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Tag: Education

  • NIGERIA’S EDUCATION CRISIS: WHY THE WAR AGAINST UNEARNED TITLES MATTERS

    NIGERIA’S EDUCATION CRISIS: WHY THE WAR AGAINST UNEARNED TITLES MATTERS

     

     

    By Adenekan Shogunle, fsi

    When Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that recipients of honorary doctorates should no longer use the title “Dr.” in official settings, the reaction was immediate. Critics dismissed the policy as a trivial distraction from the nation’s systemic rot: millions of out-of-school children, collapsing infrastructure, and the mass production of unemployable graduates.

    These concerns are valid, but the dismissal is shortsighted. The misuse of academic titles is not a distraction from the collapse of Nigerian education; it is a primary symptom, and a driver, of that collapse.

    Over the years, anti-corruption agencies and regulatory institutions have also uncovered networks of unaccredited degree-awarding institutions operating within and outside Nigeria. The ICPC-NUC, through its University System Study And Review Report of 2012 and subsequent enforcement actions which led to the forced closure of 62 unaccredited academic degree awarding institutions in Nigeria, exposed deep-rooted abuses in the sector, including the activities of degree mills selling certificates and honorary titles for financial gain.

    Nigeria’s educational decay did not begin with empty laboratories. It began with the erosion of respect for merit and intellectual discipline. A nation that fails to distinguish between earned excellence and purchased prestige eventually hollows out its institutions. In such an environment, restoring boundaries around academic titles is not pettiness. The Minister’s directive, approved by the Federal Executive Council in April, 2026 is therefore, an essential act of institutional hygiene.

    THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN HONOUR AND SCHOLARSHIP

    The phrase ‘honoris causa’ is Latin for “for the sake of honour.” Globally, these degrees are ceremonial recognitions of philanthropy or leadership. They are not academic qualifications. They do not involve research, peer review, or the rigorous defense of a thesis.

    While the international standard dictates that recipients use the suffix “PhD (h.c.)” rather than the prefix “Dr.,” Nigerians have developed a social obsession with titles. Here, academic honours are often aggressively sought, publicly advertised, and socially weaponized. This creates a “credential theatre”, the performance of expertise without the discipline of it and that devalues the years of intellectual labor required to earn a genuine doctorate. When status can be negotiated or bought, the incentive for actual scholarship disappears.

    A CULTURE OF MORAL AND INSTITUTIONAL CORROSION

    The obsession for titles feeds a wider ecosystem of corruption that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) continues to battle. The same culture that seeks unearned titles also fosters:

    i. Fake universities and certificate racketeering

    ii. Examination malpractice and plagiarism

    iii. “Sorting” and the inflation of résumés.

    iv. Predatory sexual exploitation for grades.

    The link between a “title-hungry” society and campus safety is direct: when academic power is viewed as a badge of status rather than a symbol of discipline, it is easily abused.

    This is why ICPC has continued to investigate and prosecute sexual harassment and abuse of power as corruption, and in collaboration with partners like the Gender Mobile Initiative, has pushed for dissemination and adoption of model anti-sexual harassment policies in educational institutions. Corruption in education is not merely financial; it is ethical and psychological.

    RESTORING THE VALUE OF KNOWLEDGE

    Critics are right: banning a prefix will not build a new classroom. However, meaningful reform must be holistic; addressing infrastructure, finance, and ethics simultaneously. We cannot fix the educational system while glorifying shortcuts.

    A system where titles matter more than learning produces universities that function as ceremonial factories rather than centers of innovation.

    TECHNOLOGY AS AN ENFORCEMENT TOOL: THE NERD PROJECT

    Beyond policy, the Federal Government has deployed a powerful digital enforcement tool: the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD). This initiative is designed to end certificate fraud by assigning a National Credential Number (NCN) and QR code to every diploma and transcript issued in Nigeria.

    By mandating that all academic reports be deposited into this central database, the NERD system ensures that expertise is a verifiable digital asset.

