Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Category: Education

  • NUC Slams NBTE’s ‘Top-Up Degree’ Scheme For Poly Graduates

    NUC Slams NBTE’s ‘Top-Up Degree’ Scheme For Poly Graduates

    The National Universities Commission (NUC) has raised strong objections to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) over its introduction of a “top-up degree” program for Nigerian polytechnic graduates holding Higher National Diplomas (HNDs).

    The NUC, through its acting Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, expressed that this initiative contradicts the commission’s mandate. 

    The NBTE had initially established a partnership with foreign universities to offer a one-year conversion course, allowing HND graduates to convert their diplomas into full-fledged degrees. 

    This move was well-received by HND graduates seeking to bridge the gap between university degree holders and themselves.

    However, the NUC issued a stern statement, urging the NBTE to reconsider its plan. The NUC emphasized that the “Bill for an Act to Abolish and Prohibit Dichotomy and Discrimination between First Degree and Higher National Diploma in the Same Profession/Field for Employment, and for Related Matters,” which passed in 2021, has not been assented to by the President. 

    Thus, the dichotomy between university degrees and HNDs remains.

    The NUC clarified its authority as the sole regulatory agency for university education in Nigeria, underlining the significant differences in the educational processes and requirements between universities and polytechnics.

    Additionally, the NUC pointed out that candidates with HNDs who wish to pursue postgraduate degrees in Nigerian universities must meet specific admission criteria.

    The NUC advised the NBTE to focus on its core mandate and refrain from introducing programs that fall outside its jurisdiction and lack legal support in Nigeria. The commission emphasized its commitment to regulating and maintaining the quality of university education in the country.

  • Tetfund Has Invested Over N4.5bn In Gombe Varsity- Echono

    Tetfund Has Invested Over N4.5bn In Gombe Varsity- Echono

    The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has executed 11 projects at the Gombe State University worth N4.5 billion.

    The Executive Secretary of Tetfund, Mr Sonny Echono, said this at the inauguration ceremony of the projects at the university main campus at the weekend in Gombe.

    Echono said that since the university’s enlistment as a beneficiary of the Fund in 2006 to 2023, TETFund has allocated more than N15 billion for infrastructure-related interventions, cutting across the Annual, Special and Zonal interventions, among others.

    He expressed satisfaction that the projects undertaken with the fund had impacted on the mandate of the university in facilitating teaching, learning and research.

    Echono also commended the university management in partnering with the Federal Government in its efforts at making public tertiary institutions centres of excellence, research and discovery, as well as a drive towards making the institutions globally competitive.

    He noted that completing projects amidst the prevailing economic situation was not easy.

    However, he said despite the challenges, the projects were delivered, urging the university to ensure that the facilities were well maintained to avoid dilapidation.

    The TetFund executive scribe assured that the Fund would continue to support the institution’s drive for creativity through meaningful research endeavours.

    The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Aliyu Elnafaty, said since its establishment the institution has benefited from the Fund’s various intervention projects, including lecture halls, laboratories, libraries and ICT facilities.

    On manpower development, he said the Fund has sponsored about 500 academic staff for postgraduate studies from Masters up to PhD levels at various universities within and outside the country.

    On his part, the visitor to the university, who is the state Governor, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, announced that the Dukku campus of the institution would soon take off with the Faculty of Environmental Studies.

    Yahaya noted that 80 per cent of the structures in the university were executed by TetFund, noting that its Senate building would soon be constructed under the Special Intervention fund.

    TetFund also inaugurated four projects at the Federal College of Education Technical, Gombe, also executed under various interventions.

  • Embrace Advanced Technology, VC Advises Nigerian Academia

    Embrace Advanced Technology, VC Advises Nigerian Academia

    The Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja (UniAbuja), Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, has reiterated the need for educational community to embrace advanced technology, especially in automobile.

    Na’ Allah made this submission during the university’s 27th Pre-Convocation Lecture at the weekend in Abuja.

    He said that Nigeria had all required in terms of resources and technical know-how to have a robust technology, adding that it was time for Nigerians to think on the way forward.

    The vice chancellor said that the Nigerian train system 20 to 50 years ago was far better than what was obtainable at present; hence the need to focus attention on automobile technology.

