Education

Parents and other stakeholders of King’s College, Lagos, have mobilised for a mass protest against the Federal Government’s decision to concession the 116-year-old institution to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association, KCOBA. The Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association, Peter Oluwaseye, said the protest was necessary because parents, some senior civil servants and members of the community were opposed to the concession. Oluwaseye argued that King’s College remained public property and should not be taken over by its old students. He maintained that KCOBA should support the school through donations rather than seek control of its management. The controversy followed an announcement by KCOBA President, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, that the Federal Government had approved the concession of the college to the association. The old boys subsequently launched a N100 billion endowment fund aimed at improving infrastructure and repositioning the institution. Among the early contributors were First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who donated N10 million, and Ibrahim-Imam, who pledged N1 billion. Former Board of Trustees Chairman, Philip Asiodu, and the association’s new Board Chairman, Femi Okunnu, each donated N100 million. According to KCOBA, the concession would support infrastructure development, teacher training, digital technology, scholarships, research, innovation and students’ welfare. Ibrahim-Imam said the arrangement was not a privatisation of the school, stressing that ownership would remain with the government. He described it instead as a new governance framework that would allow KCOBA to work with the government to modernise and sustain the institution. However, the parents maintained their opposition, insisting that the college should remain under public control and warning that they would resist any attempt to concession the institution.

Nineteen-year-old Mafolayomi Otujiya, a first-class Public Administration graduate of Babcock University, has shared how she turned the disappointment of scoring 238 in the UTME into motivation to excel at university. Otujiya, who graduated with a CGPA of 4.52 as the best graduating student in her department, said she had expected to score above 300 in the UTME and was devastated when she received her result. According to her, the disappointment strengthened her determination to perform better at university. She said, “I was expecting a 300+ score in UTME, and I really worked towards it. So, seeing 238 was far below my expectations. I even cried when the UTME result came out. “I told myself I would do better in the university. I turned the disappointment into a higher level of focus and intentionality in the university.” Otujiya gained admission to Babcock University in 2022 at the age of 15. Although she initially wanted to study Law, she was offered Public Administration and eventually developed an interest in the course after researching its relevance. She recalled that her first semester result gave her confidence that graduating with a first class was possible, after she recorded a 4.55 GPA in her 100 Level. “I always imagined myself as a first-class student, but the point when I realised I could graduate with one was when my first result came out,” she said. She maintained a first-class CGPA throughout her university education, with her highest GPA reaching 4.74. Despite her academic success, Otujiya said her journey was not without difficulties. French was particularly challenging, as she recorded Cs in the three-unit course for three consecutive semesters. She also had to balance academics with leadership responsibilities. She served as assistant social director in 200 Level and vice president of her department in 300 Level. These roles, she said, sparked her interest in project management and helped her develop skills in teamwork, organisation and leadership. Otujiya also revealed that she sacrificed sleep, leisure and afternoon naps to keep up with her academic responsibilities. At some points, she remained in the library until 8 p.m. while also managing classes and research projects. She credited her family, lecturers and project supervisor, Dr Sunday Audu, for supporting her throughout her university journey. She also acknowledged the contribution of a senior colleague, Olafare Oluwanifemi, who helped her understand difficult course materials. Reflecting on being a 19-year-old graduate, Otujiya said she never allowed her age to limit her expectations. “I didn’t let my age dictate my potential. I knew that if I saw myself as younger than everyone else, it would hold me back, so I just focused on my capabilities rather than my age,” she said. Beyond academics, she participated in extracurricular activities, interviewed her university’s vice chancellor as a member of her chapel’s media team and received an award for meritorious service. She said studying Public Administration also changed her perspective on governance, particularly by exposing her to policy implementation gaps, bureaucracy and public-sector structures. After graduation, Otujiya said she is currently training in agile project management and product management while preparing to resume content creation as a faith-based fashion creator. She hopes to build a career in project management and corporate administration, saying her strengths lie in building structures, organising teams and achieving organisational goals. For students aspiring to graduate with first-class honours, she stressed the importance of discipline, consistency, prayer and intentionality. “If you’re naturally intelligent but not disciplined, you really can’t achieve anything,” she said, adding that students should surround themselves with environments that support their goals. Otujiya also advised students to believe in their abilities and visualise their goals before pursuing them, noting that her own academic achievement began with believing that it was possible.

