“In Nigeria, the declining rate of education appears to have hampered the next generation’s ability to think critically, innovate and solve problems. It also stifles social mobility and perpetuates inequality thus impacting social cohesion.

In Lagos, overcrowded classrooms, insufficient facilities, and unqualified teachers hinder students from receiving a quality education. This has led to a lack of understanding and appreciation for diverse perspectives, making it harder for people to engage in meaningful dialogue and cooperation, understand their rights and responsibilities, and more likely to hold onto stereotypes and prejudices.

Quality education promoted tolerance and understanding, which are essential for social cohesion in diverse societies, “The Kukah Centre report said. The report came following engagement of the centre with multiple stakeholders through dialogue, advocacy, and collaboration with a view to providing a platform for stakeholders to convene and provide insights into dynamic issues

The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has extended scholarships to 5,026 students for the 2023/2024 academic year.

The number constitutes fresh scholarships for the just-ended academic year that covered tuition fees to the tune of GH¢33.74 million for the beneficiaries in 145 local tertiary (public and private) institutions.
The 2023/2024 scholarships also reflect an increase of 15 per cent compared with the 2022/2023 academic year that had 4,276 awardees to the tune of GH¢25 million.

This is an increase in financial commitments of GH¢8 million, representing 24 per cent rise. Out of the total awarded beneficiaries of 5,026, males constituted 2,733, representing 54 per cent, while the remaining 2,293, representing 46 per cent, were females.

Foreign education cost Nigeria $28.65bn from 2010 to 2020, with personal transport allowance totaling $58.7bn, a report by the Office of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, quoting the Central Bank of Nigeria, has disclosed.

In a statement, the office noted that redirecting a portion of the funds to ventures within the country could have significantly strengthened the naira, adding that promoting transnational education in the country “is pivotal for boosting the economy” and alleviating forex pressure.

The statement also noted that offering scholarships and fostering partnerships for in-country foreign education delivery could help Nigeria attract more transnational education providers, solidifying its position as Africa’s largest market for international education.

0ver 1,400 schools have been destroyed, and more than 2,295 teachers killed in Nigeria since 2009 to date.
The acting vice chancellor Al-Muhibbah Open University, Abuja, Prof. Ahmed Salisu Garba, stated this while presenting a paper titled “Justifying the need for a legal framework on school safety in Bauchi State and Nigeria at large.”

Garba said the threat to Nigeria’s schools is not theoretical, it is a harsh and present reality. The ripple effects are devastating-communities are destabilized, families are torn apart, and the future of a generation is at risk.

Prof. Ahmed spoke at the Public Hearing of the Bauchi State Schools Safety, Security and Violence-Free Bill, 2024, held at American Space, Bauchi State Library, Bauchi, on Monday. The hearing was organised by the Women Advocates Research and Development Centre (WARDC) and the Syndicate in Supporting Women and Children Initiative (SISWACHI).

The British Government has awarded prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to 82 Nigerian students for the 2024 academic year. This year, 32 Nigerians were selected for the Chevening scholarships, while 50 were awarded the Commonwealth scholarships.

These scholarships will enable recipients to pursue master’s and PhD programmes in the United Kingdom.
This was according to a statement from the British High Commission, Abuja on Friday by the Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe.

The selection process, renowned for its competitiveness, culminated in a pre-departure ceremony held on Thursday in Abuja for scholars from the capital and surrounding regions.

Ethiopia has initiated its first comprehensive training program for over 20,000 trainers to enhance understanding of policies, reforms, and disciplines, the Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLS) announced.

During a press briefing yesterday, MoLS Minister Muferihat Kamil revealed that the ministry has launched the first-ever Training of Trainers (ToT) program for 23,957 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) instructors across 17 centers nationwide. The primary goal of this training is to foster a unified understanding among trainers in all technical and vocational institutes regarding policies, reforms, and professional conduct.

She further explained that the training aims to improve the capabilities of trainers, enhance the sector’s image, and ensure a consistent approach among educators. Key aspects of the training include promoting new ideas in the field, understanding the role of trainers, appreciating education and training policies, fostering entrepreneurship education, developing soft skills, innovation in pedagogy, digital integration, professional identity, and enhancing training quality in TVET.

Over the past four decades, Ghana has set itself apart and made noteworthy strides in Early Childhood Education (ECE), recognising its crucial role in a child's development.

We are one of the few countries that have committed to providing two years of formal pre-primary education and in more recent years, have placed a focus on the implementation of a play-based curriculum through partnerships with organisations such as Lively Minds and the scaling of our inset package for teachers with Sabre Education.

Ghana's partnership with Lively Minds to scale play-based learning across eight regions and the extensive work we have done with Sabre Education in the development of our inset package for ECE teachers which focuses on play-based learning are clear examples of what we are doing right.

Honourable Adewumi Adeyemi, representing Obokun State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly has completed the second phase of his Entrepreneurship Training Program, empowering 200 young women with essential skills and knowledge to build successful businesses.

The three-day event, held in Ilare-Ijesa, was in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, and the Adewumi Adeyemi Foundation. The lawmaker in July had trained and empowered 200 women in entrepreneurship from his constituency.

The training, according to him, aims to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial knowledge and skills, fostering economic self-reliance and sustainable development. The program, in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre and the Adewumi Adeyemi Foundation, aims to empower women through education and provide practical tools for economic empowerment.

Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, has partnered with the United Nations Children’s Fund to train 5,000 adolescent girls and young women in ICT-related skills, aiming to provide them with more secure livelihoods.
The initiative also involves the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Generation Unlimited.

At the unveiling of the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership Program, Yabatech’s Rector, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, emphasised the initiative’s commitment to empowering young women with the education and skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

He stated, “We will train 1,750 primary beneficiaries aged 13-24 years in four ICT skills: Computer Hardware Repair, Mobile Phone Repair, Website Development, and Mobile Application Development.

The Federal Government has prohibited individuals under the age of 18 from taking part in the National Examinations Council and West African Examinations Council exams. The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman disclosed this when he featured on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ program on Sunday night.

He added that the age limit for candidates sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, remains set at 18 years.

Mamman explained that the federal government has directed WAEC, which conducts the West African Senior School Certificate Examination and NECO, which oversees the Senior School Certificate Examination to enforce the 18-year age requirement for candidates wishing to take these exams.

The NEPL/Seplat Energy Joint Venture (JV) has launched the 5th edition of its transformative Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP), marking a significant milestone in its commitment to education.

Since its inception, STEP has empowered 1,373 individuals, including 1,264 secondary school teachers and 109 Chief Inspectors of Education (CIEs) across Edo, Delta states and host communities, equipping them with essential skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).

This initiative has not only enhanced the quality of education but has also ignited creativity and innovation within classrooms. This continued investment by the NEPL/Seplat JV underscores its unwavering commitment to elevating education in its host states and communities.

The Federal Government through the Rural Electrification Agency has installed power plants in six federal universities as part of efforts to provide reliable power to critical sectors of society.

This was as the agency stated that it had made significant strides in advancing Nigeria’s electrification projects. This is according to a recent briefing provided by the agency’s Managing Director, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr Wale Edun.

The institutions include the University of Abuja, University of Maiduguri, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Umudike, Federal University Gashua in Yobe, the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, and the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna.