By Ibironke Ariyo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Federal Ministry of Education have agreed to introduce a compulsory drug integrity test for students of tertiary institutions.

The organisations also agreed to review the secondary school curriculum to incorporate drug education.

The agreement was reached between the two agencies when the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry on Wednesday in Abuja.

Marwa, who led a delegation of his management team to the meeting with the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, commended the minister for his proactive approach to his job.

He highlighted the devastating effect of substance abuse on the country’s youthful population, adding that the fight against illicit drugs was a fight for the souls of the Nigerian youth.

Marwa said that the focus of the agency would be on schools and educational institutions, adding that there were millions of Nigerian children that were under the supervision of the ministry, and it’s very critical.

“So, we’re actually fighting for the souls of our children. Now, we also know that use of drugs is exacerbating criminal activities. That is, Boko Haram, the terrorism, banditry, and so on.

“We know that without drugs, they wouldn’t be able to do what they are doing, because they wouldn’t do all these criminal activities in their right senses.

“So, in our own way, we are contributing to the fight against insecurity in the country. Now, through law enforcement action, we have continued to deal mortal blows to the drug cartels.

“We know that through the seizures, arrests, convictions, and assets forfeiture, we’re doing our best.”

Marwa said that with support from President Bola Tinubu, within the last two years, the agency arrested 40,887 criminal elements, obtained 8,682 convictions and seized 5,507 metric tons of illicit drugs.

According to him, from January last year, opioids, that’s tramadol seized, are in excess of one billion pills, which is worth more than N1 trillion.

The NDELA boss emphasised that the President was also supporting the agency to build seven rehabilitation centres in addition to the existing 30 centres in NDLEA commands nationwide.

Marwa noted that President Tinubu had also approved the construction of one model rehab centre in each of the geo-political zones in the country.

He listed three key areas he would want the Ministry and NDLEA to collaborate to effectively check the menace of substance abuse among Nigerian youths.

According to him, the first suggestion is for a review of the drug education curriculum in secondary schools.

“Even though we’re told of the existence of this in the past but because of the complexity of drugs, the dynamism of it, and the new psychoactive substances that have come to play, we feel that it is time to consider a review of this drug education curriculum.

“Another area we were thinking of suggesting is to introduce stand-alone drug abuse prevention programmes in schools, secondary schools.

“Not the curriculum this time, but programmes that stand on their own, lectures, competitions, and involving the parents, and so on.

“And then the third area we were thinking about is to adopt a drug testing policy in tertiary institutions, because we want a policy to keep our campuses clean.”

In his response, the minister commended Marwa for his steadfastness and commitment to the service of Nigeria.

“Thank you for your service to Lagos. And beyond that, General Buba Marwa, has committed his life to serve this country. Since I knew him 30 years ago, he’s still serving the country.”

Alausa, however, noted that the drug scourge was a huge problem that must be tackled headlong.

“When the youths get into drugs, they won’t go to school and even when they go to school, they are not getting a functional education.

“And at the end of the day, what happens? Their level of critical thinking is lower. Their ability to make informed decisions in the later part of their life becomes significantly reduced.

“So, they become unemployable. And what happens? You now have that vicious cycle. They’re not functional. They’re not useful to themselves. All they do is resort to criminality.

Talking about the areas of collaboration, the Minister suggested that a technical working group, inter-ministerial working group be formed between the Education ministry and NDLEA.

“We’re reviewing the curriculum now for secondary school. And that’s why I’ve asked the director of Senior Secondary School to come, to be here and then we find a way to cascade it down to primary school.”

The minister also assured of getting two agencies under the ministry, UBEC and TETFund to partner with the NDLEA Academy in Jos as part of efforts to deepen drug education in basic, secondary and tertiary institutions across the country.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Abel Enitan, announced the take-off of a Substance Use Prevention Unit in the ministry as directed by the minister. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Yakubu Uba

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

Lawmakers, policymakers, and education stakeholders have called for urgent reforms to integrate practical skills and entrepreneurship into Nigeria’s education system to curb rising youth unemployment.

They made the call at the 2025 Uwais-Maiwada Aid Foundation (UMAF) Impact Forum in Abuja on Monday.

The theme was “Building Opportunities: Education, Enterprise, and Empowerment for the New Nigeria”.

Former Bayelsa Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, in his keynote address, stressed the need to prioritise human capital development over dependence on natural resources.

“A resource that is not developed cannot be of much value to the nation, the number of out-of-school children is mounting across the country, fuelled by insecurity, poverty and ignorance.

“This is not a northern or southern problem; it is a Nigerian problem, and we must all take collective responsibility in solving it,” Sylva said.

He warned that national unity hinged on shared responsibility and inclusion, urging Nigerians to see the education crisis in any part of the country as a shared concern.

Executive Secretary of UMAF, Mr Uwais Maiwada, said the forum aimed to shift conversations from problems to solutions, especially in bridging the gap between traditional learning and practical skills.

“Today we are here not just to discuss challenges but to share innovative approaches that can unlock the potential of education to empower individuals and enterprises,” he said.

He noted that aligning education with real-world demands was crucial to building a future where Nigerian youth can thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.

Earlier, Chairperson of the House Committee on TETFund, Rep. Miriam Onuoha, praised the foundation’s impact and pledged continued collaboration through enabling laws and oversight.

Onuoha highlighted the TETFund Innovate Programme and the TVET Scheme as crucial government interventions aimed at equipping young Nigerians with hands-on training, infrastructure support and access to startup funding.

“As a legislator, I am committed to supporting programmes that prioritise skills and empowerment, especially for women. When you empower a woman, you empower a nation,” she said.

Also, Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education, Rep. Mark Useni, said reversing the out-of-school trend required the collective action of all Nigerians.

“For us to sleep peacefully, we must ensure that every child is educated,” he said.

“The foundation’s work aligns with the national call to action, and I urge all stakeholders to support this vision”.

Former Minister of Transportation, Mr Mu’azu Sambo, warned that Nigeria’s youthful population, over 70 per cent of whom are under 35, could become a liability if not productively engaged.

With population estimates projected to reach over 260 million by 2030 and 400 million by 2050, Sambo said the mismatch between education and labour market needs had become more urgent.

“Our graduates are largely unemployable because they lack practical capabilities. Degrees provide theory, but skills drive execution.

“We must embed digital skills, innovation, and problem-solving into the curriculum,” he said.

The forum concluded with a call for stronger partnerships among government, the private sector and civil society to drive an education reform agenda that builds a skilled, inclusive, and competitive workforce for Nigeria’s future. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

By Stephen Adeleye

Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhance schoolgirl enrolment and retention through cash transfer in the state.

Ododo gave the assurance on Monday in Lokoja at the inauguration ceremony of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project.

According to Ododo, the AGILE project aims to enhance school enrolment, retention, and transition for adolescent girls, to enable them contribute to the broader social and economic development of Kogi.

Ododo described the AGILE project as a symbol of dedication to ensuring that every child, especially the girl-child, had access to safe and quality education.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to uplifting the lives and means of livelihoods of citizens, particularly women and girls.

The governor emphasised that an educated girl would not only be an empowered individual, but also a catalyst for national development.

“The AGILE-CCT is more than financial support as it represents a long-term investment in human capital development.

“Empowering the girl-child is synonymous with empowering families, strengthening communities, and advancing the nation.

“The project will provide a cash grant of N40,000 each to 13,359 adolescent girls in transition classes across the state,” he said.

The governor noted that Kogi currently ranked among states with the lowest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

He expressed gratitude to former Gov. Yahaya Bello for securing Kogi’s inclusion in the AGILE project through the World Bank.

Ododo urged the beneficiaries to make responsible use of the grants as a foundation for a better future.

In his remarks, the state’s Commissioner for Education, Mr Wemi Jones, commended the governor’s leadership and for prioritising education in the state.

Jones admonished schoolgirls to attend school regularly and advised parents to remain actively involved in their children’s education.

Earlier, the AGILE State Project Coordinator, Ahmed Oricha, emphasised the project’s goal of dismantling financial and sociocultural barriers preventing adolescent girls from going to school.

Oricha noted that the second cohort of the CCT was in progress and every girl-child, who had 75 per cent attendance in school would be eligible for selection.

The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani-Anaje, pledged support from traditional institutions for the girl-child development agenda.

The royal father stressed the importance of sustained efforts in ensuring girls’ growth and empowerment.

A beneficiary, Fatima Salawudeen, expressed gratitude to the governor and stakeholders for the opportunity.

Salawudeen commended the governor and his administration’s commitment to free education and counterpart funding under the AGILE project. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joe Idika

By Desmond Ejibas

No fewer than 32 students under the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Postgraduate Scholarship Programme have graduated with distinction from Coventry University in the United Kingdom (UK).

The students received their postgraduate degrees in various fields during the graduation ceremony held in Coventry on Thursday.

Dr Samuel Ogbuku, the NDDC Managing Director, in a statement issued by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on Monday, commended the graduated for their remarkable accomplishments.