The Chairman of Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chibueze Ofobuike, has offered educational and financial support to Richard Emmanuel Ekene Ike, a former debate star who reportedly dropped out of school after losing his parents. Richard’s situation gained public attention after his former teacher, Joy Oñuchukwu Anopuechi, described him as a brilliant student and outstanding speaker who represented Aguata Zone at the 2021 Governor’s Debate. Ofobuike said the council had offered to sponsor Richard’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination, provide accommodation and assist with his other financial needs. He also disclosed that the founder of Okwumereze Foundation, Evans Emesim, popularly known as MC Okwumereze, had pledged to sponsor Richard’s JAMB examination and provide him with a full scholarship throughout his university education. Following a meeting with Richard and Anopuechi, it was agreed that he would first return to secondary school, complete his senior secondary education and sit for the relevant examinations before proceeding to university. The council chairman said arrangements had been made for Richard to resume at a secondary school in September 2026, subject to passing the school’s entrance examination. He added that the council would provide educational materials, including a smartphone, computer, books and other items required for his studies. Ofobuike also appealed for further assistance towards Richard’s daily upkeep, stating that any financial support would be paid directly into his account and monitored to ensure proper use. The chairman expressed hope that the intervention would help Richard realise his potential and encourage similar efforts to identify and support other talented young people facing difficult circumstances. The intervention comes after Richard’s story of dropping out of school and surviving through odd jobs, including bricklaying, attracted widespread attention on social media.

At least 65 primary and secondary schools have been shut down or rendered non-functional across several northern states due to insecurity. The affected schools are in Sokoto, Benue, Plateau, Borno, Kaduna and Kebbi, while insecurity has also disrupted academic activities in Katsina, Adamawa and other parts of the North. The closures followed terrorist and bandit attacks, abductions, displacement and fears of further attacks on students and teachers. Sokoto has recorded one of the most widespread disruptions, with schools in 20 of its 23 local government areas shut indefinitely, following a Federal Government directive. However, schools in Sokoto North, Sokoto South and Wamakko were exempted. Benue has also been heavily affected, with 35 schools identified as shut across Kwande, Gwer West, Guma and Logo LGAs. Some pupils have relocated to safer communities, while others have dropped out following the displacement of their families. In Borno, two schools in Askira-Uba were recently closed following attacks and student abductions. In Plateau, seven schools across Riyom and Barkin Ladi have also experienced disruptions. Education experts have warned that prolonged school closures could worsen Nigeria’s out-of-school crisis, while exposing children to risks including child labour, early marriage and recruitment by criminal groups. The Federal Government says it is strengthening the Safe Schools Initiative through a dedicated department and a new national framework involving security agencies. The plan includes perimeter fencing, solar lighting, security personnel, technology and monitoring systems. Experts, however, say urgent action is needed to restore security and reopen affected schools, warning that continued disruption could have long-term consequences for Nigeria’s education system and the future of millions of children.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has dismissed a viral document circulating on social media claiming that the results of candidates from 50 secondary schools in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) were withheld over alleged examination malpractice. In a statement shared on its official X account on Wednesday, the examination body described the document as fake and urged the public to disregard it. According to WAEC, the letter did not originate from the council and should not be considered an official communication. The forged document, dated August 2, 2026, was purportedly addressed to principals of public and private secondary schools across Nigeria. It falsely claimed that the results of candidates from 50 schools had been withheld over examination malpractice and instructed the affected schools to submit reports within 14 days or face further sanctions. The fake notice also listed schools from different parts of the country, including Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, and carried the forged name and signature of the Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, Dr Amos Dangut, alongside counterfeit official letterheads and stamps. To counter the misinformation, WAEC released a copy of the forged document marked prominently with a red “FAKE” stamp. The clarification followed the release of the 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE results for school candidates. Earlier, the council announced that it had withheld the results of 167,486 candidates, representing 8.59 per cent of the 1,950,726 candidates who sat for the examination, over allegations of examination malpractice. WAEC explained that the withheld results were linked to various forms of examination misconduct, including the use of mobile phones in examination halls and organised cheating in some schools. The council also disclosed that supervisors and invigilators found to have aided examination malpractice had been apprehended and would face disciplinary action through the appropriate state ministries of education.

