exercise as politically motivated.
The university said it had initially demonstrated its willingness to cooperate with the investigation by sending a representative before the committee on September 16, but alleged that the panel refused to recognise the representative or receive documents submitted on behalf of the institution.
The position of the university was contained in a public notice signed by the Registrar, Peter Akubuiroh
“We attempted to cooperate with the committee by sending an official representative on September 16. However, the committee refused to recognise the representative or accept the documentation presented on behalf of the university”, PUMS said.
It accused the assembly of prejudging the university by publicly alleging mismanagement of scholarship funds before establishing the facts.
“The House of Assembly had already publicly accused the university of mismanaging state scholarship funds without proof. Our demands for a retraction and apology have not been addressed.”
The university said the circumstances surrounding the probe raised concerns about the purpose and conduct of the investigation, prompting the institution to seek legal protection.
On the scholarship arrangement, PAMO maintained that it has fulfilled its obligations under the Memorandum of Understanding governing the programme.
“PAMO University of Medical Sciences is a private institution. Accordingly, neither the Rivers State Government nor the House of Assembly appropriates money directly to it.”
It explained that funds appropriated for the scholarship scheme were channelled through the Rivers State Ministry of Education and other relevant government agencies to meet the state’s obligations to eligible students.
“In practical terms, the state government sponsors eligible students by paying fees that would otherwise be paid by their parents or other sponsors,” the university stated.
It added that the scholarship arrangement covers tuition, feeding and accommodation for Rivers State indigenes admitted to the university on merit, adding that beneficiaries had been trained in Medicine and Surgery, Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Radiography, Pharmacology, Physiology, Anatomy and Biochemistry.
The university further stated that about 600 current Rivers State scholarship beneficiaries are enrolled at the institution, warning that the dispute could disrupt their academic programmes.
“For the past four months, the university has continued to keep these students on campus despite outstanding school-fee payments, bearing the costs of their tuition, feeding, accommodation and related expenses.”
The university’s explanation came after the state Assembly issued a warrant for the arrest of its vice-chancellor over his alleged repeated failure to honour invitations to appear before the committee.
The assembly, during its 53rd Legislative Sitting, considered the report of the Ad Hoc Committee investigating the disbursement of scholarship funds to the university and subsequently issued a warrant of arrest for the VC.
The resolutions were contained in a statement issued by Martins Wachukwu, Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker of the House.
The committee, chaired by the Deputy Leader of the House, Dumle Maol, was said to have summoned the vice-chancellor several times to explain the utilisation of funds released under the scholarship arrangement.
The ad- hoc committee said the university received more than N29 billion from the state government under the scheme, alleging that the funds released did not correspond with the number of students enrolled, thereby raising questions about their utilisation and accountability.

Funmi Ogundare 

Mobile Screen and Sound (MSS) Limited Technical Academy, has graduated 56 students in the areas of sound engineering, multimedia installation, lighting design and control, stage design, creative production and value management . 

The 10-week training was designed to equip young Nigerians with employable skills and reduce youth idleness by preparing them for opportunities in the growing events industry.

Speaking at the maiden graduation ceremony in Lagos, the Vice-Chancellor of Kola Daisi University, Ibadan, Prof. Olajumoke Abimbola Morenikeji, advised the graduates to leverage their practical skills to create businesses, generate employment and contribute to Nigeria’s creative and technology-driven economy.

She said the institution’s partnership with the academy was designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practice, adding that the training equipped the graduates with skills capable of creating livelihoods and solving real-world problems.

According to her, “education must prepare our young people not only to seek employment but also to create value, solve problems, and create opportunities for themselves and others.”

The Professor of Parasitology and Zoology, described the academy as a meaningful bridge between academic learning and professional practice, saying that universities must remain connected to realities beyond the classroom.

The VC noted that the event and creative technology industry is constantly evolving, stressing that graduates must remain curious and committed to continuous learning to remain relevant.

“Do not limit your dreams to getting a job. Build something, create something and offer something of value. Your skills can become the foundation of businesses that employ other young people and contribute to Nigeria’s development,” she stated.

Morenikeji, who congratulated the graduating students, said the certificate they received should not merely be framed or kept away, but should serve as a reminder of the skills acquired and the responsibilities that came with them.

She urged the graduates to be professional, dependable and creative, while respecting their parents, colleagues and mentors and making excellence a guiding principle in their careers.

She also commended the management of MSS Event Tech Academy for investing in the development of young Nigerians, describing the establishment of the training facility as evidence of sustained investment and commitment to youth development.

Morenikeji further urged the graduates to uphold the reputation of both institutions, saying that their competence, professionalism and quality of work would determine how they are remembered after graduation.

She reaffirmed Kola Daisi University’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with MSS Event Tech Academy and exploring more opportunities to equip young people with relevant skills for the future.

She urged the graduates to approach their professional journey with confidence, humility and a commitment to excellence, assuring them that their skills and creativity could distinguish them in the emerging creative technology industry.

In his remarks, the Academy’s Technical Director and Principal Consultant, Emmanuel Ibe, described the graduation ceremony as a historic milestone for the organisation and the graduating students.

He noted that the ceremony marked an opportunity for the academy to give back by sending well-trained professionals into the industry and thanked the management and the university for their support, while also commending the students for their commitment and perseverance throughout the training programme.

The Managing Director and CEO of MSS Limited, Tunbosun Kola-Daisi commended the facilitators for their efforts and support towards the training as well as the graduates for their professionalism. 

“What you have learnt has empowered you. Market yourself, don’t be too boastful. Start small and grow. You need to keep the flag flying and keeping doing your best,” he said, adding that the training is continuous.

He described the events industry as a major contributor to the economy and a sector with significant youth participation, stressing the need to deliberately prepare young people to take advantage of opportunities within it.

The CEO said the training could also contribute to economic growth by enabling graduates to earn incomes, support their families and eventually create employment opportunities for others.

He promised automatic employment for the best five graduating students.

Some of the facilitators at the training urged the graduands to remain open to opportunities, continuously develop their skills and uphold strong character and integrity as they begin their professional careers.

They encouraged the graduands to take pride in their training at MSS and use their talents to make a positive impact on others.

“You must remain creative, refine your skills and let the quality of your work speak for you. Certify your talents, do not be selfish, consider others and be willing to share your knowledge and opportunities with them,” they advised.

Funmi Ogundare

The African Universities Seminar Series–Nigeria (AUSS-NG) has called for the reconstruction of Nigerian citizenship around inclusion, equality, participation and social justice, warning that structural inequalities and exclusion continue to deepen conflict and insecurity across the country.

The scholars also urged the government to move beyond conventional commemorative remembrance of past conflicts to what they described as reparative memory that acknowledges historical injustices, restores the dignity of victims and helps prevent the recurrence of violence.

These were among the major recommendations contained in the communiqué issued at the end of the second AUSS-NG conference and signed by Victor Ogbonnaya Okorie, Professor of Development, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

The three-day conference, hosted by the University of Lagos Institute for African and Diaspora Studies (IADS), brought together scholars, researchers, practitioners and other stakeholders to examine the theme, ‘Citizenship, Belonging and Geographies of Conflict in Contemporary Nigeria’. It featured 25 papers, comprising a keynote paper, a lead paper and 23 plenary papers.

According to Okorie, the discussions identified diverse geographies of conflict and forms of belonging, including conditional citizenship, noting that each geography of conflict contains a triangle of violence involving perpetrators, victims and witnesses, whose memories and experiences may vary. The scholars observed that violence is fungible, explaining that an individual who is a victim in one situation could become a perpetrator in another, while a witness could also become involved in violence.

The conference distinguished between subjective violence, experienced through community and interpersonal conflicts such as land disputes and farmer-herder conflicts, and objective or structural violence embedded in institutional and governmental arrangements.

Okorie noted that unequal access to resources, land, education, employment, opportunities and public institutions could foster exclusion and deepen social divisions.

The scholars therefore called for peacebuilding interventions to address not only immediate violence but also the institutional, economic, social, and political structures that reproduce inequality, deprivation, and conflict.

“There is a need for greater recognition of locally generated peacebuilding initiatives and community knowledge, rather than relying exclusively on elite-driven or top-down approaches,” they stated.

The conference also recommended integrating indigenous African knowledge systems, local conflict-management mechanisms, and community-based practices into national, regional, and global peacebuilding frameworks.

They further called for stronger recognition of women’s informal peacebuilding roles in homes, markets, religious spaces and communities as legitimate components of conflict prevention, mediation and reconciliation.

The scholars urged closer links between informal community-based peacebuilding initiatives and formal governmental, institutional and international mechanisms.

On education, the conference recommended treating learning as a fundamental component of peacebuilding and reintegration, particularly for children and women living in displaced communities.

It also called for participatory approaches to displacement, deradicalisation and reintegration programmes, stressing the need to recognise the agency, identities, narratives and social realities of displaced persons.

“Scholars and practitioners must also strengthen research-policy linkages through innovative, interdisciplinary and field-based studies capable of informing policy and institutional practice,” they stated.

The conference also called for African experiences, knowledge systems and locally generated evidence to play a greater role in regional and global debates on conflict, security, citizenship and peacebuilding.

The scholars advocated a broader conception that moves beyond a narrow state-centric approach to recognise everyday economic, social, environmental and human insecurities experienced by citizens. Regarding the healing of war trauma and painful memories, the conference called on the state to move from historical and commemorative remembrance to reparative memory.

It said reparative memory should openly acknowledge past injustices, including colonial violence, war crimes and systemic oppression, while ensuring that victims and marginalised groups are remembered in ways that restore their dignity and affirm their humanity and agency. According to the conference, such an approach should also encourage society to accept responsibility for historical wrongs, with the ultimate objective of preventing a repetition of violence and promoting healing.

The conference further restated the importance of strengthening the capacity of universities, research institutions, civil society organisations, government agencies and community organisations for advocacy, policy engagement, conflict management and institutionalised peacebuilding.

In its conclusion, AUSS-NG said questions of citizenship and belonging could not be separated from inequality, exclusion, displacement, identity, religion, gender, governance and structural violence, reiterating that sustainable peace would require not only the management of immediate violence but also the transformation of the structures and narratives that produce exclusion and insecurity.

The conference consequently called for “stronger collaboration among universities, communities, government institutions, civil society organisations, religious institutions and international partners in designing and implementing peacebuilding interventions”.

It reaffirmed the AUSS-NG community’s commitment to producing rigorous, interdisciplinary, and policy-relevant scholarship that contributes to more inclusive citizenship, stronger social cohesion, and sustainable peace in Nigeria and beyond.

Funmi Ogundare

The acting Director of the Centre for Information Communication and Public Relations (CICPR), Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Adekunle Adams, has urged Nigerian youths to continually acquire relevant digital and technical skills to remain competitive in a rapidly changing economy.

Adams, who said this recently at the Catalyst Shift 1.0, held at the Yusuf Grillo Auditorium, said young Nigerians must move beyond seeking employment to developing the capacity to create value, solve problems, and generate opportunities for others.

He spoke on the theme, ‘Empowering the Next Generation to Evolve, Lead and Impact’, at the programme organised by the Ayo Lawal Empowerment Foundation.

According to him, technological advancement, AI, automation, digital platforms and changing workplace demands have made continuous learning imperative for the younger generation.

“You cannot build tomorrow with yesterday’s mindset,” said Mr Adams. “The next generation must be prepared to learn, unlearn and relearn.”

Adams noted that although university degrees, certificates and professional qualifications remain important, they should not mark the end of a young person’s learning journey.

He urged youths to regularly ask themselves what they are learning that can make them more valuable in the future, stressing that knowledge must be complemented by communication skills, emotional intelligence, digital competence, creativity, problem-solving ability, teamwork, entrepreneurship and character.

Adams noted that competence might open doors, but character determines what happens after opportunities are secured, encouraging young Nigerians to develop an entrepreneurial mindset by shifting their focus from asking, “Who will employ me?” to questions such as, “What problem can I solve?” “What value can I create?” and “What service can I provide?”

According to him, this mindset is necessary for Nigeria to harness the potential of its youthful population and address the country’s development challenges.

Adams highlighted the college’s empowerment initiatives, including entrepreneurship programmes, innovation challenges, digital training, technical skills acquisition, industrial training, mentorship, and industry engagement. He said the objective was to move students from knowledge acquisition to knowledge application and equip them not only to seek employment, but also to create opportunities.

The college’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, including the Folawiyo Entrepreneurship Centre, encourages students to identify opportunities within the challenges confronting the country.

Adams pointed out that digital empowerment should go beyond certificates, noting that digital skills could provide pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and participation in the digital economy. He cautioned youths, however, against viewing technology as a substitute for critical thinking and sound judgment.

“Technology can amplify your ability, but it cannot replace your character,” he said, adding that artificial intelligence could assist with writing and information processing, but users must retain human judgment, creativity and ethical responsibility.

Adams restated the value of technical and vocational skills, noting that Nigeria needs skilled technicians, engineers, fabricators, designers, builders, artisans, manufacturers and technical entrepreneurs.

“Students need to meet people who are already operating in the industries they aspire to enter. They need to understand what employers expect. They need practical exposure. They need mentors,” he stated.

On leadership, Adams urged young people to understand that leadership does not depend on titles or positions, but on responsibility, service, accountability, and influence. He said that youths could demonstrate leadership by solving problems, supporting others, executing responsibilities with excellence, mentoring their peers and maintaining integrity.

He further identified effective communication as a critical leadership skill, urging young people to communicate intentionally, listen to others and consider whether their words were truthful, necessary, respectful and constructive.

Adams also advised youths not to wait for perfect conditions before pursuing their goals, encouraging them to start with available resources, volunteer, build relationships, develop their skills and offer solutions. He said relationships matter, but young people should focus more on the value they bring to their networks than on merely seeking influential connections.

On the theme of impact, Adams said young people should measure success not only by what they accumulated but also by the positive difference they made in the lives of others. He commended the foundation for creating a platform for mentorship, leadership development and youth empowerment, urging the organisation to strengthen collaboration among education, industry, entrepreneurship, technology and community development.

He said empowering young people could have a multiplier effect on families, communities and the wider economy. He urged participants to embrace the message of the ‘Catalyst Shift’ by evolving through continuous learning, leading through responsibility and creating impact by solving problems and helping others.

“Don’t wait for somebody to give you permission to become who you are capable of becoming. Don’t wait until you have everything. Start. Learn. Improve. Serve. Lead. Impact,” Adams said.

Speaking with ������Ƶ, the foundation’s convener, Ayo Lawal, urged young Nigerians to discover their individual purpose and resist pressure to follow their peers’ paths, saying clarity of purpose remains critical to achieving fulfilment in life.

He said the programme was designed to help young people who have lost a sense of direction or felt unfulfilled despite achieving success in their careers. According to him, many young professionals become confused about their next steps, making mentorship and purposeful conversations important tools for helping them navigate these challenges.

Lawal explained that the mentorship programme, previously held virtually for more than five years, was now moving to a physical platform to enable participants to engage directly with mentors who had relevant experience in their fields. He said the initiative aimed to create an environment where young professionals could ask questions, share concerns, and receive guidance from people who had navigated similar experiences.

Lawal urged youths to avoid measuring their progress against their friends or following other people’s career paths simply because they appeared successful, and encouraged them to prioritise character over reputation, arguing that strong character would ultimately sustain an individual’s reputation.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, will on October 3, inaugurate two multimillion-naira projects as part of activities marking the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Comprehensive High School Ilutitun Osoro, established in 1976 by the Morubodo Community.

The two projects, a befitting and modern gate with a restroom and reception facilities for visitors and a well-equipped block of residential buildings to accommodate National Youth Service Corps members posted to the school, were built by the Old Students’ Association.

The National President of CHS Old Students’ Association, Chief Adewale Netufo, in a statement, said, “The facilities are part of mega projects conceived and being executed by CHSOSA to restore the old glory of the school, as well as ensuring that it has up-to-date facilities germane to a requisite environment conducive for teaching and learning in compliance with the school’s motto: ‘Only the Best is Good for CHS’. “

Other dignitaries expected at the week-long anniversary include: Abodi of Ikale Land, Oba Faduyile; Majuwa of Morubodo Kingdom, Oba Ernest Adeoye Idepefo; the Bishop of Diocese On The Coast, Rt. Revd. Seyi Pirisola; and past principals of the school.

Netufo on Monday led his members in an environmental sanitation exercise in the town as part of the activities lined up for the week-long celebration.

On October 3, the old students will present awards to some members and other stakeholders who have distinguished themselves through their services and contributions to the college’s growth and development. The anniversary will conclude on October 4 with prayers and thanksgiving at the Ebenezer Anglican Cathedral, Ilutitun Osoro.

Uchechukwu Nnaike 

The Chairman, Governing Board, National Universities Commission (NUC), and former Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has called for a sustainable, harmonized relationship between the NUC and Nigeria’s professional regulatory bodies to curb what he described as double oversight.

He also urged the Nigerian university system to move from an accreditation-centred culture to a quality assurance culture, saying that accreditation should be the confirmation of quality that already exists, not the event that creates temporary quality. 

This he said requires universities to embed programme review, curriculum currency, staff development, infrastructure renewal, student feedback, graduate outcomes and professional engagement into their normal governance processes.

Ogundipe stated this recently, while delivering the 2026 convocation lecture of Osun State University, titled ‘Coping with Double Oversight: Harmonizing the NUC and Professional Bodies for a Sustainable University System’.

According to him, for decades, the NUC and Nigeria’s professional regulatory bodies coexisted in an uneasy peace. “Universities understood that they needed both accreditations and managed the process as best they could. But as Nigeria’s university system expanded particularly from the 1990s onward, with the proliferation of state and private universities, the structural tensions between the two systems became increasingly visible and increasingly costly.” 

He argued that Nigeria does not need less regulation of university education, but needs better regulation. “Quality assurance must remain non-negotiable, but it becomes counterproductive when multiple regulators exercise overlapping mandates, impose inconsistent requirements, duplicate processes, and leave universities and students to bear the consequences.”

He said that the NUC and professional regulatory bodies have continued to clash in areas like: curriculum ownership and content, accreditation timelines and costs, minimum standards vs. professional standards, institutional capacity and professional council resistance to new universities, the post-NYSC professional registration problem, data asymmetry and information gaps.

According to him, the unresolved tension affects institutional planning, academic staff who are burdened with perpetual  accreditation preparation, students, public trust in the university system, and national development.

“Nigeria’s development agenda whether articulated through ERGP, the Economic Sustainability Plan, or the more recent Renewed Hope Agenda depends critically on the supply of welltrained professionals: doctors, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists, nurses, architects, accountants. A regulatory system that impedes the efficient production of such professionals, that creates unnecessary attrition between university graduation and professional registration, is a drag on national development. It is a self-inflicted wound on a country that can afford neither the wound nor the delay in healing it,” Ogundipe said.

He therefore stressed that the regulatory calendar must become part of institutional planning, adding that the governing council, senate and management should know, programme by programme, the applicable NUC and professional requirements, the status of each accreditation, the next expected review, outstanding recommendations, and the financial implications. “Accreditation should therefore feature in the annual operating plan and institutional risk register.”

He added that Nigeria needs a stronger student-protection principle, saying that no student should discover at graduation that a programme has a regulatory problem that the institution or regulator knew, or ought reasonably to have known, years earlier. 

He insisted that accreditation status should be transparent at admission and continuously updated. “Where a programme is under an approved developmental or interim arrangement, students should receive clear information about the implications for professional registration.”

The chairman further recommended that professional accreditation should be developmental, rather than merely punitive. He said that where deficiencies are remediable and do not pose an immediate threat to public safety, the regulatory response should distinguish between serious quality failures and capacity gaps that can be corrected within an agreed improvement plan. “This is particularly important for young universities and programmes serving regions where access to professional education remains limited.”

He advised universities to accept responsibility, saying that harmonisation cannot become a convenient argument for lowering standards. “University leadership must ensure that curricula are current, academic staff are properly qualified, laboratories and clinical facilities are fit for purpose, students receive adequate practical exposure, and recommendations from regulatory visits are implemented. A culture of quality begins within the institution,” Ogundipe said.

He further stated that establishing a sustainable, harmonized relationship between the NUC and Nigeria’s professional bodies requires: legislative and policy clarification of jurisdictional boundaries; a permanent national consultative framework; harmonised accreditation protocols; student-protective developmental accreditation; and a shared national regulatory information platform.

He lauded the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa’s recent reform initiatives, particularly the establishment of a Ministerial Committee on Strengthening the Accreditation and Quality Assurance System for Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria, saying that his focus on harmonising accreditation protocols and instruments, as well as securing the active participation of professional bodies, is a critical step forward. “Achieving this buy-in, however, requires careful negotiation and sustained engagement.”

Ogundipe stressed that the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVC) has an important role to play in advocating, with a unified voice, for the outlined administrative reforms. 

He said individual universities often negotiate separately with regulatory bodies, leading to inconsistent outcomes and missed opportunities for system-wide reform. He said that a coordinated advocacy strategy, developed by the CVC, in partnership with the Association of Private Universities in Nigeria and the Committee of Pro-Chancellors, would carry greater weight than any individual institution can muster.

Ogundipe also advised the graduands and those entering the professions medicine, engineering, law, pharmacy, the built environment, the sciences, to understand the regulatory framework of their profession. “Know what professional registration requires of you. Know your professional body. Engage with it not as a bureaucratic obstacle, but as the institution that defines the standards of your calling and protects the public you are sworn to serve.”

“Do not wait for the system to come to you. Go to the system. Register. Participate. And in time, lead. The professional bodies of Nigeria, like all human institutions, are shaped by the people who engage with them. The generation that reforms the double oversight problem may well be sitting in this hall today,” he said.

The Estate, Rent and Commission Agents Association of Nigeria (ERCAAN) has inaugurated its Estate Abule-Osun Zone in Lagos. The event also featured the election and swearing-in of the zone’s executive officers.

National President of ERCAAN, Godwin Alenkhe, said the inauguration would help promote credibility and professionalism in the real estate sector.

Alenkhe said the new zone comprised honest and credible estate agents who could contribute to the sanitisation of real estate practice in the area, adding that ERCAAN was established to develop the capacity of real estate practitioners through training and other professional development programmes.

According to him, members of the new zone will have access to ERCAAN training, seminars and leadership development programmes.

While stating that the association has internal mechanisms to discipline members found engaging in fraudulent or unprofessional practices, he called for government support, saying that not all estate agents belong to ERCAAN and can be regulated by the association.

The ERCAAN boss added that the national body would also monitor the new zone and provide support to address challenges affecting its operations.

He urged the new leadership to restore public confidence in estate agents through professionalism, honesty and accountability.

On his part, Chairman of the Estate Abule-Osun Unit, Jonathan Atiko, said the inauguration marked the official recognition of the unit as a zone under ERCAAN, Lagos chapter.

He said the unit had met the required criteria before applying to become a zone, giving members a stronger sense of belonging.

