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Anambra gov lauds teachers’ role in shaping education

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The Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has lauded the invaluable contributions of teachers to society, emphasising their critical role in shaping the future of education in Anambra State.

According to a press statement released by the governor’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, on Wednesday, the governor urged appreciation for teachers worldwide, highlighting particularly the efforts of teachers in Anambra.

Soludo expressed gratitude for the dedication and hard work of educators, noting that everyone was brought up by a teacher.

He said, “You are doing a fantastic job, and I want to highlight that basic statistics show Anambra is leading in many educational metrics.

“There is no educational system without the teachers; the future of a society is intrinsically linked to the quality of its teachers and the quality of teaching they provide.”

The governor stated that in order to combat historical neglect of the education sector, his government successfully recruited 8,115 teachers through a competitive process that drew applicants from 18 states across Nigeria.

“Literacy and numeracy have improved by over 40 per cent, and enrollment rates have surged since we took office. This reflects on the progress made under my administration.

“We acknowledge the challenges the state faced when I assumed leadership. When we came, we discovered that public education was completely neglected and abandoned, and we vowed to restore the sector to its rightful place.

“To sustain this momentum, we plan to recruit even more teachers soon, ensuring that Anambra continues to enhance its educational landscape. We will announce the recruitment of more teachers soon, as our ongoing commitment to improving education,” he added.

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As the governor’s message reverberates through the state, the focus on bolstering the teaching force is seen as a critical step toward elevating educational standards and securing a brighter future for the children of Anambra.

Also, at the event, the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngọzi Chuma-Udeh, addressed attendees, acknowledging the significant influence educators have on the people.

Chuma-Udeh also expressed her commitment to promoting the ongoing efforts of the state government in education.

“These are the parents whose lives you have positively touched. We recognise the vital role that teachers play in shaping the community’s future.

“We will continue to declare the good works of the Governor,” emphasising the administration’s dedication to enhancing the quality of education and supporting the needs of families in Anambra.”

The Chairman of the Post Primary Schools Service Commission, Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, along with the Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Vera Nwadinobi, highlighted the significant achievements made by the Governor in the education sector over the past three and a half years, while assuring continued support for ongoing initiatives.

They noted that under the current administration, the class sizes have surged to 70 students or more, largely attributed to the implementation of free education policies.

The event was also used by a group called “The Patriots” and the Association of People Living with Disabilities to endorse the Governor and his Deputy for a second term in office.

PUNCH Online reported on October 5, 2025, that UNESCO, ILO, Education International, and UNICEF emphasised the pivotal role teachers play in shaping education and national development.

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The organisations noted that the 2025 theme, “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,” aims to empower teachers to “fully deploy their talent and vocation” while receiving the support necessary to achieve transformational outcomes.

They jointly urged governments, partners, and the international community to make a collective commitment to recognising collaboration as a standard practice within the teaching profession, stressing that “only through effective cooperation at all levels can truly inclusive, equitable, and resilient education systems be built worldwide.”

The global bodies further underscored that adequate funding and improved welfare are essential to make teaching both rewarding and result-driven.

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Education

Honorary awards: TASUED dismisses claims of snubbing Gbenga Daniel

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The management of the Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, has dismissed claims circulating on social media that its governing council ignored former Ogun State governor and university founder, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, in the award of honorary doctorate degrees.

Gbenga Daniel
Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

The university, in a statement issued on Friday by its Registrar and Secretary to Council, Dapo Oke, described the reports as “malicious, misleading and deliberately crafted to sow discord”.

“For the avoidance of doubt, and to set the record unequivocally straight, the university affirms that its longstanding tradition has been to confer an Honorary Doctorate Degree on civilian Governors of Ogun State, in recognition of their executive stewardship and support for public education,” the statement said.

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, handing over the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the transfer of ownership of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, to the Federal Government, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, during the 17th Convocation of the formerly state-owned institution. | Credit: Taiwo Bankole.

According to the institution, the tradition is a matter of public record, noting that Daniel, the founder of the university, was honoured as the first serving governor to receive the award in 2010.

“His successor, His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, was similarly honoured,” the statement added.

The university explained that the scope of its honorary awards also extends beyond state governance to recognise individuals with outstanding national and global contributions.

It recalled that during its 10th anniversary in 2015, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, and other notable Nigerians, including Sir Kensington Adebutu, Asiwaju Adebola Adegunwa and Dr Tunde Lemo, were honoured.

“In this established context, the recent conferment upon His Excellency, Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun, CON, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, is neither anomalous nor extraordinary. It is a continuation of a consistent institutional practice applied to all civilian Governors of the State,” the statement said.

On former governor Olusegun Osoba, the management stressed that his contributions remained highly valued.

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“His signature, as Governor during the Third Republic, enacted the legislative bill that transformed the former Tai Solarin College of Education into a degree-awarding institution — a pivotal act in our institutional metamorphosis,” it stated.

The university further clarified that the conferment of honorary degrees was not limited to governors alone, noting that all paramount rulers in Ogun State and other distinguished Nigerians had also been honoured over time.

The management condemned what it described as attempts to distort facts and urged the public to disregard the misinformation.

“We affirm our unwavering commitment to recognising excellence and distinguished service in accordance with our established traditions and institutional prerogative,” the statement said.

The clarification comes amid social media debates suggesting that Daniel was sidelined in the university’s honorary awards, a development linked by observers to ongoing political disagreements between the Ogun State Government and the former governor, despite both belonging to the All Progressives Congress.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that TASUED announced plans to confer honorary doctorate degrees on First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and former governor Olusegun Osoba at its 17th convocation ceremony, scheduled to hold between January 23 and 29, 2026.

According to the university, Senator Tinubu will receive a Doctor of Science (D.Sc. Ed.) Honoris Causa in Childhood Education, Governor Abiodun a D.Sc. Ed. in Education Management, while Osoba will be awarded a D.Sc. Ed. in Political Science.

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Buni unveils biomedical centre, awards N30m to TeenEagle champions in Yobe

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Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, on Thursday inaugurated the permanent site of the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre at Yobe State University, Damaturu, saying the facility would strengthen medical research and innovation in the state.

Buni said the state government invested over N800m in the construction of the centre, also known as BioRTC, describing it as a major step towards positioning the university as a hub for biomedical research and international collaboration.

Speaking at the commissioning, the governor said the centre was designed to build capacity in biomedical sciences, support advanced research and close gaps in Africa’s medical research ecosystem.

According to him, much of Africa’s medical research has relied on findings from foreign environments that do not always reflect local realities.

‎“Africa has relied for too long on medical research conducted in different climates, environments, cultures, and lifestyles, often without adequate consideration for our peculiarities and genetic diversity,” the governor said.

He added that the facility would promote research that is accurate, inclusive and tailored to African health challenges.

The governor also disclosed plans by his administration to establish an additional dialysis centre in Gashua before the end of the year, noting that it would ease the burden of travel for kidney patients in the area.

‎“We have continued to support dialysis services, and the new centre in Gashua will reduce the hardship of long-distance travel for patients,” he said.

Buni further revealed that more than 1,000 participants from Yobe State, other parts of Nigeria and across Africa had benefited from BioRTC’s training programmes, including summer schools and workshops, fully funded by the state government.

At the event, the governor announced a N30m cash award and full government scholarships for three Yobe indigenes who emerged winners at the TeenEagle 2025 competition held in London, United Kingdom.

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The beneficiaries — Nafisa Abdullahi, Hadiza Kashim Kalli and Rukayya Mohammed Fema — are students of Nigerian Tulip International College who reportedly outperformed over 20,000 contestants from 69 countries.

Each of the students received N10m and was awarded a scholarship up to tertiary level.

‎“Their success reflects our sustained investment in education and human capital development,” he said.

He added that the state currently spends over N2.6bn annually on scholarships for 890 students at Nigerian Tulip International College, including the three TeenEagle champions.

Earlier, the Founder and Director of BioRTC, Prof. Mahmoud Bukar Maina, said the centre had attracted equipment donations worth over N10bn, providing a strong foundation for advanced research.

 

 

Also speaking, Prof. Amadi O. Ihunwo of the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa said the centre was equipped with facilities for advanced cellular, molecular and neuroscience research that are rarely found in many African universities.‎‎

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NELFUND extends loan application deadline

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The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has extended the application deadline for the 2025/2026 academic session to February 27, 2026.

The fund announced the extension in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, saying the earlier deadline of January 31, 2026, was shifted to give prospective applicants additional time to complete and submit their applications.

According to the Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the decision was taken to ensure that no eligible student is excluded from the process due to timing constraints.

“The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has announced an extension of the application deadline for the 2025/2026 academic session from January 31, 2026, to February 27, 2026,” the statement read.

Commenting on the extension, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, said the move underscored the Fund’s commitment to inclusivity and access.

“This extension reflects our commitment to inclusivity and access. We understand that some applicants may require additional time to complete their submissions, and this decision ensures that every eligible Nigerian student has a fair opportunity to benefit from the Fund,” he said.

NELFUND urged students who are yet to apply or who have not completed their applications to take advantage of the extended deadline and ensure that all required information is submitted on or before February 27, 2026.

The fund added that further information and updates would be communicated through its official channels.

NELFUND was established to administer the Nigeria Student Loan Scheme, which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in April 2024.

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Under the scheme, the Federal Government provides interest-free loans to students in public tertiary institutions to cover tuition fees and living expenses.

Applications for the programme opened in May 2024 to ease financial barriers to education, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds.

As of January 29, 2026, a total of N174,561,719,810 had been disbursed under the student loan scheme.

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