The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has said teaching boys how to cook is not about redefining masculinity but equipping them with practical life skills that prepare them for adulthood, family responsibilities and career opportunities. She made the remarks on Monday during the prize-giving ceremony of the 2026 Lagos Boy Child Initiative Cooking Competition held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel in Ikeja. According to the First Lady, the initiative is designed to move beyond traditional classroom education by exposing young boys to skills that promote independence, creativity and responsibility. She said cooking is a valuable life skill that enables young people to care for themselves, support their families and explore opportunities within Nigeria’s growing hospitality and tourism industry. Sanwo-Olu explained that the competition, which featured boys aged 13 to 17 from public and private schools, military and faith-based institutions, orphanages and correctional facilities across Lagos, was created to challenge the belief that cooking is solely a woman’s responsibility. She noted that the programme also aims to encourage participants to consider careers in hospitality, culinary arts and related industries, describing the sector as one with enormous employment and entrepreneurial potential. The First Lady added that the initiative aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ development agenda, particularly its focus on youth empowerment and social inclusion. She stressed that many young people will eventually live independently, pursue education abroad or work away from home, making self-reliance an essential life skill. Addressing cultural perceptions, Sanwo-Olu said domestic responsibilities should be shared among family members, adding that teaching boys to cook makes them more responsible and better prepared for adulthood rather than diminishing their masculinity. She also explained that the shopping vouchers presented to the winners were intended to teach budgeting, planning and financial responsibility. To further inspire participants, the ceremony was held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, where the boys toured the hotel’s commercial kitchen, interacted with professional chefs and gained first-hand exposure to careers in the hospitality industry. District II emerged overall winner of the competition with 47 points, while District IV and District VI finished second and third respectively. Members of the winning teams received shopping vouchers, while team leaders were awarded fully sponsored three-week Continental Culinary Arts courses at the Red Dish Chronicles Culinary School in Lagos. Sanwo-Olu also announced that the winners would represent the Lagos Boy Child Initiative at the Akwaaba African Travel Market Jollof Cooking Competition scheduled for September 13. She encouraged the participants to view their awards as the beginning of greater opportunities and urged them to remain disciplined, focused and committed to excellence. The Lagos Boy Child Initiative, launched in 2021, promotes the welfare and development of boys through mentorship, advocacy, life-skills training and empowerment programmes.