Ogbuku, who led a delegation to the ceremony, said that the academic success had brought immense pride to the NDDC, the people of the Niger Delta, and Nigeria as a whole.

“They are excellent ambassadors of the Niger Delta region.

“No scholar from the NDDC has ever been associated with any misconduct, which underscores the admirable character of our beneficiaries,” he said.

Ogbuku noted that previous beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme had established a strong foundation and set commendable standards for future scholars to emulate.

He further revealed that 18 scholars had also achieved distinction at Coventry University in 2024.

According to him, the consistent achievements recorded under the scholarship programme over the years demonstrated the commission’s strong commitment to human capital development.

“Education remains the most powerful instrument for transforming the fortunes of the Niger Delta region.

“I am, therefore, delighted to be in Coventry to witness the outstanding performance of our scholars, which also affirms the transparency and merit-based process through which the beneficiaries were selected,” he added.

The managing director suggested that scholars who did not graduate with distinction might have faced challenges related to limited computer proficiency.

He noted that lack of computer literacy had been a significant obstacle for some scholars studying abroad.

“This is due to the fact that the educational system in the United Kingdom integrates technology extensively and employs blended learning techniques, which may be unfamiliar to many Nigerian students.

“Henceforth, applicants for the upcoming NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship must provide proof of computer proficiency,” he stated.

Ogbuku also explained that the visit provided an opportunity for the NDDC delegation to explore potential collaborative partnerships between Coventry University and universities in the Niger Delta region. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka

By Vivian Emoni

The Youths in International Trade and Commerce (OY-ITC), an NGO, has called on school authorities, especially private schools and parents to prioritise students’ education to enhance their knowledge.

Dr Chinedu Amadi, President of the NGO, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Monday in Abuja.

Amadi also said that the school authorities should equip students with skills to empower them to be more sufficient and promote the culture of continuous learning for professional development.

He said that students were more concerned with fashion and social standing at prom than the progress of their academics.

He expressed worry over the act, adding that the right values of discipline, moderation and long-term focus should be instilled instead.

He noted that the celebration of prom at the end of nursery, primary and secondary school levels, has taken firm root in Nigeria’s educational landscape.

The president stressed that a Western concept tied to high school graduation, prom, has now become a full-blown social affair in many Nigerian schools.

“Complete with ball gowns, tuxedos, rented limousines, red carpet events and lavish photography sessions.

“While on the surface this may seem like a harmless and even celebratory tradition, it is worth asking: Is this truly what our children and society need right now?’’

According to him, it is becoming common to see students more concerned with their appearance and social standing at prom than their academic progress.

“Parents are pressured into spending exorbitantly, sometimes beyond their means, just to meet the unrealistic expectations set by schools and peers.

“This materialism does little to instil right values of discipline, moderation and long-term focus.

“It is time for school authorities, parents, guidance and policymakers to reflect on this growing trend.

“The emphasis in our education system should remain on knowledge acquisition, moral development and skill-building.

“Ceremonies marking the end of academic stages should reinforce these values, not distract from them,” he said.

Amadi said that transition from secondary school should ideally be a moment of reflection, focus and preparation for the next academic phase, usually university or other forms of tertiary education.

“Yet, what we increasingly see are students excessively investing in prom fashion, luxury spending and social media validation, rather than examination results, university admission requirements or skill development.

“Even more worrying is the creeping culture of “graduation proms” for nursery and primary school children.

“At these tender ages, children are dressed in ball gowns and suits, ushered onto red carpets, and made to mimic adult behaviour for the sake of photos and videos.

“This not only sexualises childhood to some extent, but also exposes children prematurely to consumerist and superficial social pressures,” he said.

He said instead of celebrating learning milestones with academic recognition, storytelling, cultural displays or modest family-oriented gatherings; the focus has shifted to appearance, ostentation and social comparison.

He advised that if such prom-style celebrations must occur at all, it should be simplified age-appropriate and budget-friendly.

The NGO president added that parents and school authorities must be guided to see that these events are not necessary for educational fulfilment.

He said that a child’s success should not be measured by how extravagant their prom was, but by the quality of education, discipline and purpose with which they leave school.

“Nigeria is a developing country with enormous educational challenges from underfunded public schools to examination malpractice and declining academic standards.

“In such a context, the increasing obsession with prom is not only misplaced, it is harmful. If unchecked, it risks creating a generation of youth more focused on vanity than value.

“The culture of celebration should not be eradicated, but redefined. Let us celebrate excellence, character and hard work and not just fashion and fanfare,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu