EDUCATION
Enugu State Government Imposes New Educational Taxes on Private Schools Amid Infrastructure Concerns
Enugu State Government Imposes New Educational Taxes on Private Schools Amid Infrastructure Concerns....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Enugu State government, under the leadership of Governor Peter Mbah, has introduced a mandatory educational tax for private schools, requiring payments ranging from N1 million to N5 million. This new directive mandates that all private schools submit these payments within three weeks of the 2024/2025 academic year, which starts on September 9, 2024.
According to information gathered by SaharaReporters, the tax structure categorizes the payments based on school type. Private primary schools are required to pay N1 million, while those offering both primary and secondary education face a hefty fee of N5 million. This shift marks a significant change from the previous administration, where educational taxes were charged per student at a rate of N300. A source commented, “The current government doesn’t consider the number of students when imposing these fees.”
As schools prepare to resume, many private school administrators have begun communicating the tax implications to parents via social media. One message shared with SaharaReporters stated, “Dear parents, the governor of Enugu State has given all private schools compulsory tax of N1 million non-negotiable. Please ensure you pay your children’s school fees alongside their textbooks, as the authorities will start collecting fees once school reopens.”
A veteran teacher, speaking anonymously, pointed out that the proliferation of private schools in Enugu State is largely due to a shortage of qualified teachers and inadequate infrastructure in government schools. “The immediate past governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, renovated many public schools, but the lack of qualified teachers remains an issue,” the teacher explained. “Parents are even hiring private tutors to help their children in public schools, often through contributions under the Parents Teachers Association (PTA).”
This teacher criticized the Mbah administration for capitalizing on the situation instead of addressing critical needs such as hiring teachers and improving public school facilities. “The government has focused on constructing its so-called smart schools rather than resolving the dire issues in existing schools,” the source added.
SaharaReporters previously reported on the overcrowding issues in Enugu’s Emene Community High School, where classrooms are severely overpopulated, often accommodating 90 to 100 students meant for 45. This lack of space hampers both teaching and learning.
Despite these ongoing challenges, efforts to reach the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or text messages.
The North-West Development Commission (NWDC) has officially commenced applications for its 2025/2026 Foreign Scholarship Programme, targeting undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD candidates from the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In an announcement released by the Commission, the initiative was described as a strategic effort to cultivate academic excellence and develop human capital within the region. The scholarship is intended to give outstanding students from Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara the opportunity to pursue higher education in prestigious international institutions.
The programme, enabled by the NWDC Act of 2024 signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aligns with the Commission’s broader mandate to drive socio-economic development and regional transformation.
Applicants may apply for scholarships in key fields such as Engineering, Medical Sciences, ICT, and Education. Eligibility criteria differ by academic level:
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Undergraduate applicants must have at least five O’Level credits including English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.
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Master’s degree seekers must hold a minimum of Second Class Upper in their Bachelor’s degree.
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PhD candidates require a Master’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 4.00.
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Age limits are 35 years for Undergraduate and Master’s applicants, and 40 years for PhD candidates.
To apply, candidates must submit documents including a CV, academic certificates, transcripts, proof of indigene status, international passport, motivation letter, and NYSC discharge or exemption certificate via the Commission’s scholarship portal: nwdc.gov.ng/scholarships.
This scholarship announcement coincides with the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF)’s own launch of the 2025/2026 Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme. The PTDF programme offers fully funded MSc and PhD education in countries like the UK, Germany, and Malaysia, and is aimed at building technical capacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Both scholarship programmes reflect a coordinated effort by the Nigerian government to strengthen local expertise and expand access to quality global education.
EDUCATION
WAEC Unveils Nigeria’s First Computer-Based WASSCE, Over 1.9 Million Students to Participate
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially announced the introduction of Nigeria’s first Computer-Based Test (CBT) format for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, starting in 2025. This move signals a major shift towards digital examination processes in the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, made the announcement during a press briefing at the Council’s office in Yaba, Lagos. According to him, the introduction of CBT for WASSCE aligns with efforts to modernize exam administration and significantly reduce incidents of malpractice.
He disclosed that no two candidates will receive identical questions, as individualized question sets will now be generated to uphold academic integrity. This innovation is part of a broader strategy to enhance transparency and fairness during examinations.
For the 2025 WASSCE, 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 secondary schools nationwide have registered—an increase of over 158,000 candidates compared to last year. The gender breakdown includes 979,228 males (49.63%) and 994,025 females (50.37%), underscoring a continued rise in female participation.
The examination will cover 74 subjects across 196 papers, and over 26,000 senior secondary school teachers are expected to act as supervisors across the country.
While acknowledging past security challenges, Dr. Dangut assured the public that WAEC has effectively tackled these issues through strategic partnerships with the Nigeria Police Force and various state governments, ensuring a smooth conduct of the examinations.
He also issued a stern warning against exam malpractice. Candidates are expected to stick to their allocated subject papers, as switching papers will lead to serious consequences. WAEC has also implemented a range of digital platforms to aid candidates in preparing for the exams. These include:
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WAEC E-Study Portal: Provides access to past questions, marking guides, and learning plans.
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WAEC E-Learning Portal: Offers performance insights and solutions to common problems.
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WAEC Konnect: A platform for real-time updates and communication with candidates and stakeholders.
Additionally, the Council cautioned against the use of fraudulent websites that claim to offer leaked exam materials. Parents and guardians were advised to avoid engaging with such platforms, which jeopardize students’ academic futures.
The results of the 2025 CBT-WASSCE are expected to be released within 45 days of the final paper, while certificates—also available in digital format—will be issued within 90 days.
Dr. Dangut reaffirmed WAEC’s dedication to conducting credible and transparent examinations, while expressing appreciation to stakeholders and the media for their ongoing support in ensuring the success of the upcoming examination.
EDUCATION
Federal Government Bars Acting Tertiary Institution Heads from Contesting for Permanent Positions
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a new policy disqualifying individuals serving as acting Vice Chancellors, Rectors, or Provosts from vying for the same positions on a substantive basis while still holding the acting role.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This decision, which affects federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, and signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Boriowo Folasade.
According to the ministry, the policy aims to prevent conflicts of interest and eliminate the undue advantage typically enjoyed by acting office holders during the selection process. It was observed that such individuals often leverage their temporary leadership positions to influence appointment outcomes, undermining the fairness and integrity of the recruitment process.
To address this, the new guideline stipulates that any acting VC, Rector, or Provost wishing to apply for the substantive role must first resign from their acting capacity. This resignation must occur within their six-month, non-renewable acting tenure for them to qualify as a candidate.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the Federal Ministry of Education is committed to reinforcing transparency, equity, and good governance in the tertiary education sector. He stated that the policy aligns with existing guidelines issued in 2013 and seeks to foster a more level playing field for all eligible candidates.
All governing councils, school management boards, and stakeholders have been urged to strictly comply with the directive, which is seen as a necessary step toward restoring public trust in leadership appointments across the nation’s tertiary institutions.
The Ministry further expressed gratitude for stakeholders’ continued support and reaffirmed its dedication to advancing quality education through transparent and accountable leadership.
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