He said the new zone would create confidence among clients by ensuring that  they dealt with registered, trained and professional estate practitioners.

According to him, the zone will also contribute towards reducing quackery in the real estate sector through training and professional standards.

Atiko said the new status would provide the zone with opportunities to carry out its activities legally under the association, adding that the the zone is committed to building a great organisation founded on professionalism, peace and progress.

He said the journey to becoming a zone was challenging, but members remained committed through perseverance, sacrifice and unity.

He promised that the new zone would promote professionalism, integrity and ethical standards, while creating opportunities for networking, training and business development.

While stating that the motto of ERCAAN, ‘Honesty and Quick Service’ will remain the watchword of the new zone, he urged members to support the new administration and contribute ideas towards building a united and prosperous zone.

He described the executive positions as responsibilities and called on the newly elected officers to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Atiko also thanked the national and state leadership, electoral committee, planning committee, legal practitioners, patrons and other guests for supporting the inauguration.

The inauguration brought together ERCAAN national and state executives, members, legal practitioners, patrons and other stakeholders in the real estate sector

Also speaking, General Secretary of the Estate Abule-Osun zone, Emmanuel Onoja, described the inauguration as the result of a difficult journey and persistent efforts by members.

He said the new zone aspires to make a difference in Lagos and Nigeria, through honesty and professional conduct, adding that members are committed to avoiding practices that could undermine their colleagues and the reputation of the profession.

Chairman, ERCAAN Lagos chapter, Godwin Oluwasegun, said units are required to meet established criteria before being upgraded to zones.

He said the criteria included having sufficient membership, following the association’s rules and demonstrating experience and commitment.

He said the new zone would serve as an ambassador of ERCAAN in its neighbourhood by adhering to the association’s rules and regulations.

According to him, the state association would monitor the zone through its compliance department to ensure adherence to professional standards.

Oluwasegun noted that violations would be investigated and appropriate sanctions applied where necessary.

He urged members to obtain the appropriate licences from the state government and comply with regulatory requirements.

Matthew Akpotare, a patron of the association, urged members of the new zone to embrace continuous training, investment and savings.

He said that estate practitioners need lawyers to support their transactions and ensure that real estate dealings are properly handled.

He also urged the new zone to develop reliable systems that would improve professionalism and public confidence in the sector.

Henry Okonkwo, a member of the ERCAAN, said the inauguration provided an opportunity to reposition the association and improve its visibility.

Okonkwo said members would introduce digital transformation to make their operations more accessible and efficient.

Speaking on his role in the new zone, he said he was appointed as an ex-officio member who could act as a deputy for the chairman or vice-chairman when necessary.

EVA Professionals has appointed Olumide Akinpelumi as its Managing Partner, a move aimed at strengthening the firm’s leadership and expanding its capacity to support clients navigating increasingly complex tax, regulatory and global trade environments.

The firm said that Akinpelumi brings more than a decade of experience spanning tax consultancy, regulatory compliance, global trade and professional advisory, with a career that has seen him provide technical and strategic advisory services to clients across the public and private sectors, including multinational companies.

Before his appointment, Akinpelumi served as a Director in the Indirect Tax and Global Trade sub-service line of one of the Big Four accounting firms in Nigeria, where he provided indirect tax compliance, indirect tax advisory and global trade advisory services across multiple sectors.

The firm noted that his experience extends beyond private-sector advisory, having supported the Federal Government of Nigeria on various tax implementation initiatives, including matters relating to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

It added that the experience has equipped him with a strong understanding of Nigeria’s evolving tax, customs and trade policy landscape and the practical implications of regulatory reforms for businesses and government institutions.

Akinpelumi has also served for over a decade as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee.

According to EVA Professionals, he has extensive experience in the real estate, construction and property development sectors, further broadening his understanding of the regulatory and commercial considerations affecting businesses in those industries.

Throughout his career, he has advised a diverse portfolio of clients across the public and private sectors, developing deep industry knowledge through engagements involving complex tax, regulatory and global trade matters.

Akinpelumi holds a Master of Science in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

Beyond his professional practice, he has contributed significantly to professional education and capacity development, serving for over a decade as a lecturer at institutions including ICAN and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He is also a serial entrepreneur with interests across various sectors.

As Managing Partner, Akinpelumi will provide strategic leadership for EVA Professionals and contribute to its continued growth, with a focus on delivering technically robust, commercially relevant and innovative solutions to clients.

The firm said his appointment reflects its commitment to strengthening its leadership and professional capabilities while positioning it to better serve clients operating in increasingly complex tax, regulatory and global trade environments.

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

A Nigerian-German entrepreneur, Georgia Oviesu, has unveiled a Tuition-Free School, The Bennie Griffins Academy (BGA), with basic needs such as uniform, meals, sucks and learning materials.

The school was unveiled in Adiyan, Ogun State on Thursday, with about 50 children already enrolled as part of an initiative aimed at closing the gap in access to quality education.

The initiative is being founded by 18-year-old Nigerian-German entrepreneur and recording artiste, Georgia Oviesu, also known as “Gia Réi”.
She said she decided to establish the school after observing the difficulties faced by children in the community as many children sell food and other items on the streets instead of being in school.

She said the situation highlighted a wider problem affecting Nigerian children whose families cannot afford quality education.

“I noticed there was a gap. I realised that the average Nigerian child doesn’t have access to high-quality education. And I wanted to close that gap,” Oviesu said.

Oviesu noted the initiative shouldn’t be seen simply as charity because its intended impact extends beyond the children currently enrolled.

“I think it’s beyond charity. I am helping this community, I’m helping Nigeria as a whole, gain access to children who can actually make impact,” she said.

According to her, the children receive free tuition, food, uniforms and socks, among other provisions.

Oviesu said why she’s providing the children with other basic needs after making the school tuition free is because she wanted the children to feel comfortable expressing their views and challenging ideas without fear.

“I do not want to create an environment where children are scared to say their opinion. In fact, I want to foster that,” she said.

She believes such an environment can help children develop the confidence and critical thinking required to become future leaders.

“I realised because I can. Because privilege isn’t just what you have, it’s what you’re able to change with what you have,” she said.

The founder now plans to expand the initiative beyond Ogun State, with the long-term goal of establishing such a school in every state of the federation.

Ten-year-old Qabiya, a Year 1 pupil, said she was happy to attend the school and identified English and Yoruba as her favourite subjects.

When asked what she wanted to become in the future, she said, “I hoped to become a medical doctor in the future”.

Another pupil, 11-year-old Bamise Elion, who is in Junior Secondary School 2, said he appreciated the opportunity to receive free education. And hopes to become a surgeon.

“I like the way they’ve given the children opportunities to have free education, and I hope to become a surgeon when I graduate from the University.”

The official launch follows the earlier announcement of the academy, which was conceived to provide children from disadvantaged backgrounds with opportunities to develop academically and discover their talents.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal, with 804,948 candidates, representing 58.67 per cent, obtaining five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, announced the results at a press conference in Minna, Niger State, yesterday.

Wushishi said 1,378,048 candidates registered for the examination, while 1,371,992 candidates sat for the exercise, which commenced on June 15 and ended on July 23, 2026. The results have now been released 63 days after the last paper of the examination was written.

He disclosed that 1,162,118 candidates, representing 84.70 per cent, obtained five credits and above irrespective of their performance in English Language and Mathematics.

The NECO registrar also announced a significant decline in examination malpractice, saying 1,406 candidates were involved in various forms of malpractice in 2026, compared with 3,878 candidates recorded in 2025.

He said the figure represents a 64.74 per cent reduction in examination malpractice.

Wushishi thanked President Bola Tinubu for reappointing him for a second tenure as NECO registrar, as well as the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, for his confidence in his leadership.

He also commended security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), for their vigilance, presence, and support during the examination.

