EDUCATION
Safe School Policy: UNICEF Collaborates With Jigawa And 14 States For Local Implementation
Safe School Policy: UNICEF Collaborates With Jigawa And 14 States For Local Implementation. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has partnered with Jigawa State and 14 other Nigerian states to domesticate the Safe School Policy, amid increasing concerns over the safety of educational institutions in the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The initiative, aimed at protecting schools from attacks by non-state actors, was discussed during the inauguration of the Jigawa State Committee on Safe School in Dutse on Friday.
During his presentation, the Education Specialist at UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Mr. Muttaka Muktar, highlighted the alarming number of school closures due to security challenges.
“More than 910 schools have been destroyed by non-state actors, and at least 1,500 have been forced to close down across Nigeria,” Muktar stated.
He added that attacks on schools have intensified in recent years, particularly in the North-East, where the abduction of students has become a recurring issue.
“Armed groups have targeted approximately 1,500 schools since 2014, leading to the abduction of at least 1,413 students and 21 teachers, with 16 fatalities recorded. As of now, at least 867 schools remain closed nationwide,” Muktar revealed, underscoring the need for the Safe School Policy to be implemented in more states.
The initiative’s significance comes into sharper focus as the closure of hundreds of schools has deprived thousands of children of their right to education.
The closures have had far-reaching consequences, including disrupting learning, increasing school dropout rates, and exacerbating the problem of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
The Nigerian government had earlier endorsed the Safe School Declaration (SSD) in 2015, with former President Muhammadu Buhari signing the SSD Ratification Document in December 2019.
To bolster the initiative, the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools was approved in August 2021, setting a framework for the protection of educational institutions.
UNICEF’s support has helped several states, including Jigawa, develop implementation plans to domesticate the Safe School Policy.
However, Muktar emphasized the urgency of scaling up efforts. “While there has been a gradual year-on-year improvement, we still have a long way to go in ensuring that schools are safe for all children,” he said.
The newly inaugurated 32-member Jigawa State Safe School Committee will be responsible for implementing the policy in the state.
The committee comprises representatives from various sectors, including education, finance, security, local government, civil society organizations, development partners, traditional institutions, and other critical stakeholders.
In his address, Prof. Isa Yusuf-Chamo, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Education, praised the initiative and called on committee members to show commitment and diligence in carrying out their responsibilities.
“The selection of committee members was based on their relevance and track record of hard work. We expect nothing less than dedication in implementing this crucial policy to secure our schools,” Yusuf-Chamo said.
The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and a member of the committee, Dr. Haruna Mairiga, lauded the collaboration with UNICEF, noting its importance in addressing the pressing educational challenges in Jigawa.
“This partnership with UNICEF is a significant step toward restructuring and improving education in our state. The commitment of Governor Umar Namadi in prioritizing education safety cannot be overstated,” Mairiga remarked.
The Jigawa State Safe School Committee will begin its duties immediately, operating under terms of reference developed collaboratively by the state government and UNICEF.
The committee’s work will be vital in addressing the lingering security threats to education and ensuring that learning institutions remain sanctuaries for children rather than targets for armed groups.
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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