By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Federal Ministry of Education has debunked a misleading report by The Punch Newspaper claiming that the minimum age for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) has been raised to 12 years.

In a statement released on Friday in Abuja by the Ministry’s Director of Press, Mrs Folasade Boriowo, the ministry said the report was entirely inaccurate.

She added that it did not come from any official source and did not reflect government policy.

She clarified, “For the avoidance of doubt, the minimum age for admission into JSS1 remains 10 years.

Accordingly, no child should complete primary education below the age of 10.”

Boriowo urged the public and education stakeholders to disregard any contrary claims.

The statement also quoted the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, who reaffirmed that the prescribed minimum age for admission into Nigerian universities is 16 years.

He emphasised that the policy was consistent, non-negotiable, and applied regardless of how early a student completed secondary school.

“The Ministry maintains that this age benchmark ensures the cognitive and emotional readiness of students for higher academic engagement,” the statement added.

The Federal Ministry of Education urged the public, educational institutions, and media outlets to always seek clarification from official sources before acting on or publishing unverified information. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Emmanuel Afonne

Prof. Chibuogwu Nnaka, a lecturer with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has described professional teacher education as key to dismantling gender barriers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers.

Nnaka, who is a professor of Science and Technology Education, said this while delivering the 34th Inaugural Lecture of NOUN on Friday in Abuja.

The lecture was titled: “Professional Teacher Education: A Catalyst for Widening the Gateway to Gender Equity in STEM Education and Careers.”

Nnaka, who is an advocate of gender equity in science and technology education, centred her lecture on achieving equity in STEM which, according to her, must be the product of deliberate, strategic, and policy driven efforts, not mere happenstance.

She argued that teacher education served as a foundational pillar for shaping perceptions, building capacity, and transforming classrooms into gender inclusive learning environments.

“Teachers are the first contact learners have with STEM and thus must be professionally trained to challenge cultural biases, dismantle stereotypes, and mentor girls through their academic journeys in these fields.

“Teachers can either be gatekeepers of inequality or champions of inclusion.

“The difference lies in how they are trained,” she said.

Nnaka broke down STEM concept as more than an academic effort, presenting it as a critical driver of innovation, industrialisation, and national development.

She expressed concern over the persistent underrepresentation of women and girls in STEM, which she described as a major developmental shortfall for Nigeria.

The university professor drew attention to global and national statistics, noting that less than 30 per cent of researchers globally were women, while only 17 per cent of students enrolled in tertiary STEM programmes in Nigeria were female.

She said persistent cultural norms, gender stereotypes, inadequate mentorship, and male biased curricular content had remained formidable barriers.

“When women are missing in STEM, half the population’s potential is lost. Innovation becomes stunted, and national development suffers,” she added.

Drawing from her over four decades of academic research, administrative experience, and field-based interventions, Nnaka presented empirical evidence supporting her assertions.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, praised the lecturer’s contributions to education and her unwavering commitment to inclusion, policy advocacy, and excellence in teaching.

Peters, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Innovation and Research), Prof. Godwin Akper, said the lecture was not just another academic engagement but a view into the future.

“It is a reflection of where we are as a society and where we must go if we are to break the chains of inequality and empower the next generation,” the VC said.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, delivered the vote of thanks, applauding Nnaka’s lifelong commitment to education and social change.

Represented by Prof. Isaac Butswat, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Mafiana said the lecture was more than an academic ritual.

“It is a national call to transform our classrooms, policies and systems in favour of equity, innovation and national progress,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Society for Women Engineers (SWE) has urged students at all levels to channel their knowledge of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into developing practical solutions that address societal problems.

Programme Director of SWE, Stella Dennis, made the call on Friday during an innovation lab session in Abuja themed “AI for All- Practical Session”.

The event was organised in collaboration with American Spaces and SWEBaze University.

Dennis stressed the importance of equipping students, teachers, and young professionals with hands-on skills in AI to respond to real-time challenges, noting that the world is rapidly evolving into a tech-driven society.

“The world is now a global village with a myriad of real-world problems. We need real-time, innovative solutions through artificial intelligence.

“My expectation after this is that the participants will continue building solutions that are practical and relevant, solutions that can solve problems in our society”.

She noted that the initiative targets university students, primary and secondary school learners, and educators.

She added that participants were introduced to the use of AI, robotics, and cybersecurity as part of a broader STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education programme.

“We are training them to create their own solutions. Even in cases of malware or cyber intrusion, they will understand how to respond effectively.

“For us, STEM is not just a concept; it’s a tool for solving real-world problems,” Dennis added.

The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi, reiterated the government’s commitment to responsible and ethical AI development.

He was represented by Mr Abdullahi Abubakar from the agency’s Policy and Regulatory Department.

He said NITDA had developed a national AI strategy aimed at leveraging Nigeria’s youthful population and abundant talent to position the country as a leading AI hub in Africa.

“NITDA is not just regulating AI use but developing AI tools and coordinating multi-stakeholder efforts.

“We want to ensure that AI is used responsibly, whether in academia, the private sector, or public institutions, for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.

He commended SWE for its impact-driven approach, especially in using technology to empower women and young people.

Also speaking, SWE Chairperson, Ololade Okobi, emphasised that AI is not just the future, it is already shaping the present.

She encouraged Nigerians to embrace AI and prepare for the changing job landscape by developing relevant digital skills.

“AI will not eliminate jobs, it will transform them. People must develop themselves to remain relevant in this new economy.

“The world is not going to wait for Nigeria. We must adapt and move forward,” Okobi said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

By Abbas Bamalli

No fewer than 42,781 girls have been returned to school by the Katsina State Government, through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE).