According to him, the agencies’ efforts helped to reinforce discipline, deter wrongdoing, and protect the integrity of the examination.

Wushishi reassured stakeholders and the public that NECO would remain committed to its mandate and continue to uphold the integrity of its examinations.

Raheem Akingbolu looks at a changing University of Abuja and its ambitions to place human-centred technology, innovation and knowledge at the centre of the capital’s economic and development agenda

A country’s capital is often judged by the buildings that define its skyline, but its enduring influence is measured by the ideas it produces. Abuja was built as Nigeria’s political and administrative capital. It is now taking on another identity, as a place where knowledge, innovation, and enterprise are beginning to shape the city’s wider development story. At the centre of this evolution is the University of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon University, gradually establishing itself as one of the institutional signposts of the Federal Capital Territory’s intellectual and developmental ambitions.

The change is not about one building, one project or one announcement. It is the cumulative effect of several things happening at once. The university is strengthening its energy infrastructure, linking research more closely to enterprise, exposing students to entrepreneurial opportunities and cultivating relationships beyond Nigeria’s borders. Investments in health sciences, accommodation, ICT and other facilities are also expanding the institution’s ability to serve a growing academic community.

One of the clearest signs of this new direction came in August 2026, when the university launched its Enterprise University Initiative under the theme, ‘Innovative Agriculture as a Tool for Sustainable Enterprise Growth and Youth Empowerment’. Supported by the Federal Ministry of Education, the initiative aims to take knowledge beyond academic publication and connect it with practical application, commercialisation, and job creation. The idea goes beyond adding another programme to the university calendar. It speaks to a changing understanding of what higher education should deliver.

In an economy where young graduates compete for limited formal employment, a degree alone may not be enough. The emerging approach is to give students the confidence and practical capacity to create value, develop ventures and pursue opportunities of their own.

International engagement is adding another layer. Increasingly, the university is looking beyond its immediate academic environment to build relationships that can expand access to global knowledge, expertise and opportunities. In a city that hosts diplomatic missions and international institutions, this outward-looking approach gives the university a natural platform for connecting scholarship with the wider world.

Its recent engagement with the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Abuja, alongside a developing partnership with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its selection to pilot the ECOWAS Club initiative, reflects that growing international orientation. The proposed collaboration with the Foreign Affairs Ministry covers diplomatic training, policy research, migration management, staff and student exchanges and professional postgraduate training. It also creates opportunities for interaction between the university and members of the diplomatic corps.

Location makes this particularly relevant. Abuja is home to embassies, government ministries, international organisations and regional institutions. Few Nigerian universities operate so close to this concentration of diplomatic and policy activity. That proximity offers a chance to turn the capital itself into an extended classroom, where academic work can engage directly with questions of diplomacy, development, governance and international cooperation.

Energy is another part of the story, though it is easy to overlook because reliable power is often noticed only when it is absent. For a modern university, electricity touches almost every aspect of academic life. Laboratories require it, research requires it, and digital learning requires it. So do campus security, administration and the everyday activities that allow students and staff to work effectively, often late into the evening.

Against this background, the recent inauguration of a major solar-hybrid power project under phase II of the Federal Government’s Energising Education Programme is an important marker. Delivered by the Rural Electrification Agency through the Nigeria Electrification Project, with World Bank support, the project features a 3.3 MWp solar array, 3 MW of AC output capacity, 2 MWh of battery storage and 388 streetlights.

Its value goes beyond reducing dependence on diesel generators. More dependable power can improve teaching, research and laboratory services, while the renewable-energy installation itself provides a practical environment where students can see sustainable technology at work. The project also includes a renewable energy workshop and training centre, giving the intervention an academic dimension that fits naturally into the university’s growing emphasis on research, skills and innovation.

This push is happening alongside wider expansion. A ₦4 billion TETFund-backed Health Sciences project is strengthening facilities for medical and health-related programmes, while a 1,500-bed hostel project through a public-private partnership is addressing accommodation. Earlier Central Bank of Nigeria interventions also contributed engineering facilities, postgraduate hostels and ICT centres.

Buildings and equipment, however, tell only part of the story. A university ultimately lives through the quality and relevance of the knowledge it produces. Research, inaugural lectures, and academic work covering areas such as climate resilience and digital communication contribute to the university’s intellectual presence and connect its scholarship with issues that matter beyond the campus.

The links between these strands are becoming clearer. Reliable energy creates better conditions for research. Research can become the raw material for enterprise. Enterprise can give young people another route into the economy. International partnerships bring new ideas, expertise and networks. Infrastructure provides the setting in which these possibilities can develop.

This is why the University of Abuja’s current evolution matters to the FCT. Abuja’s future will not be defined only by government buildings, diplomatic missions and the impressive architecture of a planned capital. It will also be shaped by what happens in its universities, by the questions researchers ask, the ideas students develop and the solutions they take into society.

The University of Abuja is increasingly part of that story. Its emerging role brings together education, enterprise, research, international engagement and sustainable development in ways that reflect the changing needs of the capital. This direction gives the university significance beyond its campus, placing it within the broader effort to build a more productive, connected, and knowledge-driven Federal Capital Territory.

Abuja was conceived around Nigeria’s future. If that future will be defined as much by ideas as by institutions, then the emergence of a knowledge economy is not just an institutional ambition for the University of Abuja. It is the university carving out a distinctive place in the evolving story of the FCT, a federal capital steadily expanding its role as an economic and conference hub in Africa.

In a country where girl-child education is threatened by widespread poverty, cultural and religious biases, insecurity and school attacks, and early child marriage, Dr (Mrs) Oyindamola Obabori has remained a strong advocate for girls’ education because of its benefits to the individual and society. As she nears her retirement from the civil service, Obabori, who resumed as the 26th Principal of Queen’s College, Lagos, in September 2022, shares her success stories at the school. She also shared a few human management tips with aspiring teachers and school administrators. Uchechukwu Nnaike brings excerpts

As an educator, what has motivated you to continue in your career?

I have always known that I will be a teacher, an educator. Growing up in a very large, extended family and being the eldest, I was often in charge of supervising the younger ones. I also knew early in life that I wanted to put things in their proper place, improve them, make them better than I found them, and try as much as I could to be a good example to everybody. So when I grew up and finished school at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), though I did not study education, I decided to go into teaching, against even my father’s wish for me to become a doctor. When I started work, teaching, first as a corps member, and through to now, the positive changes I saw, not only academically, but also behaviourally and socially in my students, and indeed, everyone that came my way, have motivated me to go on, not to relent, in being a change agent, an educator.

Upon assuming office in September 2022 as the principal of Queens College, what was your vision for the college under your leadership, and to what extent has the vision been realised?

From the beginning, I wanted to make a change wherever I go, and working with children and the way the world is going, I felt there must be some direction for children; if not, we let them go the way they want to go. So my thought was to help children believe in themselves. To know that, whatever is happening around them in society, they can stand out and set a good example. They don’t have to conform to anything happening around them. They could think for themselves and stand on their own against anything or for anything. The goal is always to improve the students’ performance, behaviourally and academically. That has been realised. I always receive calls from parents with positive news about their children. Recently, a parent told me that her daughter graduated from the university with a first class in computer engineering. For me. it is a good thing.

What qualities do you think leaders or teachers of all-girls schools should possess?

From my experience as a teacher, the first thing is to be friends with the children. Friends in wanting to know them, what their thoughts are, and how they feel. You don’t just say ‘they are my students’; you should be able to observe any change in them. A teacher of girls, anywhere, whether in all-girls or mixed-gender schools, should be soft but firm, self-worthy, empathetic, a good listener, compassionate, observant, patient, a motivator, a role model, bold, hardworking, resilient, respectful, honest, and much more. A teacher of girls, and indeed all students, must know that everything about them communicates, impacts, and influences the student.

