By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Federal Government on Tuesday unveiled a forty million-dollar ICT project aimed at digitising and transforming tertiary education in Nigeria.

Known as the Blueprint ICT Development (Blueprint-ICT-Dev) Project, the initiative is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and will be implemented across 10 federal universities.

Speaking during the unveiling in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the project underscored a renewed national commitment to human capital development, digital transformation, and inclusive education.

“This project is a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian education. It’s about building smart campuses, empowering smart people, and nurturing smart ideas,” Alausa said.

He added that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and would serve as a model for innovation and international cooperation.

Alausa explained that the initiative was designed to help universities digitise administrative systems, develop hybrid and cross-border academic programmes, and strengthen transnational education linkages.

According to him, the project would also support digital libraries, enhance research management systems, and integrate all participating institutions into the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN).

He said the initiative would promote teacher training, improve education data systems, and integrate Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across university curricula to support skills-based learning.

The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, said the project signalled the Nigerian University System’s readiness to embrace digital transformation as a driver of academic excellence.

Ribadu stated that the project, which evolved from the NUC’s 2018 blueprint for revitalising Nigerian universities, would be implemented across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

He noted that the blueprint identified challenges in governance, financing, and employability, and recognised ICT an important tool for reform.

“With this privilege comes responsibility. Success will be measured not just by infrastructure but by the lives transformed,” he said.

He added that the project would expand university reach into underserved communities through open and distance learning, digital literacy outreach, and teacher empowerment initiatives.

“This is not just about infrastructure or platforms. It is about reimagining the role of ICT in higher education,” Ribadu said.

He urged universities, both within and outside the pilot phase, to begin automating key processes, including student and staff data management, academic records, and governance systems.

Also speaking, Dr Joshua Atah, Coordinator of Special Projects at the NUC, outlined the project as a landmark investment to catalyse the digital transformation of the Nigerian University System (NUS).

He explained that Component One of the project has a $38 million allocation to support ICT development in the 10 selected universities.

This includes renovating digital infrastructure, improving connectivity, training academic staff in modern teaching methods, and providing digital resources for students.

Component Two, he said, is allocating $2 million for the creation of a National STEM Transformation Strategy.

This will include the formation of a committee, labour market research, awareness campaigns, and pilot programmes to improve STEM education quality.

NAN reports that the event was attended by the French Ambassador to Nigeria, the AFD Country Director, and other dignitaries.

The 10 beneficiary universities include the University of Calabar, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Ibadan, Federal University of Technology Minna, and University of Maiduguri.

Others are Bayero University Kano, Modibbo Adama University Yola, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, and the University of Jos. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has inaugurated the newly appointed members of the Governing Councils of selected federal tertiary institutions and parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Education.

Alausa, who presented letters of appointment to the appointees on Tuesday in Abuja, charged them to provide visionary and accountable leadership to reposition Nigeria’s universities and colleges for global competitiveness.

In his keynote address, the minister congratulated the appointees on their nominations and confirmation, saying their appointment was both a recognition of their individual achievements and a call to national service.

He noted that governing councils, as the highest policy-making bodies in tertiary institutions, play an important role in institutional governance, policy formulation, financial oversight, and ensuring academic and administrative excellence.

“Your appointments are not only a recognition of your individual achievements and contributions to national development, but also a call to serve with integrity, vision, and accountability,” he said.

Alausa acknowledged the numerous challenges confronting the tertiary education sector, including funding constraints, infrastructural deficits, industrial disputes, and declining global rankings.

He urged the new council members to provide strategic oversight while respecting the autonomy of university management.

“Your role is not to run the universities on a daily basis, but to provide strategic direction and ensure that the institutions are governed in accordance with the relevant laws and extant policies,” he stated.

The minister stressed that university autonomy must be matched with transparency and accountability in procurement, budgeting, appointments, and contract awards.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to revitalising the tertiary education sector under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, the administration is investing in infrastructure, promoting solar energy solutions for campus electrification, enhancing staff welfare, and improving access to quality education.

“Strategic engagements with stakeholders have led to policy reforms aimed at fostering institutional autonomy, promoting research and innovation, and ensuring industrial harmony,” Alausa said.

He reminded the appointees that their roles were not ceremonial, but a national duty requiring diligence, commitment, and strategic leadership.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Sen. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve.

He assured the Federal Government of the councils’ collective resolve to support the transformation of the nation’s education sector.

The newly appointed chairpersons include retired Vice Admiral Victor Ombu, Chairman of the Governing Council, Admiralty University of Nigeria, Ibusa, Delta State; and Prof. Oluremi Aina, Chairman, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State.

Others are Prof. Shuaibu Aliyu, Executive Secretary, National Mass Education Commission (NMEC); Adebayo Onigbanjo, National Coordinator, Special Programmes Operations and Implementation Unit (SPOIU); and Hon. Chidi Nwogu, Chairman, African Aviation and Aerospace University, Abuja.

Also appointed were Dr Folashade Kareem, Chairman, University of Jos; Dr Olusina Adeniyi, Chairman, Federal University of Technology, Ikot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom State; and Babatunde Olokun, Chairman, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

By Uchenna Eletuo

The Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University of Education, Prof. Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, says computer-based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) would promote objective evaluation of candidates.

Lafiaji-Okuneye made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.

NAN reports that WASSCE is conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

Lafiaji-Okuneye spoke against the backdrop of WAEC conducting subsequent examinations through Computer Based Test (CBT).

“Computer-based examinations will eliminate fraud.

“WAEC CBT will be a welcome development and a paradigm shift from the old system.”