    In fact, compliance with the NERD standard is now a mandatory prerequisite for NYSC mobilization, effectively closing the door on the era of “arrangee” qualifications. No NERD clearance means no NYSC mobilization.

    It shows the government isn’t just banning titles but investing in technology to make fraud impossible.

    ICPC’s FRONTLINE ENFORCEMENT

    The necessity of such digital tracking is underscored by the ICPC’s enforcement activities. Acting on intelligence, the Commission has repeatedly stormed and dismantled fake NYSC orientation camps across the country. These operations have exposed networks of individuals masquerading as graduates, often using forged documents to infiltrate the national service scheme and civil service with disastrous consequences.

    Combined with the forced closure of 62 unaccredited “degree mills,” these actions highlight a disturbing reality: without strict boundaries around titles and credentials, our national identity, productivity and security are at risk.

    WHAT’S NEXT: FROM POLICY TO PARTICIPATION

    The war against unearned titles and educational decay is a collective one. Banning prefixes in official settings is only effective if citizens, institutions, and regulatory bodies actively police the boundaries of academic integrity. To move from policy to lasting reform, the following actions are critical:

    1. Verify Before You Celebrate

    Before acknowledging an institution or a title, verify its legitimacy. The National Universities Commission (NUC) regularly publishes a list of illegal universities operating in Nigeria. If an institution is not on the NUC-approved list, its degrees, honorary or earned, carry no legal weight.

    2. Report Degree Mills and Fraud

    If you have information on “degree mills” selling certificates or individuals using forged credentials, report them directly to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    Online Petition: Submit a formal complaint via the ICPC Petition Portal.

    Toll-Free Hotline: Call 0800-CALL-ICPC (0800-2255-4272) to report acts of corruption anonymously.

    3. Break the Silence on Campus Abuse

    To restore the moral foundation of our institutions, we must eliminate the culture of exploitation. Students and staff facing sexual harassment should leverage technology for safe, confidential reporting:

    Campus Pal App: Download the Campus Pal App (developed by Gender Mobile Initiative in partnership with the ICPC) to report and track cases of harassment anonymously.

    Direct Reporting: Contact the ICPC’s Anti-Sexual Harassment Unit for institutional intervention.

    4. Demand Institutional Accountability

    Academic institutions must lead by example. Universities should digitalize their records for ease of verification and strictly adhere to the NUC Guidelines on the award of honorary degrees.

    The prefix “Dr.” should be a badge of discipline, not a commodity for sale. By using these reporting channels, every Nigerian can help ensure that academic titles, and the education they represent, mean something again.

    CONCLUSION

    The Minister’s policy is a return to global best practices. It raises a fundamental question: In a country battling institutional collapse, should academic titles still mean something?

    If the answer is yes, then we must protect the sanctity of the process. The war against educational decay cannot stop at prefixes, but it must include them. Restoring integrity to the sector begins with the simple realization that scholarship cannot be gifted; it must be earned and verified.

    -(Adenekan Shogunle, fsi, is the ICPC Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for Edo State.)

  • ASUU:  FG Vows to Invoke no Work , no Pay Rule as it Urges Union to Shelve Strike

    ASUU:  FG Vows to Invoke no Work , no Pay Rule as it Urges Union to Shelve Strike

     

    By Boriowo Folasade

    Abuja:  The Federal Government has urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to shelf its decision to embark on an industrial strike, emphasising that constructive dialogue remains the most effective and sustainable path toward resolving all outstanding issues in the tertiary education sector.

    In a joint statement, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, and the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, disclosed that the Federal Government has made a comprehensive offer to the union and is still awaiting ASUU’s official response.

    They emphasised that the offer addresses the union’s primary concerns, including working conditions, institutional governance, and staff welfare.

    The Ministers noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved a robust Teaching Allowance designed to reflect the value of academic work and motivate lecturers across public universities.