Has rising insecurity in schools reduced girls’ enrolment, how can it be addressed, and why is girl-child education important?

I may not have experienced a school attack first-hand, but as an educator, I cannot ignore the evidence. Where schools are unsafe, parents withdraw their children, and girls often pay the highest price. Affected parents’ confidence must be rebuilt; security agencies should communicate openly about security measures, support affected children and teachers, and create alternative learning arrangements. Girls who have dropped out should be deliberately identified and supported to return. Protecting girls in schools is not simply a security responsibility, but an investment in national development.

Educating girls is very important because educating a girl transforms more than one individual. An educated girl makes informed decisions, raises educated children, earns an income, and contributes meaningfully to her community. She can become anything she sets her mind to, including becoming a national leader.

As the world continues to advance technologically, what special skills/soft skills must girls possess to remain relevant in the long run?

To remain relevant in a rapidly advancing technological world, girls must develop both digital and human-centred skills, including digital literacy, critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and adaptability. They should also have emotional intelligence, leadership ability, confidence, resilience, commercial know-how, hands-on trade skills, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Technology will continue to change, but girls who can learn, innovate, work well with others and use technology responsibly will always remain relevant.

Vocational skills are also considered necessary; how do you ensure that your students master at least one skill before graduation?

Outside the normal lessons, we have introduced weekly skills acquisition and freelancing sessions for the learning of skills such as field games, table games, music, disc jockeying, video editing, hat making, photography, fabric embellishments, knitting, makeover and gele tying, perfumery, cosmetics, baking, coding, and so many more. This gives the girls half a day each week to do what they are interested in.

Four years in Queen’s College, what are your milestones and challenges?

There are several milestones, behaviourally, socially, academically, and environmentally, but topmost is the fact that bullying and gang beating have been reduced, almost eradicated. The first challenge was changing the mindset of staff, students, and parents, because they already had a mindset shaped by their relationships with past principals. Also, parents always wanted preferential treatment for their children. I let them know that my concern is the entire population; whatever we do should be for everyone. When I was firm, everyone gradually adjusted.

When I first came, I noticed many things were not in place. I felt that if the children eat bread three times a week, we should have a bakery to provide it, because spending only on bread was too much. The first thing I did was build the bakery, and we also did other things like the clock-in device, which allows students to register their presence. The device then notifies parents and the school that the student is in school. We also provided laundry services to keep school uniforms clean.

In terms of infrastructure, the work is renovation because there is no space to expand. We have done several renovations in the hostels and classrooms. One thing that gladdens my mind is that we collaborated with the old girls; they were so giving. They have given us solar power in the classrooms. When I came, students fought freely; they used to gang up against each other, mainly seniors against juniors, and the height of it was among the outgoing set and the set after them.

We started thinking about what to do, and I realised they had no place to channel their energy. Their entire time was spent studying. So we introduced vocational studies, and since then, they have been more focused. In the first year, I was not satisfied with their academic performance, so we started re-psyching the girls’ minds and helping them realise that nothing is too difficult to achieve if they set their minds to it. So I gave them a school pledge and the principal’s pledge, which goes with me everywhere I go. To motivate them, to show that they can stand on their own, have the right to say no to anything, and become anything they want to become; they can sit for exams and read. Their external exam results have improved. Students and parents can also attest to the extent of the children’s improvement.

As you approach your retirement from civil service, do you have any regret, and what are your retirement plans?

I don’t have any regrets; I even wish I could have spent more time to give more. But I don’t have any regrets because, looking back, I know I gave as much as I could, and I know many people who passed through me will attest that I tried my best. I may be retiring from service, but I am not tired. I am not done yet because I still have more to give.

What advice would you give to intending teachers and school administrators?

My advice to intending teachers and administrators is that teaching is not like any other job; it is a calling that involves the transformation of lives. They must be ready to sacrifice, set aside their self-importance, and meet their students where they are, realising that whatever they do or say, and how they act or behave, becomes a lesson their students learn; therefore, they must consciously act the way they want their onlookers to act. An administrator should see herself as the mother of all, lead with vision, integrity and compassion. She should set clear standards, support and motivate teachers, listen to students and parents, and make decisions fairly.

Funmi Ogundare

The Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association (GCIOBA) and ipNX Nigeria Limited have partnered to deliver a campus-wide digital connectivity project at Government College Ibadan (GCI), providing more than 2,250 students and staff with access to high-quality broadband internet.

The initiative, led by the GCIOBA North America branch and implemented under ipNX’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, aims to strengthen digital learning, improve teaching, and expand access to educational resources at the public secondary school.

Under the project, a campus-wide fibre backbone has been deployed to connect 29 buildings, while enterprise-grade wireless connectivity has been provided within each building.

According to the organisations, the infrastructure will create a resilient digital ecosystem that supports teaching, learning, research, and efficient school administration, while creating opportunities to adopt future-ready digital learning resources.

The project was highlighted during the 2026 GCIOBA Lagos branch annual luncheon, held recently, as part of efforts to preserve the institution’s legacy and prepare its students for the demands of a digital economy.

President of GCIOBA, Olawale Babalakin, a 1971 set alumnus of Grier House, said the association was committed to ensuring that students of the institution had access to the tools and learning environment required to compete globally.

“Government College Ibadan has always stood as a symbol of outstanding scholarship, professional competence and remarkable discipline. Preserving that legacy requires us to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s world,” he said.

He added that the association found in ipNX a partner that shared its vision and possessed the expertise required to deliver the project.

“This collaboration is more than an infrastructure project; it is an investment in the future of our alma mater and the generations that will follow,” he stated.

Group Managing Director of ipNX Nigeria Limited, Ejovi Aror, described the initiative as a long-term investment in Nigeria’s future, stressing that digital infrastructure had become fundamental to modern education.

“Digital infrastructure is no longer optional for education; it is foundational. Our partnership with GCIOBA reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that students have access to the connectivity and technology they need to learn, innovate and succeed in an increasingly digital world,” Aror said.

He added that the project went beyond providing internet to create an environment that would promote innovation, collaboration, and improved learning outcomes.

The luncheon featured the conferment of posthumous merit awards on two distinguished alumni of the college, the late Dr Burian Carew and the late Dr Blackie Aror, in recognition of their contributions to Nigeria’s technology and educational development.

Carew, a 1955 set alumnus of Swanston House, founded Telnet Nigeria and pioneered the country’s ICT industry, while Blackie Aror, a 1946 set alumnus of Field House, was the father of ipNX’s Group Managing Director.

Receiving the awards on behalf of the families, Ejovi Aror thanked GCIOBA for recognising the legacies of the two men.

He described his father and Carew as exceptional figures whose commitment to excellence, integrity and service had influenced industries, institutions and generations.

Funmi Ogundare 

A Professor of Religion and Society at Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, United States, Afe Adogame, has called on Nigerian universities and researchers to deepen interdisciplinary research and collaboration, as part of efforts to understand and address the country’s security challenges.

Adogame stated this on Monday, at the 2026 conference of the African Universities Seminar Series Nigeria (AUSS-NG), hosted by the Institute for African and Diaspora Studies (IADS), University of Lagos (UNILAG), on the theme, ‘Citizenship, Belonging and Geographies of Conflict in Contemporary Nigeria.’

In his keynote titled, ‘Holy Violence, Unholy Embrace: The Intersection of Religious Conflict and Insecurity,’ Adogame said that universities have an important role to play in generating the knowledge required to understand the complex factors driving conflicts and violence in Nigeria.

He said the country’s insecurity could not be adequately explained from a single academic discipline, stressing the need for researchers to examine its political, economic, religious, social, historical and structural dimensions.

“No one theory, no one approach can best explain this variety of conflicts and violence that we find,” he said.

According to him, researchers should move beyond disciplinary boundaries and investigate both the immediate and remote causes of security challenges, including the historical and social contexts in which they occur.

Using kidnapping as an example, Adogame said that  scholars need to examine its historical evolution, as well as the endogenous and exogenous factors responsible for its persistence.

He also urged researchers to pay greater attention to case studies and local contexts, noting that similar conflicts could have different meanings and manifestations in different communities.

“Context matters,” he stated, urging scholars to study specific cases before drawing broader theoretical conclusions about conflict and violence.

The don said such an approach would require stronger collaboration among scholars across disciplines, institutions and geographical locations.

The conference also highlighted the role of academic networks in strengthening research capacity and contributing to national development.

The Director of the African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) Programme of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), New York, Cyril Obi, said a proposed national entity comprising former and current APDD fellows would help build a stronger scholarly community focused on peace, development and security.

He said the initiative would facilitate collaboration among Nigerian and other African scholars and practitioners, strengthen research expertise and contribute to scholarly publications and policy development.

He added that the initiative would ultimately be expanded to other parts of Africa.

Also speaking, the Co-Chair of AUSS-NG and lecturer in the Department of English and Literary Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Dr. Joyce Agofure said that the conference was designed to deepen understanding of the different dimensions of conflict and explore ways of transforming conflicts and building sustainable peace.

She said the discussions would examine grievances and underlying issues associated with resource, land and grazing-related conflicts, among others.

Agofure called for inclusive governance, responsible institutions and greater community participation in addressing the causes of conflict.

She said the gathering was particularly significant given the security challenges and grievances confronting the country.

An Associate Professor at the University of Jos, Dr Jimam Lar, also called for rethinking of citizenship education and national integration, arguing that residency rather than indigeneity should form the basis for citizens to access rights and opportunities across Nigeria.

Lar said a Nigerian should be able to enjoy the benefits and rights available in any part of the country where he or she resides, irrespective of ethnic or ancestral ties to the area.

He also warned against the politicisation of ethnicity, arguing that Nigeria’s cultural diversity should be harnessed as a strength rather than manipulated to promote exclusion and conflict.

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

The Department of English and Literary Studies, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), has been thrown into mourning following the death of its ex-Head of Department, Prof Abubakar Atiku Alkali.

Alkali died on Saturday at a hospital in Abuja after a brief illness, according to a statement by the Department and signed by Dr M. A. Sajo.

The late scholar, described as a hardworking and committed academic, served the university with distinction and played a pivotal role in the growth of the Department of English and Literary Studies before handing over leadership.

In line with Islamic rites, his funeral prayer (Janazah) was conducted on the same day at the Gesse Phase II Jumu’at Mosque, Birnin Kebbi, shortly after the Asr prayer.

Family members, friends, Islamic scholars, and a delegation of academics from UDUS attended the prayer, travelling to Kebbi to pay their last respects to the departed don.

The university delegation comprised senior academics from the Departments of English, Linguistics and French, including Professors Shehu Sidi Ibrahim, Muhammad Ango Aliero, Muhammad Aminu Mode, and Umar Muhammad Dogon-daji.

Also in attendance were Dr Muhammad Sajo, Dr Garba Ibrahim, and several non-academic staff of the Department of English and Literary Studies.

Colleagues who spoke at the sidelines of the funeral described Alkali as a dedicated teacher, a prolific scholar and an administrator who left an indelible mark on the department.

The department noted that the university community has lost a rare gem whose contributions to teaching, research and mentorship will be sorely missed.

Funmi Ogundare 

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) and DevReporting are set to spotlight accountability in local governance and promote development journalism as the university prepares to host a three-in-one event featuring the premiere of an investigative documentary, the launch of a foundation and a fundraising drive.

The event, scheduled to hold on October 29 at UNILAG, Akoka, will feature the premiere of ‘LG Billions in the Dark’, an investigative documentary examining local government administration in Osun State and using it as a case study to explore broader challenges in public finance management, service delivery and civic accountability.

The event will also witness the formal launch of the Development Reporting Africa Foundation (DRAF) and a strategic fundraising campaign.

The partnership was announced during a courtesy visit by the management of DevReporting to the university on Monday, where the delegation, led by the Managing Editor, Christiana Alabi-Akande, and Associate Editor, Samson Ademola, met with members of the university management.

Alabi-Akande thanked the university for supporting the initiative, describing the partnership as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between academic institutions and the wider society.

“We are deeply grateful for the university’s support and partnership, aimed at enhancing gown and town collaborations,” she said.

According to her, LG Billions in the Dark focuses on local government administration in Osun State, South-west Nigeria, while drawing attention to challenges affecting local governance across the country.

Alabi-Akande said the documentary was intended to go beyond documenting developments in Osun State by stimulating a national conversation on local governance and encouraging citizens and institutions to demand greater accountability.

“Our intention is not only to tell the story of Osun State, but also to stimulate a broader national conversation about the state of local governance and the need for citizens and institutions to demand accountability,” she stated.

The documentary is being produced in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) through its Local Media Sustainability Fund (LMSF), with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

Explaining the choice of UNILAG as the flagship venue, Ademola said local governments often receive less public scrutiny than the federal and state governments, despite being the tier of government closest to citizens.

He said engaging students and members of the academic community would help deepen understanding of local governance and encourage greater participation in discussions around transparency and accountability.

“Empirical evidence suggests that local governments do not receive as much attention as federal and state governments,” Ademola said.

“Despite being closest to citizens, many remain unaware of local governance activities. Bringing students together will allow them to understand these issues, contribute to the conversation, and advocate for transparency.”

Receiving the DevReporting delegation, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, commended the organisation for its focus on constructive and development-oriented journalism.

She said the media had an important role to play in addressing national challenges while also highlighting efforts and progress in the country.

“As a country, we need to change the narrative and talk about a nation striving to survive and develop, keeping the perspective positive while confronting our challenges,” she said.

Prof. Ogunsola added that the initiative represented the kind of journalism the university was interested in supporting, expressing anticipation for the documentary screening and launch of DRAF.

The VC was joined during the meeting by Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Prof. Muyiwa Falaiye (Management Services), Prof. Afolabi Lesi (Development Services), and Prof. Mathew Ilori (Academics and Research).

Others present included the Registrar, Victoria Wickliffe; Bursar, Oluwafunmilola Adekunle; University Librarian, Prof. Olatokunbo Okiki; Director of Quality Assurance, Prof. Olufemi Saibu; Director of Works, Olaniyi Ayeye; and Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Olufunlayo Bammeke.

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt 

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), has distributed meters to select government schools in Rivers State.

The PHED also carried out sensitisation programme tagged ‘School Safety Campaign’, for students in the selected schools on various aspects of electrical safety.

Speaking with ������Ƶ shortly after the presentation exercise at Government Model Secondary School, GRA, Port Harcourt, PHED Head of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Olubukola Ilevbare, said, “as a socially responsible organisation, one of the things that we do in PHED is to make sure that we touch the lives of our customers by giving back to them. We are not only invested in payment of bills, but also what we can do to directly impact our local communities. Hence, this exercise, which will also be replicated in the three other states in our franchise – Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. 

On how schools were selected, Ilevbare said: “We didn’t just select schools randomly, rather, on needs basis.”

She disclosed that the management of PHED, led by the MD/CEO, Ete Pinnick went a step further to write off the outstanding bills accrued in some of the schools where the meters were distributed, giving them the opportunity to have a clean slate in their electricity consumption.

Responding to the gesture, principals of the schools thanked the PHED and promised to protect and maintain the metres.

The Principal of Model Senior Secondary School, GRA, Tamunoinaba Phillips, stated that students have had to cope with unconducive learning environment due to lack of electricity.

“I want to sincerely thank the management of PHED. We are not taking this for granted. We know how much it costs is to buy fuel for the generators. When the weather is hot it is difficult to sit in classrooms, if not that it’s compulsory they just sit. Now you’ve given us meter at no cost and also cancelled the debt of over N1.5 million that accrued from previous bills, we are grateful. The only thing is for us to get fans for the students to enjoy the light,” she said. 