    On his part, the Guest Lecturer, Mr Jelani Aliyu, Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), said Nigerians had important role in creating the new and advanced Nigeria of peace, progress and prosperity.

    Aliyu said to achieve the new Nigerian future, citizens must first of all imagine it, adding that the country had all it took to be at par with other developed countries of the world.

    He said that the problems of Nigeria were artificial phenomenon that should not be allowed to define it as a nation.

    “We must only be defined by our inherent capabilities, or be defined by what we can build; but by what we can achieve for a better tomorrow.

    “We are all born with special talents; everyone has incredible gifts that when nurtured and developed, will enable the realisation of amazing achievements.

    “When we look at countries like Germany, U.S., U.A.E, Japan or China and see the incredible progress they have made, such developments can also happen in Nigeria.”

    He said that advanced technology could help to expedite the ushering in of a new Nigeria.

    Aliyu called on all graduating and other students as potential builders of a nation that could be at par with any advanced one in the world to take advantage of advanced technology.

    “We must seek and adopt relevant advanced technology that would enable us uplift the lives of every man, woman and child.

    “Technology, which is intelligent and understands our specific challenges; we must search, adopt and develop advanced technology in energy, agriculture, transportation and housing.

    “Automobiles and transportation are my passion; I have always believed that we must not be afraid of adopting the most advanced technologies in that sector.

    ”Hence my commitment to help in bringing and develop vehicle electrification in Nigeria,” Aliyu said.

    According to the guest lecturer, NADDC has developed 100 per cent solar powered EV Charging Stations in three universities in the country.

    He said that the fourth Hybrid was at its headquarters in Abuja.

    Aliyu said discussion was underway with UniAbuja to build another solar powered EV Charging Station in the campus.

    The guest speaker said NADDC had set up the facilities to bring advanced technology to the doorsteps of students; so they could understand it and come up with more applicable solutions for Nigeria and Africa.

    He advised the graduands as they went into the world not to be afraid of leveraging and developing advanced technology.

    More so, the Minister of FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, advised the graduands to use the wealth of knowledge and skills they had acquired to make positive change in the country.

    Wike, who was represented by the Secretary of Education, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Dr Danlami Hayyo, said that the university had consistently showed its commitment in finding solutions to the challenges facing the territory.

    “You are leaving this institution with your wealth of knowledge and skills, the future of the nation lies in your hands; I want you to use it to make positive change in our society.

    “Don’t stop learning; this is just the beginning; stay focused and be an ambassador of change not only in FCT but for our country Nigeria”, the minister said.

    The University Orator, Prof. Nkem Azuike, while reading the citation of the guest lecturer, said that he had brought significant development to the Nigeria automotive sector.

    Azuike said that Aliyu had driven private investments by automotive companies, reaching over 1 billion dollars.

    He said that the companies, with a combined production capacity of over 400,000 units per annum, were effectively producing different models and configurations of vehicles in the country.

    The highlight of the event was the presentation of plaques to the guest lecturer by the vice chancellor.

  • WAEC Takes Action On Students With Seized, Withheld Results 

    WAEC Takes Action On Students With Seized, Withheld Results 

    The West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) has taken a decisive stance on candidates with seized or withheld results from the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates.

    These decisions were reached during the 76th meeting of the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC) of WAEC, held from October 3rd to 4th, 2023.

    WAEC has announced that the entire results of candidates found to have engaged in examination malpractice, warranting the penalty of Cancellation of Entire Results (CER), will be nullified.

    Likewise, the subject results of candidates involved in examination malpractice, attracting the penalty of Cancellation of Subject Results (CSR), will also be cancelled.

    For candidates cleared of any wrongdoing by the Committee, their results will be promptly released. 

    WAEC has assured that these directives will be put into effect as soon as possible, with notifications sent to affected candidates and schools.

    The official statement from WAEC, shared via their X platform (formerly known as Twitter), reads:

     “The Committee directed that the entire results of candidates proven to have been involved in examination malpractice, which attract the penalty of Cancellation of Entire Results (CER), be cancelled. Similarly, subject results of candidates proven to have been involved in examination malpractice, which attract the penalty of Cancellation of Subject Results (CSR), be cancelled.”

    In addition to these decisions, the Committee also urged State Ministries of Education and the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) to strictly adhere to the registration deadline for WASSCE for School Candidates’ examination diets.

    The Committee, serving as the highest decision-making body for WAEC’s examination-related matters in Nigeria, convenes biannually to address issues related to the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for both School and Private Candidates.

  • Nigerian Vice Chancellors Celebrate Diamond Jubilee

    Nigerian Vice Chancellors Celebrate Diamond Jubilee

    The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Federal, States, and Private Universities in Nigeria are set to celebrate 60 + 1 years of their existence and activities. 

    A Programme of Events released from the Office of the Secretary General, Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), Prof Yakubu Aboki Ochefu, indicates that the four-day celebration, which is scheduled to kickoff on Monday 9th October 2023, would hold at the Baze University, Abuja, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima as Distinguished Guests of Honour, while Honourable Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman would be Special Guest of Honour.

    The President of Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof Ekanem Braide is billed to be the Keynote Speaker in the event to be Co-Hosted by the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Baze University, Prof Kathleen Okafor, SAN. 

    Mustardpoint.com gathered that a Local Organising Committee, chaired by Prof Osita Agbu, has been working round the clock to put a programme in place to ensure a memorable celebration. 

    Day 1 of the events to mark CVCNU @60 is scheduled to kick off at 10am on Monday 9th October with the 0pening Ceremony consisting of welcome comments from the host VC and the National Chairman of CVCNU, as well as goodwill messages from Special Guests. Flag parades and group photographs would follow, just ahead of the official Conference Opening ceremony/Exhibition between 1pm and 1:45pm, all at the expansive Multipurpose Hall of Baze University. 

    Beginning from 2:30pm on day 1, the CVCNU members are scheduled to hold their meeting until 5:30pm during which time the first virtual panel on *”GENDER EQUITY, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION(EEDI)”* by Dr Paul Igwe would be taken, to end the day. 

    Day 11, Tuesday 10th October, would be the INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LEADERSHIP AND GENDER, with the theme: *”UNDERREPRESENTATION OF WOMEN LEADERSHIP IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES.”

    For this segment, Prof David Rugara of Lincoln University, USA, is expected to deliver the welcome address to participants, while goodwill messages would come from Nigerian First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the Senator representing the Federal Capital Teritory, Senator Ireti Kingibe. The Keynote Address would be rendered by the National President of the National Academy of Science, Prof Ekanem I. Braide.

    Discussants lined up for her presentation include a representative of USAID, as well as former Secretary General of CVCNU, Prof Michael Faborode, and Prof Mrs Nancy Agbe, pioneer VC of University of Mkar.

    After some light refreshments, at about 11am, until 2pm, would be the International Conference Sessions. Panel 1 of this, which is billed to discuss “Leadership and Management of Nigerian Higher and Further Education”, would be chaired by Prof Francis Egbokhare, while Prof Mrs Ladi Hamalai is scheduled to take charge of Panel 11 on the topic “Responsibility, Sustainability, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

    The second virtual panel would be incorporated at this time, with the topic “Emancipation, Eliminating Discrimination and Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls and People With Disability,” by Paul Igwe.

    Between 2pm and 5pm on Day 11 will be a time reserved for the *MASTER CLASS* during which justice shall be done to three issues of paramount importance to University education. The first topic “ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE(AI) AND THE FUTURE OF TEACHING” is to be under the chairmanship of Prof Mrs Francisca Oladipo. The second paper “CYBER SECURITY AND LEARNING ANALYTICS FOR EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS” would be chaired by Prof Tanko Ishaya, while “FUNDING AND PROFITING FROM UNIVERSITY SPORTS” has Mr Adedamilola Adedotun as chairman. 

    Day 111, Wednesday 11th October would be taken up mainly with *ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS WITH EXPERTS* between 9am and 11am with the topic “FEDERATING EDUCATIONAL REPOSITORIES”, to be chaired by Prof Chinwe Veronica Anunobi (National Librarian of Nigeria), while discussants would be Mr Joseph Ojo (Director of ICT at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund), Prof Jubril Alhassan (Chairman, Librarians of Nigerian Universities) and Prof Abiodun Adeniyi of Baze University. 

    A special presentation by Lincoln University would be done by the duo of Professors David Rugara and Simon Lilley between 11 and 11:30am.

    Panel 111, “ADDRESSING WOMEN UNDERREPRESENTATION AND ENABLING EDUCATION ACCESS, INCLUSION AND TACKLING SUBJECT SEGREGATION” to be chaired by Prof Aisha Sani Maikudi, while “CHALLENGING GENDER BIAS, STEREOTYPES, DISCRIMINATION AND STIGMATISATION” under Panel 1V, has Ms Philippa Joanne Denny-Gelder scheduled as chair. After this, the third virtual panel will play out with the topic “ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENING PATHWAYS FOR WOMEN GRADUATES EMPLOYMENT” to be chaired by Prof Enase Okonedo, VC of Pan Atlantic University. 

    After lunch, between 3:15 and 4:30pm, participants would be engrossed with the personal experiences of some of the Vice-Chancellors in a Soapbox topic “EQUITY, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY ON OUR CAMPUSES: PERSPECTIVES OF THE OPERATORS”.

    Those scheduled to narrate their experiences as Panelists, under the chairmanship of Prof Umaru Pate (VC, Federal University Kashere), include Prof Charles Igwe (University of Nigeria, Nsuka), Prof Neal Juster (Lincoln University, USA), Prof Fatima Tahir (Bauchi State University), Prof Kathleen Ebelechukwu Okafor,SAN (Baze University), Prof Abdulrasheed Na’Allah(University of Abuja) and Prof Ajith Kumar V.V(Skyline University).

    Between 4:30 and 5:30pm on the third day of the very impactful celebration of CVCNU @60, the Communique Committee of the conference is expected to present a Communique to participants as part of the winding up and closing ceremony. 

    From 6pm a Farewell Dinner/Gala Awards Night would hold. 

    The Co-Hosts/Sponsors of the CVCNU @60 events include the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities; Women in Higher Education Leadership (WIHEL); British Council-Gender Equality/Going Global Partnership; University of Lincoln; Baze University; and African Development Institute of Research Methodology (ADIRM) Enugu, Nigeria. 

    The history and activities of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) dates back to the 1960s when the Vice-Chancellors of the few Federal and Regional Universities found it pertinent to meet and rub minds on the operations of their Schools. Those who started this informal forum in October 1962 were: Professors Kenneth Dike of University of Ibadan, Eni Njoku of University of Lagos, Norman Alexander of Ahmadu Bello University, G. A Ajose of University of Ife, as well as Dr George Marion Johnson of University of Nigeria, Nsuka. They met intermittently to exchange ideas regarding problems in their institutions and how to solve them. More important for them then, however, was how to marshal common positions on implementation of Government policies affecting tertiary education. 

    CVCNU was formally registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 1994 as “Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities.” Membership was open to all National Universities Commission approved Universities’ Vice-Chancellors. 

    With the coming on board of State owned and privately run Universities, the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) was formed in 1994 to include State Universities. And when, by 1999 Federal Government granted license for the establishment of private Universities, the Association also incorporated them. Consequently, the present various Associations and Committees of Vice-Chancellors from Federal, States and Private Universities are all independent organisations, but are all operating under the umbrella of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.

  • WAEC Nigeria Gets New Head As Areghan Retires

    WAEC Nigeria Gets New Head As Areghan Retires

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appointed Dr. Amos Josiah Dangut as the new Head of the Nigeria National Office, succeeding Patrick Areghan, who has completed his tenure.

    This significant leadership change within WAEC was officially announced in a statement released by the examination body on Monday.

    Dr. Amos Josiah Dangut, born on October 2, 1967, in Mbar District of Bokkos Local Government Area in Plateau State, boasts a rich history of service in various prominent roles at WAEC before his recent promotion.

    The statement from WAEC provides an overview of Dangut’s previous positions: he served as an Assistant Registrar/Subject Officer in the Test Development Division of WAEC in Lagos from July 1998 to January 2005. Subsequently, he held the roles of Senior Assistant Registrar/Head of Examinations Security and Deputy to the Branch Controller at the Uyo Branch Office from January 2005 to January 2008, followed by a similar role at the Bauchi Branch Office from January 2008 to December 2011.

    Dangut also served as Senior Assistant Registrar/Branch Controller at the Yola Branch Office from December 2011 to January 2019, and later as Deputy Registrar/Controller in the Post Examinations Department from January 2019 to October 2020.

    Finally, he took on the role of Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator at the Ikeja Zonal Office.

    Dangut’s educational journey began at Government Secondary School, Riyom, where he attended from 1981 to 1983, and continued at Government Science School, Kuru, from 1983 to 1986.

    It was at the latter institution that he obtained his WASC/SC in 1986, both of which were located in Plateau State. He then pursued higher education at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, and earned a Bachelor of Agriculture in Animal Production in 1991.

    Over the past 25 years, Dangut has harnessed the power of information and communications technology to bring innovative improvements to processes related to test development, test administration, and post-test activities within WAEC.

    Moreover, Dr. Amos Josiah Dangut is recognized as a distinguished scholar with an array of educational publications featured in both international and national journals.

  • NUC Upgrades Niger COE To Varsity

    NUC Upgrades Niger COE To Varsity

    The National Universities Commission (NUC) has upgraded the Niger State College of Education (COE) to the Niger State University of Education.

    The Acting Executive Secretary of NUC, Chris Maiyaki disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday.

    He said the upgrading would make it the 63rd state-owned university and 270th university in the Nigerian university system.

    Maiyaki noted that universities would continue to play a pivotal roles in national development while also congratulating the Governor of Niger, Mohammed Bago for his vision and creative leadership role in the life of the people of the state.

    “We are not reinventing the wheel for this university because the law has been passed in 2013 but has not been put to conclusion because successive administrations did not follow it up.

    “And it is on assumption of office that his Excellency, Mohammed Bago with his formidable team went through the record and rekindled the matter in August.

    “It would be recalled that Niger State university of Education was recognised as a duly established university in the Nigerian University System by the NUC by its letter with reference NUC/ES31, Volume 69 and dated May 8, 2015.

    He said the commission received a letter from the Niger Government dated Aug. 20, as well as strategic document including the relevant gazetted university laws, academic brief and physical master plan for the recognition of the university.

    “I proudly wrote on behalf of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to inform his Excellency that with effect from Thursday, Sept. 28, the recognition of Niger State University of Education has been revalidated as the 63rd state- owned university and 270th university in the Nigerian university system.

    “The NUC hereby pledges its full support to the university.

    “We also enjoin the governor and the Niger government to take full advantage of the professional and technical advice that the commission statutorily requires to provide on the establishment, sustainable funding and operational roles of the university,” he said.

    He, therefore, said that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), TETFund and NYSC would be duly notified of the establishment of the university.

    Meanwhile, the Governor Mohammed Bago, said that the state experienced deficit in education and learning, adding that it is therefore important to have an additional university to address the learning gaps.

    Bago also said that the state would provide a vocational hub where Nigerians could come and learn skills.

    “In 2013, our predecessor was here with a mission to convert the Niger State College of Education to a university of education, but somewhere along the line, it became a mirage.

    “We have come to rekindle this ambition. Secondly, the IBB University, Lapai is desirous of a Medical Department, so we want you to expedite approval so that we have full curriculum for Medicine and Surgery.

    “We are also proposing that the Federal College of Education, Kotangora and the Federal Polytechnics Bida, will be degree-awarding institutions,” he said. 

  • OAU Slashes Students’ Tuition Fees

    OAU Slashes Students’ Tuition Fees

    The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, have readjusted downward the sundry charges payable by students of the University.

    The Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Ile-Ife.

    Olarewaju said that the decision followed a meeting the University management had with the leadership of the Students Union on Monday.

    He said that the meeting which lasted for several hours, was called by the University management, after several agitations by the students’ union for a reduction of the initial charges approved by the University.

    According to him, the Students Union leaders were adamant that the charges be reduced by 50 per cent, but the University management made it clear that the new charges were the minimum the University require to run efficiently.

    Olarewaju said that the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, however, announced that the charges initially announced had been reduced.

    “For the students in Humanities, the initial sundry charges of N89,200 for returning students have been reduced to N76,000.

    “While the new students in the Humanities, the initial fees of N151,200 have been reduced to N131,000.

    “For those in the Sciences and Technology, the initial charges of N101,200, for returning students is now N86,000 while the new students in the same Faculties will now pay N141,000 as against the initial N163,200.

    In the same vein, the returning students in the Pharmacy and College of Health Sciences would now pay N109,000, instead of N128,200.

    He stated further that the new students in the same Faculties would now pay N164,000 instead of the initial charges of N190,000.

    The statement added that the University management had agreed that the payment could be in two equal instalments.

    Meanwhile, the University portal is now open to students for payment.

  • WAEC to introduce CBT for WASSCE -Official

    WAEC to introduce CBT for WASSCE -Official

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has disclosed that plans to introduce the Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode in the administration of its examinations are at advanced stage.

    The Head of National Office (HNO), Mr Patrick Areghan, gave the hint in an interview on Saturday in Lagos.

    Areghan was speaking against the backdrop of notable achievements and advancements of the council under his watch, as he prepared to bow out of office on October 1.

    He would be bowing out after completing his three-year tenure.

    Areghan said that introducing the CBT mode of administrating some of the council’s examination had been part of his vision for the body in the near future.

    “We have already started something in terms of CBT examination. We have gone far with our planning and all of that, even in the sub region, the registrar to council is also doing something.

    “But this is not as easy as some people will think. This is because we ask ourselves, how do we conduct CBT for practicals and essay papers?

    “We can only readily do that in the case of objective questions. But so many people will not see it from that angle. They argue that some others are doing it, why can’t WAEC do same.

    “Now, no one even talks about energy; how many schools are exposed to computer literacy? How many have computer facilities and how many have electricity to run these things?

    “Even where you have all these things on ground, how do you handle the issue of theory and practical papers? So, these are the issues, but that is what I want the council to do in the very near future.

    “We should be able to conduct CBT examinations, even if it means starting with the objective questions,” he said.

    The outgoing WAEC boss noted that already, the council had concluded on introducing the administration of its examination using the CBT platform under his watch, in no distant time, starting with the objective questions and later theory and practicals.

     “But you can still be sure that not all schools will be ready. Maybe we can have a segregated market. Those who cannot afford the CBT will go for the pencil and paper mode.

    “So, I will like to see WAEC in that light,” he said.

    Areghan said asides the introduction of the CBT, he would also like to see all the operations of the council fully digitalised in the near future.

    He noted that almost every section of the council had been digitalised under his watch.

    “I have almost digitalised everywhere now. Talk of certificate, checking of results and verification of results and more.

    “I will live to see more massive deployment of technology so that the vision of council can change from just being a world class examination body to a technology-driven examination body.

    “I also want WAEC to be more visible in the international stage. I want to see, through the cooperation of the sub region, how we can take WAEC overseas, that is, how Nigerian children in the diaspora can sit for WASSCE overseas.

    “That, again, is what I want WAEC to do in the very near future. That is one thing I wanted to do under my watch, but, again like I said, it needs the cooperation of the sub region, not just Nigeria, to take WASSCE overseas.

    “I also want to see its digital certificate that we have successfully launched in Nigeria replicated in the entire sub region, so that any candidate that has taken WASSCE, can be in any part of the world to access the digital certificate; that is a legacy.

    “For instance, if your certificate gets missing, soaked, destroyed by fire and so on, with one touch on the bottom, it appears.

    “For me, this is a great legacy,” the WAEC boss stated.

    He also stated that the council’s Digital Security Printing Press is another milestone achievement under his watch.

    According to him, after 71 years of council’s existence the introduction of the digital security printing press is a worthy legacy.

    This is alongside other internal ones, such as the Staff Bus scheme, meant to cushion the effect of high transportation fare, occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal, he said.

  • Borno Govt Opens Scholarship Portal For Varsity, Law School, Polytechnic Students

    Borno Govt Opens Scholarship Portal For Varsity, Law School, Polytechnic Students

    The Borno State Scholarship Board has opened its portal for applications by students in tertiary institutions to enrol for 2022/23 and 2023/24 scholarship.

    Confirming the development in Maiduguri, the Executive Secretary of the board, Mallam Bala Isa, said the portal opened on Sep.14, and would be closed on October 14.

    “Borno State indigenes admitted into institutions of higher learning in Nigeria and have registered for their first year with the institutions are eligible to apply.

    “Interested candidates are to apply through the following link: scholarship.bo.gov.ng.

    “Students are advised to be careful when they apply as no complaints will be entertained for any wrong registration,” Isa said.

    Borno government is giving scholarship to students in tertiary institutions such as University, Law School, Polytechnic, and College of Education.