    “All matters relating to the review of conditions of service have been duly addressed, except those within the jurisdiction of individual university governing councils, which are actively being handled. The Federal Government remains open and committed to continued engagement with ASUU once their formal response to the offer is received,” the statement read.

    They emphasised that the federal government has approached the matter with demonstrable commitment and sincerity, evident in its prompt policy responses and financial interventions in the education sector. However, ASUU has not reciprocated this gesture and appears determined to proceed with the planned strike despite the pending offer and ongoing engagement.

    The Ministers reaffirmed that the administration of President Tinubu remains unwavering in its commitment to the welfare of Nigerian lecturers and the stability of the university system. They noted that the ongoing reforms in the education sector are anchored on fairness, accountability, and institutional strengthening to ensure sustainable academic excellence.

    While reaffirming the administration’s respect for university autonomy, the Ministers clarified that certain aspects of ASUU’s demands—particularly those relating to internal governance, appointments, and promotions—are statutory responsibilities of university governing councils. They urged the union to allow these matters to be handled appropriately at the institutional level in line with existing regulations.

    They also reminded the union that the principle of “No Work, No Pay” remains an extant provision of Nigerian labour law, and the Federal Government will invoke it should ASUU proceed with the strike.

    “While government remains committed to peaceful dialogue, it will equally enforce existing laws to protect the integrity of our education system and ensure accountability,” the statement warned.

    The Ministers further assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remains open to constructive engagement with ASUU and other stakeholders in the education sector. They noted that the administration’s consistent interventions demonstrate a clear commitment to revitalising universities, improving staff welfare, and ensuring uninterrupted academic calendars.

    “The government has shown sincerity and commitment through engagements and policy actions. We are confident that, with continued dialogue, every legitimate concern can be addressed and resolved without shutting down our campuses. Our students must remain in school,” the statement added.

    “The future of our children and the stability of our universities must take priority over disputes. The Federal Government remains open to discussion and is ready to work with ASUU to consolidate the gains already achieved in staff welfare, infrastructure, and institutional reforms,” the Ministers concluded.

    (Boriowo Folasade is the  Director, Press and Public Relations,FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION)

     

  • NELFUND: FG Commits ₦90bn To Support 400,000 Tertiary Students

    NELFUND: FG Commits ₦90bn To Support 400,000 Tertiary Students

     

     

    A total of 780,089 students have registered on the platform, while 788,842 applications have been received.

     

     

    The  Federal Government has committed more than ₦90 billion to the education and welfare of more than 400, 000 students across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

    This was disclosed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Idris disclosed during a courtesy visit from a platform of State Commissioners of Information led by the Borno State Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, that the President’s initiative through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has supported the students to continue their education without financial difficulties.

    The Fund was introduced by President Bola Tinubu as part of efforts to expand access to higher education and reduce the burden of tuition and living expenses on students and their families.

    Since its rollout, the scheme has attracted attention as one of the administration’s flagship interventions in education. It provides direct financial assistance to students to prevent disruptions in their studies due to economic hardship.

    The Minister explained that the support covers more than tuition fees, as students also benefit from upkeep allowances, stressing that the President’s vision is to ensure that all Nigerians benefit from government policies regardless of political affiliation or religion.

    “The Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu has committed N90 billion to NELFUND. Tinubu’s vision is that, on no account, should a Nigerian child of school age be denied going to a tertiary institution,” Idris said

    “Therefore, this amount is not for school fees alone but also for upkeep of over 400,000 students across different tertiary institutions in the country,” he noted

    “Nigeria under Tinubu is on the path to prosperity. This is my message to you. We are in government to serve the interests of all, irrespective of political parties.”

    According to the daily status report generated on September 3, a total of 780,089 students have registered on the platform, while 788,842 applications have been received. Out of these, 449,039 students have so far benefited from the scheme.

