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FG to unveil ₦50m grant for STEMM students

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The Federal Government on Friday said it is set to unveil the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences Student Venture Capital Grant, which it described as a pioneering initiative designed to empower students in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions to build the next generation of scalable, job-creating ventures.

Also referred to as the “STEMM Up Grant”, the initiative will be formally unveiled in August by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, according to a statement by the Director of Press of the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo.

The statement said the decision was made known during a stakeholder engagement session held in Abuja. The session convened Vice Chancellors, Provosts, Rectors, Student leaders, academic Staff, and development partners to chart a collective course for nurturing student-led innovation.

“S-VCG is not just a grant. It’s a launchpad for bold, young innovators to lead Nigeria’s industrial and technological transformation. We are giving our students the tools to dream, build, and scale solutions that solve real-world problems — from tech and medicine to agriculture and green energy”, Alausa said.

The grant targets full-time undergraduate students in STEMM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences), specifically those in their 300-level and above. Each selected student-led project will be eligible to receive startup funding of up to ₦50 million, along with access to mentorship, incubation services, and business development support.

The initiative will be implemented in partnership with the Bank of Industry to ensure financial transparency, impact measurement, and effective project execution.

Speaking at the session, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, described the grant as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s knowledge economy.

“We’re building a stronger, more competitive future by supporting innovation from the ground up,” she said, adding that the programme’s design was informed by months of consultation with students, faculty, and institutional leaders.

She added, “The launch of S-VCG aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises inclusive education, youth empowerment, and sustainable economic development.

“Participants at the event welcomed the STEMM Up Grant as a timely, strategic, and high-impact initiative that will drive youth innovation, tackle graduate unemployment, and position Nigeria as a hub for student-led entrepreneurship in Africa.

“The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring an inclusive rollout and rigorous monitoring to guarantee that the initiative delivers a measurable and lasting impact across Nigeria’s higher education institutions.”

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Education

NABTEB releases 2025 NBC/NTC results, records improved performance

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The National Business and Technical Examinations Board has released the 2025 June/July National Business Certificate and National Technical Certificate results, with improved performance recorded in Mathematics.

Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, who announced the results in Abuja on Thursday, said 92,875 candidates registered for the examinations across 1,892 centres nationwide.

He noted that the figure represented a 37.08 per cent increase in enrolment compared to 2024, while the centres rose by 10.77 per cent.

According to him, candidates sat for 16 Engineering Trades, seven Construction Trades, nine Miscellaneous Trades, four Business Trades and 16 General Education Subjects.

Mohammed disclosed that 89,621 candidates had their results released, with 61,104 candidates, representing 68.18 per cent, obtaining five credits and above including English Language and Mathematics.

He also added that 74,633 candidates, representing 83.28 per cent, scored five credits and above with or without English Language and Mathematics.

“More candidates passed Mathematics while fewer candidates passed English Language this year when compared to last year’s examination results,” he said.

He revealed that 93.10 per cent of candidates who sat for English Language recorded pass grades, while Mathematics had 94.60 per cent.

On examination malpractice, Mohammed explained that 435 candidates were involved in 516 cases, compared to 349 candidates in 524 cases recorded in 2024.

“This is a decrease in the incidence of examination malpractices,” he stated.

The Registrar said registration had commenced for the 2025 November/December NBC/NTC and Advanced National Business Certificate/Advanced National Technical Certificate (ANBC/ANTC) examinations.

“Prospective candidates can access the NABTEB portal or visit any State or Zonal Office to obtain guidelines for registration,” he said.

Mohammed further stressed the importance of vocational and technical education in national development.

“You will agree with me that in today’s 21st-century world the need for comprehensive TVET is highly crucial,” he said.

NABTEB was created by Decree No. 70 (Act 70) of 1993 to take over technical and business exams previously administered by foreign bodies like RSA, City & Guilds, WAEC, ensuring government-controlled, nationally relevant certification.

The NBC/NTC exams are part of Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education & Training (TVET) framework, aimed at equipping learners with practical, employable skills in trades and vocational fields.

In the June/July 2024 NBC/NTC exams, 67,751 candidates sat; 44,000 of them (65.34%) obtained five credits including English & Maths, and 62,235 candidates (92.42%) got five credits or more with or without English & Maths.

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The First Graduating Set of Medical Doctors from University College, Ibadan, 1951

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In 1951, Nigeria marked a defining milestone in its educational and healthcare history: the graduation of the first set of medical doctors trained locally at University College, Ibadan (UCI). This historic event symbolized the beginning of self-reliance in medical training, reducing dependence on British institutions, and laying the groundwork for modern medical education in the country.

The Birth of Medical Training in Nigeria

University College, Ibadan, was established in 1948 as the country’s first university-level institution. It began as an affiliate of the University of London, which supervised its curriculum and examinations to ensure international standards. Among its earliest faculties was the Faculty of Medicine, designed specifically to address the shortage of indigenous doctors in colonial Nigeria.

Before this development, Nigerians who aspired to practice medicine had to study abroad, mostly in Britain. Notable pioneers such as Dr. Isaac Ladipo Oluwole (1892–1953) trained overseas, often at great personal and financial cost. The establishment of UCI’s medical school changed this dynamic permanently.

The First Seven Medical Doctors

In 1951, only seven students successfully completed the rigorous program to become the first medical graduates trained in Nigeria. This small but groundbreaking group included:

Dr. Ishaya Audu, later the first professor of medicine from Northern Nigeria, Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States.

Dr. Olajide Akinoso, who went on to make significant contributions in medical practice and public health.

Several others who would rise to prominence in clinical medicine, education, and administration.
Though small in number, this cohort represented a turning point in the nation’s history.

Significance of the 1951 Graduation

This graduation was not merely ceremonial; it was revolutionary. For the first time, Nigeria had produced its own cadre of doctors within its borders, trained to the same standards as their British counterparts. The development gave Nigeria confidence in its capacity to sustain higher education and professional training locally.

It also reflected the colonial government’s recognition of the need to indigenize the health sector at a time when infectious diseases, maternal mortality, and shortages of healthcare workers posed urgent national challenges.

Ishaya Audu: A Pioneering Figure

Among the seven, Dr. Ishaya Audu stood out as a trailblazer. Beyond his medical career, he became a statesman and educator, embodying the multiple roles that graduates of that first set would go on to play in Nigeria’s development. His journey illustrated how the medical profession could serve as a springboard for leadership in other national spheres.

From University College, Ibadan to the University of Ibadan

It is important to note that in 1951, the institution was still University College, Ibadan (UCI), functioning under the University of London. Full autonomy came later in 1962, when it was renamed the University of Ibadan (UI), becoming Nigeria’s first independent university. The medical school that began with seven graduates now produces hundreds of doctors annually and remains one of Africa’s foremost training centers.

Legacy

The 1951 graduates were more than pioneers—they were nation-builders. They helped establish the credibility of Nigerian medical education, mentored subsequent generations, and shaped healthcare policies in the decades that followed.

Today, their legacy lives on in the University of Ibadan’s College of Medicine, which stands as a leading institution for research, clinical training, and innovation in Africa. The journey that began with seven doctors in 1951 has now produced thousands, ensuring that the vision of self-reliance in healthcare continues to thrive.

Sources
University of Ibadan Archives

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Nigerian students now rely on AI for support — Google

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Nigerian students are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence to support their studies, according to new Google Search trend data released on Tuesday as schools reopen across the country.

Google said searches combining “AI + studying” rose by more than 200 per cent compared with 2024, showing that learners are not only curious about AI but are actively using it as a study companion. The company explained that students were seeking out AI tutors, free tools, and prompts to guide their work across a variety of subjects.

The data indicated that searches for “AI + chemistry” grew 50 per cent, while “AI + maths” and “AI + languages” each climbed 30 per cent. Queries linking AI to grammar also recorded a 20 per cent rise.

Google reported that popular search questions included “What is the best AI in the world for solving mathematical problems?” and “how to use AI to solve math problems”.

Google’s West Africa Director, Olumide Balogun, said the trend showed that students were embracing AI as a way to deepen their learning.

Balogun said Nigerian learners were not just using AI for answers but as a tool to deepen their understanding of complex subjects, from chemistry to mathematics. He added that the company was committed to providing tools that would empower students to learn, grow, and succeed.

Google noted that interest in AI was spreading beyond schoolwork. Searches such as “how to use AI” and “what is the full meaning of AI” each rose 80 per cent, while “who is the father of AI” increased 70 per cent.

At the same time, queries for “AI detection” jumped 290 per cent, a development Google said reflected a wider conversation about responsible use and academic integrity.

The company also pointed out that career-focused searches were rising. It said “Generative AI” had emerged as a breakout search term in the past 12 months, often appearing alongside “professional certification”, suggesting that young Nigerians were positioning themselves for the future workforce.

Google said the findings highlighted a broader national trend, with AI-related searches in Nigeria hitting an all-time high in 2025, up 60 per cent in the last year.

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