The Federal Government has challenged universities and other tertiary institutions in the country to be at the forefront of conducting cutting-edge research and innovation for Nigeria to thrive in the knowledge economy.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Nasir Sani- Gwarzo, made the call at a stakeholders’ event organised by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in Abuja. He urged the institution to think creatively about how to leverage TETFund resources not only for infrastructural development but also for fostering research that addresses national challenges, drives economic growth, and contributes to global knowledge.

Sani- Gwarzo, who was represented by the Director Special Duties, Zubairu Abdullahi, noted that TETFund, over the years, had been transformative, as it had provided vital support to universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, presented a proposed budget estimate of N678,086,767,322.18 to the state House of Assembly for legislative consideration and approval.

Makinde, while presenting the budget, tagged, “Budget of Economic Stabilisation,” said it was 35 per cent higher compared to the 2024 budget. He said, “Out of the budget, capital expenditure gulped N349.29bn, representing 50.59 per cent while N325.57bn is allocated to recurrent expenditure, representing 49.41 per cent of the budget.

“Infrastructure sector gets the lion’s share of the budget with a sum of N152,265,859, representing 22.46 per cent, followed by education with a sum of N145,257,783,399 representing 21.44 per cent of the budget. He assured the citizens that his administration would continue to accord priority to their welfare.

Chairman, Brace Foundation for Children, Dr Gabriel Ogbechie, said there is a need to increase awareness, education, and resources to help children with special needs, integrate into society and live fulfilling lives. Ogbechie spoke at a one-day Special Needs Empowerment Workshop in Lagos, organised by the foundation. It was titled, ‘Special Needs: Effective Living.’

Ogbechie stressed the importance of collaboration between key stakeholders, government, families, schools, and society if meaningful change was to take place. He said, “The children with special needs we see today are often struggling in school, struggling to fit into society, and struggling to live meaningful, fulfilling lives.

“We recognised this gap and felt it was important to bring in resources to help these children live better lives and integrate more effectively into society.” Drawing attention to the need for awareness, Ogbechie reflected on the societal stigma that still surrounds children with special needs.

The new Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has been advised to make teaching and learning more practical and aligned with the development needs of society. Alausa was appointed on October 24, 2024, following a cabinet reshuffle.

Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, Dr Dele Ashiru of the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, said that the Minister of Education should work assiduously to ensure that education in Nigeria is decolonised and made more functional.

“In doing this, there’s the need to review the curriculum to make teaching and learning more functional and tailored towards the development of our society.” “The government must remove all the encumbrances that discourage students from wilfully applying to go to tertiary institutions other than the University.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation unveiled a two-day training program on Artificial Intelligence and robotics for Nigerian teachers and students. The event, held at the UNESCO office in Abuja, was organised in collaboration with Infinix Nigeria and Google.

In his address to the participants, UNESCO Head in Abuja, Abdourahamane Diallo, emphasised the critical role of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education in fostering sustainable development.

He noted that STEM programs were vital for building the scientific, engineering, and research capacity needed to address global challenges such as environmental sustainability and public health. “As important as STEM education is, many sub-Saharan African countries lack the necessary teaching tools, have outdated curricula in basic computer science, and suffer from poorly equipped laboratories.

The European Union (EU) has launched an educational support project called ‘Accelerating Basic Education and Livelihood Opportunities (ABEP) for Children and Youth’ in northwest Nigeria. The three-year programme will be implemented in partnership with Save the Children International, PLAN International, and DAG in Jigawa, Kano, and Sokoto states.

Tobi Ransomed, the Consortium Team Lead, said at a one-day project kick-off workshop in Dutse on Wednesday that the programme aims to reach approximately 400,000 out-of-school children and nomadic populations.

Ransomed added that women, girls, youth, and other vulnerable groups are also targeted to improve access to quality, inclusive, gender- and conflict-sensitive education. She explained that the programme will begin by identifying learning facilitators and centres through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Nomadic Education Commission.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Barrister Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has disclosed that poor funding and inadequate infrastructure are the major problems hindering educational development in the country.

Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made these assertions while delivering the 18th Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso Alumni annual lecture.

Alli, while delivering the lecture titled “Revamping Nigeria’s Education: Addressing Challenges, Alumni Contributions, and Funding Strategies,” emphasized the urgent need for a collaborative approach to reform Nigeria’s education sector. He used the opportunity to call on alumni, government, and private sector partners to play active roles in addressing the challenges facing the sector.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) will hold a five-day Research and Exhibition fair on Sunday at the Eagles Square in Abuja. The fund’s Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, has challenged Nigerian inventors to showcase their talents with the possibility of being supported by the Fund and other anticipated investors.

According to recent reports, Nigeria has one of the largest annual turn-out of PhD holders in Africa. Yet, the nation has not made so much progress in terms of inventions and innovations for industrialization and national development, despite the potentials available in regional and sub-regional markets.

With the number of universities and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria, it is time to turn the institutions to innovation centres and reduce dependence on, and importation of products and items that could be manufactured in Nigeria.

The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule has called for a bold and decisive action within the educational sector. Sule stated this at the maiden conference of The College of Specialized and Professional Education (COSPED), Lagos State University of Education, entitled: Rethinking the Nigerian Education System for Best Global Practices, at the 360 Conference Hall, Odo-Noforija, Epe Campus.

The Commissioner, who was ably represented by a Director in the ministry, Mrs Oluwakemi Kalesanwo, praised the state’s educational reform, including curriculum updates, skills development, and technology integration.

The Commissioner, therefore, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to educational quality and relevance, ensuring Nigerian students learn in environments that nurture their abilities and prepare them for global success.

The Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) Dr. John O. Asein has again stressed the need for every university to have an Intellectual Property (IP) Policy so as to maximize their innovative and creative potentials.

Dr. Asein made this point while formally presenting the revised Model Intellectual Property (IP) Policy to the General Assembly of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) in Abuja. Dr. Asein also called on tertiary institutions, as centres of learning and research, to introduce their faculties and students to the subject of intellectual property in line with global trends and to make Nigerian universities globally competitive.

He maintained that the Model Policy, which was developed by the Commission in collaboration with the CVCNU in 2021 was reissued as part of the Commission’s renewed effort to promote its adoption and implementation.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has said it had collected N1.5 trillion as Education Tax son far this year. The fund’s Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, who announced this at a stakeholders’ engagement yesterday in Abuja, said the amount was a record-breaking achievement.

Echono said the increase was made possible by the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to increase the tax from 2.5 per cent to 3 per cent last year. The TETFund boss explained that the revenue generated through the education tax plays a significant role in maintaining and improving infrastructure at the nation’s institutions, enhancing academic programmes, and promoting accessibility for students from diverse backgrounds.

He said: “The increase last year, in the Education Tax from 2.5 per cent to 3 per cent – authorised by the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represents a significant stride for TETFund. This change, culminating in a record-breaking Education Tax collection of approximately N1.5 trillion so far this year, reinforces the government’s dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s educational framework.

NO country can go beyond the quality of its human capital, it is therefore important that Nigeria overhauls its education system for effectiveness, relevance and global competitiveness.

Making this declaration on Monday was the former Vice Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) and a professor of Political Science at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Oluwafemi Mimiko, while delivering the maiden public lecture of the KolaDaisi University, (KDU), Ibadan, Nigeria, held at the Sherifat Agbeke Auditorium of the institution.

Professor Miimiko on the topic: ‘Why should Regular Nation-Building Challenges Continue to Undercut Nigeria’s Development Possibilities? Lessons from Elsewhere.’ He posited that if Nigerian education must be at par with what obtains in other developed nations of the world, special attention must be paid in particular to mainstreaming Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which he affirmed constitutes the lynchpin of any modern society.