    Idris also urged Nigerians to look beyond political affiliations when assessing government initiatives, saying,

    “If you will not listen to me because I was appointed by President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, don’t forget that your children need the NELFUND to stay in school. And also your people who have cancer need treatment and would have to access the Cancer Screening and treatment Centre/Oncology that Tinubu provided,” Idris said.

    He reiterated that Tinubu’s leadership is for the collective good of Nigerians, irrespective of religion or political party.

    As of August 6, 2025, disbursements had reached ₦86.3 billion, with ₦47.6 billion allocated to cover institutional fees across 218 beneficiary institutions, while ₦38.7 billion was paid directly to students as upkeep allowances.

  • Funding cuts may push 6m more children out of school, UNICEF warns

    Funding cuts may push 6m more children out of school, UNICEF warns

    By Tiamiyu Prudence Arobani

    New York, Aug. 3, 2025. Global education funding is facing sharp reductions that could leave an extra six million children out of school by 2026, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned.

    UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said Official Development Assistance (ODA) for education is projected to fall by 3.2 billion dollars.

    This represents a 24 per cent drop from 2023, with just three donor governments accounting for nearly 80 per cent of the cuts.

    Such a decline would push the number of out-of-school children worldwide from 272 million to 278 million, UNICEF said.

    “Every dollar cut from education is not just a budgetary decision, it’s a child’s future hanging in the balance,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said.

    “Investing in children’s education is one of the best investments in the future-for everyone. Countries do better when their children are educated and healthy, and it contributes to a more stable and prosperous world.”

    The heaviest impact of funding shortfalls is expected in regions that are already vulnerable, especially, West and Central Africa.

    Africa could see 1.9 million children lose access to school, while 1.4 million more could be pushed out across the Middle East and North Africa.

    In total, 28 countries stand to lose at least a quarter of the education aid they rely on. Côte d’Ivoire and Mali face some of the steepest risks, with enrolment projected to fall by 340,000 and 180,000 students respectively.

    Primary education will be hit hardest, with funding expected to drop by one-third. UNICEF warned this could deepen the global learning crisis and cost those children affected an estimated 164 billion dollars in lost lifetime earnings.

    In humanitarian contexts, the cuts could be devastating while UNICEF said the crisis would also threaten vital services.

    School feeding programmes, sometimes a child’s only reliable meal, could see funding halved, while support for girls’ education is likely to shrink.

    At least 290 million children who remain in classrooms could also face a decline in learning quality.

    UNICEF is calling on donors to direct at least half of all education aid to least developed countries, safeguard humanitarian funding, and prioritise early years and primary schooling.

    It also urges reforms to make financing more efficient and sustainable.

  • FG Introduces New curriculum for basic, senior secondary and technical schools

    FG Introduces New curriculum for basic, senior secondary and technical schools

     

    – New Curriculum to reduce subject overload and encourage deeper learning

    The Federal Government has rolled out a new curriculum for basic, senior secondary, and technical schools to reduce subject overload and encourage deeper learning

    Under the revised structure, pupils and students will take fewer subjects with richer content tailored to their levels Primary school children will handle between 9 and 12 subjects, while senior secondary students will take 8 to 9, and technical students 9 to 11 D

    The reform, announced by the Ministry of Education, seeks to ease content overload, reduce the number of subjects taken at each stage, and create more space for practical and deeper learning. New curriculum for basic, secondary, and technical education launched nationwide.
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    Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, explained that the review was developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

    FG unveils new curriculum for primary and secondary schools in Nigeria, lists changes According to her, the goal is to balance quality and workload while ensuring schools nationwide adopt the framework under strict monitoring.

    Below are key five changes to note: 1. Primary 1–3 Pupils at this stage will now take between 9 and 10 subjects. The core subjects are English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and Technology, Culture and Creative Arts, Religion and National Values, and one Nigerian language. 2. Primary 4–6 Pupils will be required to take 10 to 12 subjects. Core areas are English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and Technology, Culture and Creative Arts, Religion and National Values,

    Pre-Vocational Studies, and a Nigerian language. WAEC poor results push FG to overhaul school curriculum for better education standards.

