Education
FG Commissions 13 Projects at NARICT

By Aondowase Kajo, Abuja
The Federal Government on Friday, commissioned 13 projects at the National Institute of Chemical Technology (NARICT), in Zaria.
The Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi, visited the agency on a familiarization and commissioning of the projects; and commended the efforts of Director- General/ CEO Professor Jeffrey Barminas and the management of the Institute in conceiving and actualizing the enormous task for the benefit of the nation.
The Minister said what he saw gave him additional motivation towards supporting the interest of the Agency, assuring that he would do his possible best to protect the interest of the Agency.
Barrister Abdullahi also reiterated that the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has set out policies that will bring about solutions to the myriad of challenges facing the country, particularly in the areas of unemployment and insecurity.
He further added that, the Ministry through the application of science technology and innovation understood the role it needs to play in providing the requisite Guidance and Leadership to Agencies under its purview towards making sure the Country’s resources are sustained.
The Presidential Executive Order No. 5, he added, is another monumental step by the Ministry which all MDAs are required to comply with; to recognize the pivotal role of Science, Technology and Innovation in National Economic Development, particularly in the area of harnessing and promoting home made goods and services.
The Minister also met with the newly Inaugurated Board Members and charged them to cooperate and synergize with the DG in ensuring that they come up with positive solutions that will benefit the Agency and the Country.
Among the projects Commissioned by the Minister includes; Upgrading and Enhancement of NARICT Library Complex (NARICT E- Granatary Digital Library), NARICT Library Conference Hall- Renovated and Refurbished with over 200 sitting capacity, Rehabilitation of Minero- Organic Fertilizer Plant: Fabrications and Installation of 1.25 Tons/ Hour Dryer for Fertilizer Production, Chemical, Biological Radiology, Nuclear and Explosive Decontamination Facilities, Pilot plant for Production of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate for Pharmaceutical and Allied Industries Building, Model Plant for the Production of Fuel Using Plants, Tyres and Plastics ( Pyrolysis) to mention but few.
Abdullahi in conclusion appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for entrusting them with the responsibility to serve the Nation in one of the key Ministries the Country depends on.
Earlier, the Interim Board Chairman Alhaji Tasiu Gano thanked the President for accepting their appointment as Board Members and promised to give their best as Board Members in making sure they make the country proud through their contributions.
The DG/ CEO Professor Jeffrey Barminas in his closing remark,thanked the Minister for his commitment and immense contributions towards the development of the country.
Education
UNICAL VC Promises to Resolve Dentistry Students’ Crisis

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi has promised that she would do everything humanly possible to ensure that the ongoing crisis in the institution’s Department of Dentistry, is resolved.
Prof.
Obi made the promise in Calabar during a press briefing, stressing that she will resolve the crisis before leaving office.She explained that the problem predates her administration, and pledged to intensify efforts to rectify the crisis.
She added that the crisis was as a result of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)’s refusal to induct 2016 Dentistry students of the institution.She also debunked claims circulating on social media that the institution’s Dentistry programme has lost its accreditation, describing the reports as “misinformation and distortion of facts,” clarifying that the programme remains fully accredited and no students have been directed to transfer to other universities.
“At no point did the University ask Dentistry students to seek transfers to other institutions, nor were they advised to ‘go and learn a trade’ as falsely alleged online,” the VC stated.
“I will feel very bad if I leave without solving this problem and the students are left hanging without knowing their fate. I won’t be fulfilled,” she said.
She reaffirmed the University’s commitment to ensuring all Dentistry students graduate and are duly licensed as dental surgeons.
She noted that the Dentistry programme commenced in the 2013/2014 academic session, and in November 2019, the University secured pre-clinical accreditation from the MDCN and full clinical accreditation was subsequently granted in December 2022.
The VC added that the university’s synergy and partnership with the Minister of Education and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to upgrade its facilities.
“All we asked for is time to engage with other institutions, update the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), and follow through on due processes,” she noted.
Speaking further, Obi said that some of the affected students demanded to be transferred to the Department of Medicine and Surgery but said it was not the solution as the department was already saturated.
She urged the affected students to remain calm, noting that the university was doing everything possible to resolve the issues before the end of her tenure.
Education
NUT Reaffirms Commitment to Teachers’ Professional Development in Kwara

From Abdullahi Abubakar, Ilorin
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kwara State Wing has restated its commitment to strengthening the professional growth of teachers across the State, to enhance the quality of education delivered in public schools. Speaking at the opening of a three-day capacity-building workshop in Ilorin, the State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Yusuf Wahab Agboola, noted that continuous training of teachers remains a vital component of educational reform and improved classroom delivery.
The training, organised in collaboration with the NUT National Secretariat, is targeted at selected teachers and focuses on the “Study Circle Conveners’ Model”—a grassroots strategy for enhancing peer-to-peer learning and participatory leadership within the education sector.
Comrade Agboola explained that the workshop aims to equip teachers with practical skills in collaborative learning, peer engagement, and innovative teaching practices. He expressed optimism that the training would promote professional bonding among teachers and foster collective solutions to challenges facing the education sector.Also speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of the NUT Study Circle Project, Comrade Solomon Igbelowowa, traced the initiative’s roots to 1985 when it was introduced in Nigeria by the Swedish Teachers Association, having recorded success in Sweden and other parts of the world. He commended the Nigerian Union of Teachers for sustaining the project over the years and urged participants to engage fully and make the most of the training opportunity.
The workshop was officially declared open by the National President of the NUT, Audu Amba, who was represented by the 3rd National Vice President, Bashir Oyewo.
He encouraged teachers to approach the sessions with dedication and punctuality.
Education
JAMB Sets 150 Cut-off Mark for University Admissions

By Tony Obiechina Abuja
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has fixed 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for admission into Nigerian universities for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The decision was reached on Tuesday during the 2025 Policy Meeting on Admissions, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, with stakeholders from various tertiary institutions in attendance.
According to JAMB, 140 was approved as the minimum score for colleges of nursing sciences, while polytechnics, colleges of education, and colleges of agriculture will admit candidates with a minimum score of 100.
“The minimum admissible scores for admissions for the next academic session have been fixed at 150 for universities, 100 for polytechnics, 100 for colleges of education, and 140 for colleges of nursing sciences by the stakeholders (Heads of Tertiary Institutions),” JAMB announced via its official X account.