To the students she said, “when valuable things are given to you, you must protect it. So you will guide the meters. If you see students walking near the meters you shout, you report to the vice principals, to the principals, even to the senior prefect because what you have that is valuable must be guided. You will not allow anybody to vandalise it.” 

Also, the Principal of Government Secondary School (GSS) Borokiri, Nwala Uzoma, said, “I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness on the bill of N500,000 that had been on our neck, because I came in 2024 and inherited that debt. But today they have come to write it off for us. 

“As a school, we sincerely appreciate all the good things you have shown today to us and we pray God to keep your company flying. And we are also promising that as soon as the renovation work is completed we shall be up and about in the use of the meter,” he stated.

Other schools that benefited were: Bernard Carr Secondary School; Community Comprehensive Secondary School (CCSS), Rumukrushi; Community Comprehensive Secondary School (CCSS), Rukpokwu; Township Model Primary School II, Moscow Road; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Government Secondary School, Umusoya.

Funmi Ogundare

As Igbobi College prepares to mark its centenary, the Igbobi College Old Boys’ Association (ICOBA) has announced that its 77/79 set will fund and lead the third review of the institution’s strategic master plan.

The initiative, according to the association, is aimed at positioning the college for its second century by developing a clear, sustainable strategy and strengthening its capacity to respond to the demands of a changing educational environment.

The National Publicity Secretary, Femi Bankole, in a statement explained that the master plan, originally developed by ICOBA, in partnership with the college’s board of governors, will be reviewed to assess implementation, identify gaps and emerging priorities, and establish a practical roadmap for the next phase of the institution’s development.

“The exercise is expected to receive technical support from leading management consulting firms, including Phillips Consulting and Andersen Consulting,” he stated.

Speaking on the initiative, the 12th President of ICOBA, Chief Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, described the review as a critical intervention at a pivotal point in the history of the college.

He said, “Igbobi College is approaching its centenary, and we have a responsibility to ensure that the institution enters its second century with clarity of purpose, a sustainable strategy, and the capacity to compete with the best.”

He stated that the involvement of the 77/79 set was significant because of its historic contribution to the origins of the master plan.

He added, “we are particularly pleased that the 77/79 set, which played a historic role in developing the master plan, has stepped forward once again to fund and lead this important review.”

The Chairman of the Board of Governors, Sir Babatunde Emmanuel Sobamowo, said that the exercise should focus on achieving measurable outcomes rather than merely producing another strategic document.

“This is about more than reviewing a document. It is about defining the Igbobi College we want to hand over to the next generation,” he said.

Sobamowo said the board would collaborate with ICOBA, the 77/79 set, the college management and other stakeholders to ensure that the outcome of the review was ambitious and implementable.

Also speaking, Chairman of the 77/79 Set, Dr. Ebun Bamgboye, described the initiative as a continuation of the set’s longstanding commitment to Igbobi college.

“Our generation was privileged to contribute to its origins, and we believe it is only fitting that we help ensure it remains relevant to the realities and aspirations of a college approaching its centenary,” he said.

The review will build on a renewed 10-year Master Plan developed by Dr Segun Fayemi of ICOBA North America.

The association said the exercise will assess implementation of the existing plan, identify strategic gaps and emerging priorities, establish investment priorities, strengthen governance and accountability, and develop a phased, costed and measurable implementation roadmap.

It will also focus on aligning the college’s infrastructure, academic standards, technology, student experience, financial sustainability, governance and brand positioning with the requirements of a modern and globally competitive secondary school.

ICOBA said that the review would provide an opportunity to determine the kind of institution that should be handed down to future generations while preserving the heritage and traditions that distinguish Igbobi College.

The association added that the third review was intended to serve as a bridge between the college’s distinguished past and its ambitions for the next century by strengthening its educational offering, facilities, governance and institutional capacity.

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi 

Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), Bauchi, has reaffirmed its commitment to equipping students with practical entrepreneurial skills alongside academic knowledge, as the institution hosted the graduation ceremony and business idea exhibition of the 2026 MBA class.

The event, organised by the Department of ������Ƶ Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences, held at the Red Seater, Yuli Campus of the university, brought together academics, industry stakeholders, representatives of government agencies and graduating students.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Fatimah Tahir, the Deputy Director, Entrepreneurship Development Centre, Dr. Muhammad Adamu, emphasised the growing importance of e-business in the contemporary world, adding that digitisation has become deeply integrated into virtually every aspect of human life.

He said that the rapid transformation driven by technology has made it imperative for universities to go beyond theoretical instruction by exposing students to practical knowledge and entrepreneurial opportunities capable of preparing them for the realities of the modern economy.

According to him, SAZU is committed to ensuring that its graduates are not only knowledgeable in their respective fields, but are also equipped with practical skills that would enable them to become productive members of society after graduation.

The vice-chancellor assured faculties and departments of the university’s continued support in pursuing initiatives that advance teaching, innovation, entrepreneurship and practical learning.

She promised that the institution would continue to provide the necessary support towards enabling faculties and departments to achieve their educational objectives, while also strengthening the institution’s aspiration to become a true centre of excellence.

Professor Tahir commended the Head, Department of ������Ƶ Administration and the organisers of the exhibition for creating an avenue through which MBA students could translate classroom knowledge into practical business ideas.

She also charged the graduating students to uphold the values of the university and become good ambassadors of the institution wherever they find themselves.

In his remarks, the Head, Department of ������Ƶ Administration, Dr. Mohammed Inuwa, said that the exhibition was more than an academic exercise, as it demonstrated what practical business education could achieve.

He noted that the world is experiencing rapid digital transformation, with technology becoming a major driver of business strategy, competitiveness and economic development.

He explained that e-business has opened new opportunities for businesses to reach customers beyond geographical boundaries, reduced operational and transaction costs, improved service delivery and created new streams of revenue.

He added that digital transformation is creating significant opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, particularly among young people, as individuals can now develop businesses around ideas, skills and creativity without necessarily requiring the extensive physical infrastructure traditionally associated with business establishment.

According to him, Nigeria, with its large youthful population and expanding digital ecosystem, has the potential to emerge as a major e-business hub in Africa.

He stressed the need for Bauchi State to actively participate in the transformation, saying that young people in the state possess the talent and creativity required to develop digital solutions to local challenges while building enterprises capable of serving national and international markets.

The HOD disclosed that the MBA students developed three e-business concepts as part of their practical learning experience, adding that one of the concepts has already progressed beyond the conceptual stage, been prototyped and is undergoing further development towards full-scale operation.

He said the achievement demonstrated the growing effectiveness of the MBA programme in producing graduates that are not only academically knowledgeable, but also innovative, creative, entrepreneurial and capable of creating value in the digital economy.

Inuwa thanked the university management, particularly the vice-chancellor, for creating an environment where innovation, creativity and practical learning could thrive.

He urged the graduating students to regard the exhibition not as the end of an academic assignment, but as the beginning of an entrepreneurial journey, encouraging them to continue refining their ideas, embrace technology, understand their customers and remain courageous in transforming challenges into opportunities.

The event also featured the presentation of awards to the vice-chancellor and other distinguished personalities in recognition of their contributions and support.

The graduating MBA students presented a brand-new printer to the Department of ������Ƶ Administration. The gesture was described as a symbol of appreciation and recognition of the role played by the department in their academic and professional development.

The exhibition provided the graduating students with an opportunity to showcase their business concepts and demonstrate the practical application of knowledge acquired through the MBA programme.

The event ultimately underscored the university’s growing emphasis on innovation, entrepreneurship and practical education as important components of preparing graduates for meaningful participation in the digital economy and broader socio-economic development.