Education

How Nigerians can apply for 2027/2028 UK commonwealth scholarship – FG

Published

3 weeks ago

September 15, 2026

The Federal Ministry of Education has invited qualified Nigerian university graduates to apply for the 2027/2028 Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowship Plan, with applications closing on October 20, 2026.

The scholarship notice was shared by the Lagos State Scholarship Board.

The scholarships, which are tenable in the United Kingdom, are available for a one-year taught Master’s programme or doctoral studies of up to three years.

The notice was issued by the ministry’s Department of Scholarship Awards, formerly known as the Federal Scholarship Board, and signed by the Director Overseeing the Office of PSE, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, for the Minister of Education.

According to the notice, applicants for the Master’s category must have a first degree with at least a Second Class Upper Division.

For doctoral studies, applicants are required to possess a relevant Master’s degree in addition to at least a Second Class Lower Division in their first degree.

Applicants for both categories must have secured admission into at least two UK institutions.

Doctoral applicants are also required to provide a supporting statement from a prospective supervisor at their chosen UK institution.

The ministry further listed evidence of participation in the National Youth Service Corps among the eligibility requirements.

The notice stated that the selection process would focus on three key areas.

“Applications will be assessed on Academic merit, Development impact on completion and Quality of Study plan,” it said.

How to apply

The notice said all applications must be submitted through the Electronic Application System.

Applicants are required to register on the EAS portal and complete the application form online.

They must also upload scanned copies of their passport photographs, university academic transcripts, birth certificates and admission letters received from a UK institution listed in the application form.

Completed applications must be submitted online on or before October 20, 2026.

After submitting the application, candidates are required to create a PDF version of the completed form, download and print one hard copy for submission at the interview venue.

The notice said foreign certificates must be accompanied by official translation and evaluation.

It also advised applicants to consider Nigeria’s developmental priority areas relevant to their fields of specialisation when preparing their study proposals.

The priority areas include education; health; economic growth and the private sector; governance and conflict; climate and environment; water and sanitation; engineering; science and technology; food and nutrition; and humanitarian disasters and emergencies.

The ministry also advised prospective applicants to ensure that their proposed studies align with Nigeria’s development needs.

Prospective applicants were advised to consult the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website for further information on the scholarship and selection criteria.

Further enquiries may be directed to the Director, Department of Scholarship Awards, through fsb@education.gov.ng, 09124516750 or 09082454557.

Application portal: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships-results/?wpv_view_count=13930&wpv-cscukscholarshipcountry=nigeria&wpv_filter_submit=search

Source: punchng.com

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Education

World Teachers’ Day: ADC gov candidate urges urgent action on Sokoto teachers’ salaries, welfare

Published

14 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Dan’iya, has called on the state government to urgently address salary delays, employment uncertainties and welfare concerns affecting teachers across the state.

Dan’iya made the call in a statement issued on Monday by his Media Aide, Aminu Abdullahi, to mark the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.

He commended teachers in the state for their dedication and sacrifices in educating children despite the challenges confronting the profession.

However, the ADC candidate said the annual celebration should go beyond ceremonies and commendations to address the difficulties faced by teachers.

He expressed particular concern over reports of delays in the payment of September 2026 salaries of primary school teachers, saying teachers should not be left uncertain about their remuneration.

“You cannot build a strong education system while the people entrusted with educating our children are worried about whether their salaries will be paid, whether their appointments will stand, or whether they will receive the training and professional support required to do their jobs effectively,” Dan’iya stated.

He also raised concerns over reports that about 4,000 teachers were deleted from the state payroll after the current administration assumed office.

Dan’iya, however, noted that payroll deletions should not automatically be interpreted as formal dismissal, urging the government to provide clarity on the status of affected personnel.

The ADC candidate further cited the state government’s September 23 announcement of a committee to verify 3,100 newly recruited civil servants and facilitate salary payments to eligible workers.

He said while verification could be necessary for proper payroll management, legitimately employed workers should not be subjected to prolonged uncertainty over their appointments and salaries.

“Verification may be necessary for proper payroll management, but teachers and other legitimately employed workers deserve a clear timetable and prompt resolution rather than prolonged uncertainty over their appointments and remuneration,” he said.

Dan’iya urged the government to ensure that committees and verification exercises translate into tangible improvements in the lives of teachers.

He also called for regular training and professional development, adequate teaching materials, improved working environments and clear career progression for teachers.

According to him, improving education requires more than budgetary allocations and infrastructure projects, as the welfare and capacity of teachers remain central to learning outcomes.

He also called for attention to challenges confronting universities, colleges and other tertiary institutions in the state, saying interventions in education infrastructure must be complemented by competent personnel and sustainable welfare arrangements.

Dan’iya urged the Sokoto State Government to urgently resolve outstanding salary and employment issues, establish a transparent mechanism for addressing payroll complaints and provide clarity on the status of affected workers.

He reaffirmed his commitment to placing the welfare, dignity and professional development of teachers at the centre of efforts to improve education in the state.

Source: punchng.com

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Education

WAEC confirms new Nigeria head

Published

16 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The West African Examinations Council has officially announced the appointment of 56-year-old Suleiman Kum as the Head of the Nigeria National Office.

Before his appointment, Kum was Deputy Registrar in the HNO’s office and served as Senior Deputy Registrar, Test Administration, WAEC, until the end of August.

The PUNCH reported on Friday that Kum had emerged as the new HNO.

He succeeds Dr Amos Dangut, whose three-year tenure expired on October 1, 2026. Dangut has since assumed office as Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of WAEC.

In a statement on Sunday, the Head of Public Affairs, WAEC Nigeria, Moyosola Adesina, described the new HNO as “a seasoned test developer, administrator and executive” who joined the council on July 17, 1998, as Assistant Registrar II.

Kum was particularly noted for pioneering “Variable Data Printing and enhanced code-security features in security printing, replacing council-wide attendance systems with facial-recognition biometric devices and leading the seamless delivery of Achievement Tests using the Computer-Based Examination mode.”

The statement added that he had extensive knowledge of test development, test administration, examination security, and branch and zonal office management.

“Throughout his career, he has driven administrative and technological innovations, including establishing the Gusau office as a Custodial Centre,” it stated.

Kum, who hails from Plateau State, holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the National Open University of Nigeria and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Educational Administration and Planning at NOUN.

The statement said Kum had served in various key operational capacities, including Assistant Registrar II/Head, Exams Security, Awka; Assistant Registrar I/Head, Exams Security, Yola; Assistant Registrar I/Head, Exams Security, Makurdi; Senior Assistant Registrar I/Branch Controller, Gusau; Principal Assistant Registrar/Branch Controller, Kano.

He also served as Deputy Registrar/Head, Security Printing Department; Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator, Port Harcourt; Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator, Ikeja; Director of Administration; and Senior Deputy Registrar/Test Administration.

The statement added, “Throughout his eventful career, Mr Kum has shown integrity, diligence, innovation and a strong commitment to service. His leadership across various portfolios has earned him numerous institutional commendations, accolades and awards within the Council and beyond.”

Source: punchng.com

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Education

Appeal Court affirms 2-year jail term on UNICAL Professor convicted of s£xual harassment

Published

1 week ago

September 26, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Court of Appeal has affirmed two-year-jail sentence on Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon, former Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, for soliciting p0rnographic, indecent and obscene photographs from a female student.

J. Okor Odey, Head, Media and Public Communications, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC revealed this in a statement on Friday, September 25.

According to the statement, the Abuja Division of Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CR/1798/2025, upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which convicted Prof Ndifon on one count charge and sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.

The conviction arose from evidence put before the trial court that Professor Ndifon, while serving as Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, solicited p0rnographic, indecent and obscene photographs from a female student through electronic communication.

The offence in Count One was prosecuted under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

Following a protracted trial, the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, found the prosecution’s evidence sufficient to establish the offence against the former Dean beyond reasonable doubt.

The trial court subsequently convicted Professor Ndifon on November 17, 2025, and sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment on Count One and five years on Count Two, without the option of a fine.

The sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

Professor Ndifon, dissatisfied with the judgment, appealed to the Court of Appeal, challenging his conviction and sentence.

The appellate court, having considered the grounds of appeal, affirmed the conviction and sentence in respect of Count One.

ICPC, in the statement noted that the affirmation by the Court of Appeal means that the conviction of Professor Ndifon on the cybercrime-related offence contained in Count One has now been sustained by the appellate court.

The case originated from allegations concerning the conduct of Prof. Ndifon towards female students while he was Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar.

During the trial, the ICPC presented evidence relating to communications between the appellant and a female student, including electronic communications which formed part of the evidence relied upon by the prosecution.

The prosecution’s case was that Professor Ndifon, by virtue of his position as Dean and the authority attached to that office, was in a position to exercise significant influence over students of the Faculty.

The allegation in count one specifically concerned the solicitation of p0rnographic, indecent and obscene photographs from a student.

In its consideration of the evidence, the Federal High Court examined the testimony of prosecution witnesses as well as the electronic evidence tendered before it. The court ultimately held that the ingredients of the offence charged under the Cybercrime Act had been established beyond reasonable doubt.

The Court of Appeal has now affirmed that finding in respect of Count One, thereby sustaining the conviction and the two-year custodial sentence imposed on Professor Ndifon for the offence

With respect to Count Two, which concerned the allegation of conferment of an undue advantage contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, the Court of Appeal took a different position on jurisdiction.

The appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the offence under the ICPC Act and consequently ordered the Respondent to commence prosecution of Professor Ndifon on the count before the High Court of Cross River State.

But Odey said the ICPC is currently taking steps to challenge this aspect of the judgment before the appropriate superior court.

According to him, the Commission considers the jurisdictional question arising from Count Two to be a matter requiring further judicial determination.

“The Commission wishes to emphasise that the appellate court’s decision on Count Two does not affect its affirmation of the conviction on Count One. The conviction for soliciting pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs from a student remains affirmed by the Court of Appeal.

“The Commission reiterates its commitment to the prosecution of corruption, abuse of office and other related offences, particularly where public or institutional authority is allegedly used to exploit persons under the authority or influence of an accused person.

“The ICPC also reaffirms its commitment to conducting its investigations and prosecutions strictly within the provisions of the law and in accordance with due process.

“The Commission respects the decisions of the courts and will continue to utilise the available legal avenues where it considers further judicial clarification necessary.

“The Commission will provide further updates on the matter as the legal process progresses,” Odey said.

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