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State Council, has warned that it will embark on an indefinite protest against the management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education over their alleged failure to implement approved pension increases. The warning was issued on Monday by the union’s state secretary, Segun Abatan, during a press briefing at the council’s secretariat in Ibadan. According to Abatan, the protest will begin on August 18, 2026, if both institutions fail to comply with Governor Seyi Makinde’s directive on pension adjustments. He accused the management of the two state-owned institutions of disregarding the governor’s approval, noting that the administration had in January 2025 approved a minimum monthly pension of ₦25,000 for the lowest-paid retirees, alongside several outstanding pension increases. The approved adjustments include the 33 per cent pension increase introduced in 2010, the 2019 consequential adjustment, the 20 per cent pension increase effective January 2024, and ₦17,500 from the approved ₦32,000 increase that took effect in August 2024. Abatan stated that while most government agencies implemented the governor’s directive without waiting for an official circular, the two institutions allegedly refused to comply and insisted on receiving formal documentation before taking action. He explained that the union engaged the institutions through letters and advocacy visits. While some state-owned tertiary institutions later complied with the directive, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education have yet to implement the approved pension adjustments. The union also alleged that despite repeated correspondence and meetings, the management of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital continued to delay implementation. According to Abatan, the union is no longer interested in further discussions but wants immediate compliance with the governor’s directive. He stressed that pensioners are demanding full implementation of all approved increases, including payment of accumulated arrears dating back to January 2025. Abatan commended institutions that have already complied with the directive and urged the remaining management teams to follow suit. He also disclosed plans to seek the intervention of the Nigeria Labour Congress to declare a three-day warning strike in the affected institutions. According to him, the planned protest will involve retirees from the affected institutions, government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as retired primary school teachers and local government pensioners. The union maintained that the planned action is intended to ensure compliance with the governor’s directive rather than undermine the state government’s pension policy.

The newly appointed Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, has introduced a five-year strategic plan aimed at transforming the examination body into Africa’s leading technology-driven and accessible assessment institution. According to a statement issued by JAMB’s Acting Director of Public Affairs and Protocol, Fabian Benjamin, the initiative, titled “JAMB 2031: Building Trust, Reducing Trauma,” was unveiled on Aina’s first day in office. The roadmap is designed to guide the Board’s activities over the next five years. The strategic agenda is built around two broad objectives, five key pillars, and seven flagship projects focused on improving efficiency, transparency, and innovation in JAMB’s operations. Aina said the Board would remain committed to ensuring fair, secure, and merit-based access to higher education through transparent registration processes and credible examinations. The first pillar, Integrity, focuses on strengthening public confidence by adopting internationally recognised standards such as ISO 27001 certification, conducting independent technology audits, and improving institutional transparency. The second pillar, Service, seeks to enhance customer satisfaction by improving communication and engagement with candidates, parents, tertiary institutions, and other stakeholders. The Governance pillar aims to strengthen accountability, performance monitoring, contract management, and operational efficiency. On technology, Aina said JAMB would expand its digital infrastructure by introducing scalable mobile and web platforms, while also leveraging artificial intelligence and data analytics to improve decision-making and service delivery. The fifth pillar, Partnerships, is expected to strengthen collaboration with financial institutions, fintech companies, educational organisations, and international partners to promote innovation. To implement the reform agenda, the Board plans to undertake seven major projects, including a comprehensive review of its technology infrastructure, the attainment of ISO 27001 information security certification, the launch of a unified JAMB mobile application, improved strategic communication, the establishment of a centralised customer service platform, the adoption of a paperless digital administration system, and enhanced staff welfare and professional development. Aina emphasised that while technology would play a critical role in JAMB’s transformation, the people behind the institution would remain its greatest strength. He reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and integrity, noting that every candidate represents the aspirations of Nigerian families. He also encouraged staff members to embrace innovation, professionalism, and teamwork, describing his appointment as both a privilege and a responsibility. Aina pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessor, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, by strengthening institutional systems, improving service delivery, and positioning JAMB as a global model for technology-driven examination and admissions administration.

A group of concerned parents and graduates of Babcock University has called on the institution’s management to restore what it described as the central purpose of convocation by giving greater prominence to academic excellence during graduation ceremonies.In an open letter issued following the university’s 2026 convocation, the group expressed disappointment over what it considered the inadequate recognition of outstanding academic performance, urging the management to acknowledge the shortcomings of the ceremony, apologize to affected graduates and put measures in place to prevent a recurrence. The group argued that convocation should primarily celebrate scholarship, discipline and academic achievement, noting that the ceremony ought to serve as a platform for honoring students who distinguished themselves through years of dedication and hard work. According to the letter, one of the major concerns was the selection of the commencement speaker, a serving state governor, whose address allegedly focused largely on his administration’s achievements rather than offering graduates intellectual inspiration, professional guidance or reflections suited to a university convocation. The group maintained that commencement speakers should be chosen based on their ability to inspire graduating students and contribute meaningfully to the academic significance of the occasion rather than the public office they occupy.It also criticised what it described as the minimal recognition accorded to outstanding graduates during the ceremony, stating that only the overall best graduating student of the university was publicly acknowledged. The parents and graduates noted that the best graduating students from the university’s schools, departments and part-time programmes, as well as first-class graduates, were not recognised on stage despite their exceptional academic records.Instead, the affected students were reportedly directed to collect their awards at the university registry, a decision the group said diminished the value of years of academic excellence. While stressing that it had no objection to other categories of recognition presented during the ceremony, the group expressed concern that the “Youth Development and Social Advocacy Award,” given to graduates recognized for positive personal transformation, received prominent attention while academic distinctions received little publicacknowledgment. According to the letter, recognizing personal growth and social rehabilitation is commendable, but such recognition should not overshadow the primary purpose of a university convocation, which is to celebrate academic merit.The group further argued that public recognition during convocation often serves as an important credential for graduates seeking scholarships, employment opportunities and postgraduate admissions, adding that denying outstanding students that platform could have lasting consequences. It therefore urged the university to publicly acknowledge that the 2026 convocation did not sufficiently celebrate academic excellence, apologize to affected graduates and establish a clear framework for recognizing the best graduating students across all schools and departments, as well as all first-class graduates, during future convocations.The letter concluded that universities exist to promote merit, evidence and excellence, insisting that convocation ceremonies should reflect those values by ensuring that graduates who excelled academically receive the public recognition they deserve.

Although a PhD is now a standard requirement for attaining the rank of professor in Nigerian universities, history records a few exceptional cases where individuals earned professorships based on their outstanding contributions to their fields rather than doctoral qualifications. Among the most notable are Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, literary icon Chinua Achebe, renowned poet J.P. Clark, and celebrated artist Bruce Onobrakpeya. Wole Soyinka Nobel Prize-winning playwright and author Wole Soyinka does not hold a PhD. He began his university education at the then University College Ibadan before completing a Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Leeds in 1958. Despite not pursuing a doctoral degree, Soyinka built an internationally acclaimed career as a playwright, poet, novelist, essayist, and public intellectual. His achievements earned him numerous honorary doctorates from universities around the world. In 1986, he became the first African to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature for his contributions to world literature. Chinua Achebe Renowned novelist Chinua Achebe also became a professor without obtaining a PhD. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the then University College Ibadan and went on to establish himself as one of Africa’s most influential literary figures. Achebe’s academic recognition was based on his remarkable literary contributions rather than a doctoral qualification. Throughout his career, he received more than 30 honorary doctorates from institutions across the world, including Harvard University, Brown University, the University of Cape Town, the University of Toronto, and Dartmouth College. J.P. Clark Poet and playwright John Pepper Clark, popularly known as J.P. Clark or J.P. Clark-Bekederemo, was another Nigerian scholar who attained the rank of professor without a PhD. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from the then University College Ibadan and later taught literature at the University of Lagos, where he rose through the academic ranks based on his scholarship and literary achievements. Clark is widely known for works such as Song of a Goat, The Raft, Ozidi, and the poetry collection Casualties: Poems 1966–68. Bruce Onobrakpeya Celebrated Nigerian artist Bruce Onobrakpeya also achieved academic distinction without earning a PhD. He studied at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, Zaria, now part of Ahmadu Bello University where he obtained a diploma in Fine Arts and a teacher’s qualification. Although he later undertook postgraduate studies and specialized art training, he did not complete a doctoral degree. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to art and culture, Onobrakpeya has received several honorary doctorates, including an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Ibadan and an Honorary Doctor of Arts from Delta State University.