She advised that every sector of Nigeria’s economy should apply modern technology for greater efficiency.

“We are aware that new developments like this comes with challenges, but we have to begin while we prune the challenges to make them better with time.

“The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, at the onset of CBT, had challenges, but it is better today.

“WAEC has the resources to establish CBT centres across the country and must have done its analysis before coming out with the measure.

“Even in the informal sector, transactions and meetings are done online; so, students should embrace computer training to enable them to perform better.

“We need to meet-up with the rest of the world,” she said.

NAN reports that WAEC had in April announced that WASSCE for school candidates would be conducted through CBT in 2026. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Ijeoma Popoola

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

More than 80 per cent of the 98,232 candidates eligible for nationwide mop-up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) failed to turn-up for the examination on Saturday.

The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede disclosed this in Abuja during the monitoring exercise of the rescheduled examinations.

Oloyede attributed the development to intensified security measures targeting impersonators and exam cheats.

He said the turnout was alarmingly low, with only about 12 per cent of registered candidates showing up across the country.

Oloyede noted that mop-up exams is usually organised for a few thousand candidates with legitimate reasons, such as illness or verified technical issues, for missing the main UTME.

“Every year, we do mop-up, and it is normally for about 4,000 to 5,000 students, who for illness or other genuine reasons could not take the exam.

“Mop-up is also conducted for candidates who, after our review, we find out had technical problems in their centres,” he said.

Oloyede explained that this year’s large mop-up pool was necessitated by allegations of widespread absence in the main examination.

He said the Board opted to give everyone a second chance while also leveraging intelligence gathered from security agencies.

“In the wisdom of the management and our stakeholders, we felt everybody, who missed the exam should be given the opportunity.

“However, given the intelligence we have gathered in conjunction with the DSS and the police, we were really prepared to apprehend those who will be impersonating,” he said.

He added that some CBT centres expecting 250 candidates per session recorded fewer than 20 attendees.

“It is anticipated because, from intelligence gathering, what you have is a bunch of syndicates, particularly those who say they are tutorial centres.

“There are some private school proprietors who have become syndicates of examination malpractices,” Oloyede said.

He added that with the determination of the Ministry of Education to lead the war, exam malpractice would be reduced to the barest minimum.

The JAMB boss also disclosed that some individuals attempted to cheat by falsely declaring themselves as albino in a bid to exploit facial recognition vulnerabilities.

“We have never had even up to 100 albinos any year, but this year, we have 1,787 albinos,” he said.

The registrar emphasised that suspected impersonators who failed to take the exam after alleging exclusion from the main UTME would not escape accountability.

“They registered with their name. They have schools. They have NINs and their phone numbers.

The security agencies are capable of picking them. Infact, a number of them have already been picked up,” he said.

Oloyede also hinted that parents found financing examination malpractice for their children would soon face investigation and possible prosecution

Speaking on Direct Entry (DE) admissions, Oloyede revealed that 14 candidates had already been apprehended for presenting forged certificates.

He lamented the role of educational institutions in the perpetration of the fraud.

“A new one that we discovered yesterday in the ongoing registration was that about 20 to 30 students, who did not go through NCE, were being awarded NCE certificates in order to be able to register for Direct Entry.

“One of the students who finished from secondary school in 2021, was purportedly said to have been admitted for NCE programme in 2020. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Justina Auta

Stakeholders from various sectors have emphasised the urgent need to dismantle barriers and promote inclusive education for girls as a pathway to empowerment and national development.

They made the call at the SDG4 for Girls Summit, themed “Advancing Education for Girls: Breaking Barriers, Creating Leaders,” organised by Focus on Women and Girls Initiative for Positive Change (FOWGI) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mrs Rifkatu Ademola, Founder of FOWGI, highlighted key challenges limiting girls’ access to uninterrupted quality education, such as lack of safe learning spaces, cultural norms, and economic hardship.

“We must align action with policy to ensure that no girl is left behind due to poverty, period, or patriarchy.

“We must innovate in how we teach, support girls emotionally and mentally, and create solutions rooted in their lived experiences,” she said.

Ademola stressed the need for collaboration between government, civil society, schools, parents, and the girls themselves, adding that real change could not occur in silos.

“We must intentionally raise the next generation of girl leaders, not just as beneficiaries of education, but as creators of systems, solutions, and structures,” she added.

She called on participants to ensure that the summit sparked a movement to transform the lives of thousands of girls in Nigeria and beyond.

Ms. Boluwatife Adenuga, Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Founder of the Rolly Mc Aden Foundation, cited UNICEF figures showing that approximately 7.8 million girls were currently out of school in Nigeria.

She emphasised that addressing the gap was crucial for national development, gender equality, and economic empowerment.

“Girl-child education is not only beneficial to the girl herself, it’s a catalyst for national development.

“When you empower girls, you empower women, families, communities, and the nation as a whole,” she said.

Adenuga urged civil society organisations to integrate strategies that directly addressed the barriers preventing girls from accessing education.

Miss Michelle Zantou, an SS2 student at Government Secondary School (GSS), Tudun Wada, Wuse Zone 4, stressed the importance of creating a society where students can thrive without barriers to their potential.

Deborah Onu of GSS Garki appealed to the government and stakeholders to improve access to menstrual hygiene management and supplies to reduce absenteeism among schoolgirls.

Latisha Ibe from GSS Wuse, Zone 3, urged policymakers to expand access to quality education, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The summit also featured panel discussions on community-driven solutions for advancing girls’ education and strategies for translating policy into tangible progress. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru