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Ezekwesili, Bakare Advocate Value-Driven Leadership at Launch of Citadel School’s Advanced Diploma Programme

Fola Badmus2 weeks ago2 weeks ago05 mins

By Kamal Yalwa: LAGOS, NIGERIA Former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, and Founder of the Citadel School of Government (CSG), Pastor Tunde Bakare, have called for the grooming of a new generation of leaders committed to values, competence, and nation-building. They made this call on Saturday during the official launch of the Citadel School of Government and the onboarding ceremony for the pioneer class of its Advanced Diploma in Public Leadership and Statecraft, held at the Citadel Multipurpose Hall, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. The nine-month diploma programme is a collaborative initiative between the Citadel School of Government and the University of Lagos Business School (ULBS). The programme, according to the organisers, is designed to bridge Nigeria’s leadership gap by equipping participants with the ethical grounding and practical tools necessary for effective public sector governance. Dr. Ezekwesili, who delivered the keynote lecture, expressed deep concern over what she termed the “democratisation of corruption” in Nigeria. She lamented the country’s failure to address the institutional decay undermining good governance. “We have no business to fail; failure is not our destiny,” she said. “Corruption is corrosive. For years, people pretended not to see what was happening until it became systemic and normalised. Now everybody says, ‘If you can’t beat them, join them.’ Join who?” She stressed that character must be the foundation of leadership. “No matter how competent you are, if you lack character, you will go nowhere,” she said, urging the incoming students to reject compromise and embody the values of integrity and service. Pastor Bakare, in his remarks, described the programme as a bold step toward raising “a new breed without greed” and preparing young leaders to drive transformative change across Nigeria and beyond. “Our mission is to raise nation builders—leaders grounded in values and equipped with the competencies to champion a new philosophy of governance,” he said. “With your induction into this programme, I believe Nigeria is on the brink of experiencing a new wave of transformative leadership. We are building a leadership pipeline to operate from the local level to global platforms.” He noted that the partnership with the University of Lagos ensures participants benefit from academic excellence and real-world policy exposure. The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the two institutions was signed in June by UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, and CSG Board Chairman, Pastor Bakare, alongside other key officials. Pastor Bakare also highlighted that the Advanced Diploma programme will combine classroom instruction with fieldwork, mentoring, and policy simulations. The goal, he said, is to produce public leaders capable of thinking globally while acting locally. He commended the University of Lagos Business School for its collaboration, calling it “a model of how the ivory tower can meet the policy roundtable to generate solutions.” Bakare concluded by urging the pioneer class to prepare for a challenging but rewarding journey. “You have just accepted the call of destiny by joining this pioneer cohort. The road will not be easy, but the opportunities for service and leadership are immense,” he said. The first cohort of the Advanced Diploma in Public Leadership and Statecraft begins this month.

JAMB to Screen Exceptional Underage Candidates September 22–26

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it will conduct a special screening exercise for over 500 exceptional candidates below the age of 16 seeking admission into tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session. The exercise will run from September 22 to 26, 2025, according to a statement issued on Thursday by JAMB’s Director of Public Affairs and Protocol, Fabian Benjamin. A special technical committee will oversee the process, which follows resolutions reached during a virtual stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday. Screening venues will be in Lagos (397 candidates), Owerri (136 candidates), and Abuja (66 candidates). JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed that of the 41,027 underage candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), only a fraction met the benchmarks for consideration. The screening will include subject-specific tests, an oral interview, and verification of WAEC or NECO results. Candidates must have scored at least 320 (80%) in UTME, obtained a minimum of 80% in post-UTME, and achieved 80% (24/30 points) in a single WAEC or NECO sitting to qualify. According to JAMB, the policy aligns with the Federal Ministry of Education’s minimum admission age of 16. It is designed to balance academic excellence with cognitive maturity, discourage age falsification, and protect candidates from undue parental pressure. Four universities — Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; University of Jos; and Osun State University — have stated they will not admit underage candidates under any circumstances. Stakeholders at the meeting included heads of tertiary institutions, government agencies, civil society groups, members of the Nigerian Academy of Education, and the principal of the Federal Government Gifted Academy, Suleja.