    Junior Secondary School Students will now take 12 to 14 subjects. Core subjects include English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and Technology, Culture and Creative Arts, Religion and National Values, Pre-Vocational Studies, Business Studies, French, and a Nigerian language.

    4. Senior Secondary School – Students at this level will take between 8 and 9 subjects. The core list includes English Language, Mathematics, Civic Education, Humanities, Trade/Entrepreneurship Studies, Science and Mathematics, Technology, and Business Studies. 5. Technical Schools Technical students are expected to take 9 to 11 subjects under the new structure.

    The ministry said the curriculum overhaul followed years of calls for reform. The last review for secondary schools was in 2011, while basic education was last updated in 2014.

    More recently, in 2024, new occupational trades were added to promote practical skills such as digital literacy, robotics, plumbing, solar installation, and garment-making. Prof. Ahmad noted that although students will take fewer subjects, the content has been improved for stronger knowledge acquisition. “Although pupils and students go now take lesser subjects, however, di koko na say dem don improve di content to allow for deeper learning,” she stated.

     

  • Ede Poly Rector Advocate inter-governmental Agency Synergy

    Ede Poly Rector Advocate inter-governmental Agency Synergy

    Rector Advocate inter-governmental Agency Synergy

    The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Engr Dr. Sani Man Yahaya, fnse has called for a closer relationship between security agencies and the Federal Polytechnic, Ede

    He made this call on Wednesday, 25th June, 2025, during an interactive meeting with the new Area Commander, Osun State Police Command, ACP Tayo Ogunjemisin

    Engr Dr. Man Yahaya, while thanking the Nigerian Police Force for their past collaboration and effective maintenance of law and order, also charged them to see themselves as part of the Polytechnic Community

     

    He said, “You are all aware of many security challenges facing the country presently. Therefore, l want to implore you to please continue with your good efforts in securing the institution in case of any emergency

    The Rector also told the visiting Area Commander that it is when the Polytechnic Community is well secured that the entire staff and students can go about their normal duties unhindered

    In his remarks, the representative of the Council Chairman, Prof. Gbadebo Olagunju pledged on behalf of the 7th Governing Council to collaborate with the management to make the institution a crisis free environment, Prof. Olagunju also used the occasion to advise students to shun any act capable of tarnishing the good reputation of the Polytechnic

    Earlier in his adress, the new Area Commander, ACP Tayo Ogunjemisin promised to sustain the good rapport which has been in existence for long between the police and the Polytechnic, he therefore advised the students to shun cultism and other social vices capable of destroying their future

    Present at the occasion were members of the Governing Council, Rector, and top management of the institution

    E-signed
    Sola Lawal, mnipr
    Ag. Director, Information, Protocol, and Public Relations.

  • NTI plans to create study centres in 774 LGAs — Director

    NTI plans to create study centres in 774 LGAs — Director

    By Moses Kolo

    Kaduna, June 2, 2025 (FBN) The National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) plans to establish study centres in all the 774 local governments in Nigeria, according to its Director and Chief Executive, Prof. Sadiya Sani-Daura.

    Sani-Daura disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna in a special interview to mark the two years anniversary of President Bola Tinubu.

    The director said,”These study centres will be fully equipped and adequately staffed so that they can function effectively.

    “This move is part of our modest efforts to make NTI easily accessible by all Nigerians no matter their places of domicile.

    “Already, we have state-of-the-art zonal and state centres and we will leverage on this feat to make the planned LGA centres to succeed.”

    According to Sani-Daura, the institute is fully committed to ensuring that all teachers in the country fully upgrade their capacities.

    She added,”Everybody can update and improve his or her capacity. We are out to ensure that all Nigerian teachers achieve this in no distant time.”

    This, she said, was extremely imperative so that teachers in Nigeria would not lag behind, adding, “this is to make them to be in tune with extant global trends in teaching and learning.

    “The world has moved on,leveraging on emerging technologies, new teaching and learning methods, hence teachers in Nigeria must urgently catch up with the world.”

    Meanwhile, Sani-Daura has vowed to make NTI the truly world-class teacher training institution that it ought to be in line with its statutory mandates.

    To this effect, the director disclosed that it has since commenced the award of Degrees, Post-Graduate Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Education.

    According to her, this is being done affiliation with some Universities like ABU Zaria, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, University of Maiduguri and the Nmadi Azikiwe University, among others.

    Sani-Daura stated, “Education is very critical to providing plausible solutions to practically all the seemingly formidable problems plaguing Nigeria.

    “Yes, with proper attention given to the education sector at all levels, we will get solutions to all our problems including crimes and criminality.”

  • 19-year-old UTME candidate commits suicide over ‘low score

    19-year-old UTME candidate commits suicide over ‘low score

    Opesusi Faith Timilehin, a candidate of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, has committed suicide in Lagos State.

     

    The 19-year-old reportedly died on Monday after consuming ‘Push Out’ rat poison due to scoring 190 in the just-released Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) result.

     

    According to Guardian newspaper, Timilehin, who was living with her elder sister in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, was said to have sat for the same examination in 2024, and her last year’s result was better than this year.

     

    An eyewitness explained that the deceased, at her sister’s office, requested palm oil to ease the pain she was going through after taking the poison at home.

     

    “But her sister, who didn’t initially know the cause of the pain, ignored her and later raised an alarm after Timilehin confessed on the way to the hospital that she had taken poison at home,” the source stated

     

    The shocking revelation is that she was given an admission message via her Gmail yesterday, immediately after she was confirmed dead at Kolak Hospital, Odogunyan,” the source added.

     

    DAILY POST reports that UTME is a computer-based examination introduced by JAMB in 1978 for prospective undergraduates in Nigeria.

  • BREAKING: Federal Colleges Of Education To Now Award Bachelor’s Degrees

    BREAKING: Federal Colleges Of Education To Now Award Bachelor’s Degrees

     

    Announcing the policy rollout in Abuja, the Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa described the implementation as a bold and progressive step.

    The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa.

    The Federal Government of Nigeria announced on Friday that it has officially begun implementing the Dual Mandate Policy in all Federal Colleges of Education, in line with the provisions of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023.

    According to a statement by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, this legislation, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, empowers FCOEs to concurrently award the Nigeria Certificate in Education and Bachelor’s Degrees in Education — marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s teacher education reform.

    Announcing the policy rollout in Abuja, the Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa described the implementation as a bold and progressive step.

    “The Dual Mandate Policy represents not just a reform but a revolution in teacher preparation — enabling FCOEs to offer both NCE and Bachelor’s degrees. This initiative empowers institutions, broadens access, and enhances the quality of classroom instruction across Nigeria.”

    According to the Act, all FCOEs that meet the National Universities Commission standards are now eligible to operate under the Dual Mandate. This inclusive policy ensures that institutions, regardless of their establishment date, can participate once the stipulated requirements are met.

    The Minister emphasized the policy’s impact, noting that offering degrees within FCOEs equips educators with higher competencies to meet the evolving demands of the education sector. It also expands access to higher education by providing an alternative route to earn Education degrees outside the traditional university system.

    The Dual Mandate addresses multiple challenges simultaneously, including curbing declining enrolment, preserving institutional relevance, and eliminating the need for university affiliations in the issuance of degrees.

    Furthermore, the policy grants greater autonomy to FCOEs in curriculum development and implementation, enabling them to respond more swiftly to emerging trends and needs in the teaching profession.

    Reaffirming the government’s commitment to revitalizing education, the Minister stated: “No nation can rise above the quality of its teachers. This policy strengthens the foundation of our education system—ensuring that every teacher is trained, qualified, and prepared.”

    The inclusion of eligible FCOEs in the Dual Mandate Programme marks a vital step toward advancing Nigeria’s educational development.