Dr Mustapha Shehu, the AGILE Coordinator in the state, disclosed this at a one-day community sensitisation campaign in Katsina.

The campaign has as theme “Strengthening Community Support for Girls’ Education through Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT)”.

Shehu noted that the success was recorded in about five years, since the commencement of the project in the state.

He added that within the period, through the first, second and third cohorts, the project had improved the economic status of about 115,568 households.

He revealed that disbursement of support to no fewer than 48,000 parents and 43, 000 girls through scholarship had commenced in cohort four of the project.

According to the coordinator, the aim of the meeting is to sensitise the public to know more about the CCT component of the project, its condition and challenges.

“The meeting aimed to discuss, exchange ideas and advise through which the programme can be improved. Already we have complaint centres across the state.”

He added that presently, there were more than 2,900 ATM cards registered for the CCT support, revealing that people failed to collect them because they were not the real beneficiaries.

“When we were registering the primary six pupils, hoping they would move to junior secondary, one of the benefiting schools decided to enrol primary five children.

“At the end of the term, we visited the secondary school where the children were expected to transit, we couldn’t find them, but when we returned to the primary school, we saw them in primary six,” he revealed.

Shehu explained that AGILE was introduced in Katsina following a survey conducted in 2019, and 2020, which revealed that 53 per cent of primary school pupils don’t transition to junior secondary school.

He added that the survey showed that 43 per cent do not transit from junior to senior secondary school, and the majority of them were girls.

“The survey also revealed that lack of adequate schools was one of the contributing factors, because in some areas, children walk up to 10 kilometres to go to school.

“The Nigerian constitution says primary school pupils should not walk five kilometres to go to school, while secondary school children should not walk for seven kilometres.

“The report has also indicated that most of the existing schools are dilapidated, and also poverty has contributed to the lack of transition,” he said.

The CCT Coordinator of the project, Dr Kubrah Muhammad, said that the World Bank-assisted project focused on improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in target states.

According to her, the project aims to increase girls’ enrolment, retention, and completion of secondary education, while also empowering them with life skills.

She added that the key aspects of the project were improving school infrastructure, renovating classrooms and providing safe learning spaces.

Muhammad also said that the project provides financial support, offering scholarships and CCTs to eligible girls and their families. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker

By Olaide Ayinde

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Centre of Excellence for Integrated Farming System has trained 50 youth and women on broiler chicken production in Bauchi State.

Dr Abdullahi Muhammad, Director, TETFund Centre of Excellence, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, said this at the inauguration of a 5-day training exercise, on Tuesday in Bauchi.

He said the exercise was designed to help the trainees to engage in poultry production and cope with the current economic conditions.

According to Muhammad, plans are on to expand the scope of the training exercise to include youths and women in the northeast region.

“Most of our youth in this region are job seekers and we want to see a situation where we reform job seekers to be employers of labour.

“We look at what we can train them on that will give them quick returns or generate income in the shorter period of time and that’s why we came up with broiler chicken production.

“This will give them return on investment within eight weeks, they can dispose their birds and bring another set,” he said.

Muhammad enjoined the participants to make maximum use of the opportunity of the programme to have a means of livelihood.

Mr Shamsu Abdu, Head of Mass Communication Department in the institution, lauded the gesture, adding that the exercise was part of the institution’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), to give back to the community.

According to Audu, youth empowerment is a crucial aspect of human development, especially when government jobs are limited and scarce.

“It’s high time for us to look inwards and understand some of our strengths, what we can do to make ourselves self-reliant and independent.

“I believe that at the end of this programme, participants will learn the practical, theoretical knowledge and skills on how to be self-reliant and employers of labour,” he said.

Also, Dr Musa Adamu, Coordinator, World Bank-assisted Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, Bauchi State Office, enjoined the youths to take advantage of the project to contribute to the development of livestock subsector in the region.

He said the project focussed on key value chains of sheep, goat, beef and dairy production, hence the need for the youths to avail themselves the opportunity of the programme.

The Rector, Alhaji Sani Usman, commended the fund over the establishment of the centre in the institution, and called for the expansion of the training exercise to mobilise participation in the programme. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Rabiu Sani-Ali

By EricJames Ochigbo

The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has pledged collaboration with relevant agencies to improve the standard of education in the country.

Chairman of the committee, Rep. Oboku Oforji (PDP-Bayelsa), made the pledge in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oforji spoke on the sidelines of the oversight on the ongoing National Examination Council (NECO) examinations in Abuja.

NAN also reports that centres visited included: Federal Government Boys College, Apo and Model Secondary School Maitama, Abuja, among others.

Oforji said that the committee was pleased with the conduct of the ongoing examination, saying that with the reforms being implemented, the future of the education in Nigeria was bright.

He said that the committee was committed to working closely with NECO, West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NAPTEB) and other examination bodies.

“We are here to see what NECO is doing. The council is very important to us. This is our own. WAEC is also our own, but you know WAEC is the West African body.

“We are very proud of what NECO is doing today, under the leadership of Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi. We pray that they sustain the tempo.

“We have gone round the schools and have seen the students’ commitment. We are very proud of them and hopeful that they will sustain that momentum so that we can have a better tomorrow.

“We are very poised and confident. For us in the parliament, we believe that the reforms that are ongoing will add value to the education sector; not just NECO, all the other examination bodies.

“We are ready to collaborate, work with WAEC, NECO, JAMB, NABTEB and other examination bodies to improve the standard of education in our country, and confident that we will achieve that feat,” he said.

The lawmaker assured of the National Assembly’s commitment to monitoring all reforms to ensure implementation, for the good of the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Esenvosa Izah/’Wale Sadeeq