WAEC Releases 2025 WASSCE Results, Records Worst Performance in Recent History

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

By Kamal Yalwa: Lagos, Nigeria — August 4, 2025 The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Monday officially released the results of the 2025 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Lagos, revealing a dramatic decline in candidate performance. Speaking at a press briefing held at WAEC’s national office in Yaba, Lagos, the Head of the National Office (HNO), Dr. Amos Dangut, disclosed that only 754,545 candidates, representing 38.32% of the total 1,969,313 who sat for the exam, obtained credits and above in at least five subjects including English Language and Mathematics. This marks a staggering 33.8% drop from the 72.12% pass rate recorded in 2024, making it the poorest performance in recent history for this school-based examination. The exam, conducted over eight weeks and one day, was marred by controversy—particularly regarding the English Language paper, which many candidates were reportedly forced to write late at night due to logistical delays. There were widespread calls for a review or cancellation of the affected paper. Gender Distribution & Special Needs Candidates Of the total candidates, 976,787 (49.60%) were male and 992,526 (50.40%) female, showing a slight female majority in participation. WAEC also confirmed that results of all 12,178 candidates with special needs—including 112 visually impaired, 615 hearing impaired, and 37 physically challenged—were successfully released along with the general results. Withheld Results & Exam Malpractice WAEC further revealed that the results of 192,089 candidates (9.75%) are being withheld due to alleged involvement in exam malpractice, currently under investigation. This figure reflects a decline from the 11.92% recorded in 2024, which the council attributed to the introduction of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) in select subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and Economics. Dr. Dangut emphasized that the council is intensifying its crackdown on malpractice, warning that not only students but also schools, supervisors, invigilators, and administrators found guilty will face sanctions. He lamented that many students now rely on “expo” and rogue websites for leaked questions rather than preparing adequately. Unpaid Fees & Result Access WAEC also noted that results of candidates sponsored by state governments that have not yet settled examination fees will not be released until payment is received. However, all other candidates can begin checking their results within the next 12 hours via www.waecdirect.org and download digital certificates through the WAEC website using their Smart Identity Cards. Physical certificates will be sent to schools at a later date. Dr. Dangut expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, state ministries of education, security agencies, and examination officials for their cooperation in executing this year’s exam despite widespread economic challenges. He also noted that the cost of administering the exams had risen sharply due to inflation, fuel prices, and increased cost of materials.

WMF President Ebosetale Okhueleigbe Inspires LASU Students to Own Their Dreams at ICE Connect

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

The President of the Women Mentorship Forum (WMF), Ebosetale Okhueleigbe, has called on university students to stay committed to their dreams regardless of life’s challenges. Speaking during her keynote address at the ICE Connect event organized by the Department of Information and Communication Engineering (ICE) at Lagos State University (LASU), Okhueleigbe urged students to take full ownership of their personal journeys and reject negative influences. “You cannot control how you started, but you can control how you finish,” she said. “Nobody will come to your rescue—not even your mentors or parents. You are the chief executive officer of your life. Own your story, walk your path, and run your race.” Okhueleigbe, an award-winning humanitarian and strategic leader, emphasized the importance of self-belief and positive affirmations. She encouraged students to define their self-worth independently and to convert negativity into positive outcomes. With an impressive career spanning tax auditing, technology, public service, and civic leadership, Okhueleigbe is the founder of P.S.L. and holds advanced certifications from prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School and the London School of Business Administration. She is widely recognized for turning passion into purpose and making a measurable impact in her fields of influence. ICE Connect, the hosting platform, is an initiative of LASU’s Department of Information and Communication Engineering. It aims to strengthen communication, collaboration, and support between students and faculty, while also equipping young engineers with real-world insights and mentorship opportunities.

FG Sets 12 Years as Minimum Age for JSS1 Admission in New Policy for Private Schools

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

The Federal Government has officially set 12 years as the minimum age for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1), as part of new guidelines released in a policy document on non-state (private) schools. The new directive, introduced by the Federal Ministry of Education and launched last week, mandates that children must first complete six years of primary education before transitioning to junior secondary school. By implication, this age requirement aligns with the expectation that students will complete their secondary education around age 18. The policy lays out a clear structure for early childhood education, stating:“Nursery education shall be of three years’ duration. Children shall be admitted into Nursery One at age three, Nursery Two at age four, and Kindergarten (one year of compulsory pre-primary education) at age five.” It continues:“Basic education shall be of nine years’ duration—six years of primary and three years of Junior Secondary School (JSS). Children shall be admitted into Primary One at age six and then into JSS1 at age twelve, following the completion of primary education.” Although the age of 18 was previously announced as the minimum for university entry by former Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, the current minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has revised the university admission age back to 16 years. The new policy document also highlights the increasing role of non-state schools in the country’s education sector. These schools, which are privately operated and often funded through tuition, donations, and community or religious support, have seen substantial growth in recent years. According to the Nigeria Education Digest 2022, non-state schools now outnumber government-run schools at the junior secondary level in at least 26 states. However, at the primary level, state schools remain dominant in 19 states. The report also reveals faster growth in the number of private schools between 2017 and 2022: The new policy is expected to standardize age-based progression in the Nigerian education system and improve oversight of private education providers across the country.

Gaza Students Take Exams for the First Time Since War Began

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Hundreds of Palestinian students in Gaza are sitting their end-of-secondary-school exams for the first time since the war began in October 2023. Despite ongoing Israeli attacks and widespread devastation, about 1,500 students are taking the crucial exams organised by Gaza’s Ministry of Education, aiming to secure a chance for university admission. The exams, conducted electronically, are part of an online initiative launched by the ministry to ensure education continues amidst the destruction of nearly all educational infrastructure in Gaza. Some students are taking the exams from home, while others are at designated centers, depending on safety conditions in their areas. Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah, highlighted that for many students, these exams represent a gateway to higher education and future opportunities. “Even in a warzone, with no classrooms, no books, and barely any internet, Gaza’s students are showing up, logging in, and sitting their final exam, refusing to let war erase their future,” he said. Due to the war, many students who should have already started university have had their education delayed. The new online exam platform, the first of its kind in Gaza, was created to allow students to complete their studies despite the ongoing conflict. However, challenges such as weak internet connections, lack of devices, and unsafe conditions remain major obstacles. Morad al-Agha, exams director for the Central Gaza Governorate, confirmed that technical preparations have been made to ensure smooth administration of the exams. Students have already participated in mock tests to familiarize themselves with the system. One student, Doha Khatab, shared the struggles of digital exams: “The internet is weak, many of us do not have devices, and there is no safe space to take the test. We also lost our books in the bombardment.” To support students, some teachers have reopened damaged classrooms to offer in-person guidance. Enam Abu Slisa, a teacher, explained, “It is the first time the ministry has done this online and students are confused, so we’re trying to guide them step by step.” According to the United Nations, 95 percent of Gaza’s educational infrastructure has been destroyed, leaving more than 660,000 children out of school. Many former school buildings are now shelters for displaced families and are still vulnerable to Israeli airstrikes. A recent report presented to the UN Human Rights Council accuses Israeli forces of systematically targeting education infrastructure in Gaza, actions described as potential war crimes.

NELFUND Warns Students Against Fake Loan Portal, Urges Caution Online

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has issued a strong warning to students and the general public about a fraudulent loan application portal and deceptive messages currently circulating on social media platforms. In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, Director of Strategic Communications at NELFUND, clarified that the information suggesting that President Bola Tinubu ordered the reopening of the student loan portal is entirely false. “The attention of NELFUND has been drawn to a fraudulent message currently circulating online, falsely claiming that President Bola Tinubu has directed the reopening of the NELFUND Student Loan portal,” the statement read. The misleading message includes a link to a fake website:https://nelfund-student-loan-2025.po-rt-al.com/NELFUND/“This website is FAKE, and the information contained in the message is false and misleading,” Oluwatuyi emphasized. She urged students, parents, and guardians to only rely on the official portal for student loan applications, which remains:🔗 https://nelf.gov.ng To protect applicants, NELFUND advised against clicking on suspicious links or sharing personal and financial information on unverified platforms. The Fund reiterated its commitment to transparency, safety, and fairness in the loan application process. For complaints or reports of suspicious activity, Oluwatuyi encouraged individuals to contact NELFUND via email at info@nelf.gov.ng or through its verified social media handles: The agency assured the public that all official announcements would be made through these platforms.

ISL Student-Athletes Smash Stereotypes With Stellar JAMB Scores

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

They are all athletes proudly wearing the colours of the International School, Lagos (ISL) at various tournaments—and they have excelled in every event. On the athletics track and basketball court, these student-athletes have consistently demonstrated exceptional talent, making ISL a formidable presence in inter-school sports competitions across the country. However, their achievements extend far beyond the sporting arena. In the classroom, they have also distinguished themselves, particularly in the recently concluded Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations, where many scored above the 300 mark. From 16-year-old Damiete Roberts, who scored an impressive 373, to 17-year-old Ayomide Oyedele, who earned 335, these students have proven that their commitment to sports has not hindered their academic performance. Others who stood out include Usman Mohammed (324), Abdulrahman Odunuga (324), Brian Alex-Nwangwu (301), Hadiyat Oladipo (305), and Olayiwola Are (328)—all of whom ranked among the top-performing students nationwide. An elated Coach Ijeoma Ernest of ISL attributed this remarkable academic feat to the unwavering commitment and collaboration between the students, the school, and their parents. “This is the result of the collective dedication of everyone involved—especially the ISL management led by the Principal, Kolawole Amusan, the parents and guardians, and the athletes themselves, who have mastered the balance between sports and academics,” Ernest said. “It’s a testament to our philosophy at ISL: we don’t just aim to excel in sports, but to nurture well-rounded, educated athletes who can thrive in any field. I’m thrilled to see our efforts bearing fruit in both arenas. We hope that future students will be inspired by this achievement and aim even higher. At ISL, we strive to be a model for schools across the country, showing that sports and education can go hand in hand without one compromising the other.”