Education
Almajiri System: APC North-west Supports FG Stance

The North west zonal office of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said it would support the Federal Government in controlling the menace of street begging and the Almajiri system of Islamic education in the country.
The zonal Organising Secretary of the party, Alhaji Abdulmanaf Muhammad, made the declaration during the party’s stakeholders meeting held in Daura on yesterday.
He said the Almajiri system which was aimed at providing Islamic education, has been bastardised by some section of the society through child neglect, labour and servitude.
He described the present trend of the Almajiri system as a process of wasting the talents of children and denying them the opportunity to seek for proper Islamic and western education.
He noted that the Almajiris have been confined to very harsh conditions of degradation, deprivation and unnecessary exploitation, as their teachers and families sometimes relied on them to survive.
Muhammad added that the practice also jeopardises the peace and tranquility of the nation through infiltration of illegal immigrants in the name of seeking for Islamic education.
He noted that the traditional Almajiri system also served as breeding ground for miscreants and other undesirable elements who camouflaged to cause havoc in the society, stressing that the dreaded Boko Haram was a product of the system.
According to him, most of the children under the system are being exposed to dangerous foreign ideas that are inimical to the socioeconomic development of the nation.
The APC zonal organising secretary said most of the teachers could not read or interpret Islamic injunctions properly and only use the system as their means of livelihood, instead of imparting the right and appropriate Islamic education to the Almajiris as done in other countries operating similar system of education.
He therefore called on parents to imbibe the civilised culture of enrolling their children in modern Islamic schools close to them to enable the children acquire proper Islamic and western education.
Muhammad said that the party would unconditionally rally round the federal and state governments, as well as traditional rulers to ensure reform of the system away from the present level of servitude and exploitation of children.
The organizing secretary appreciated the efforts being made by Governor Aminu Masari to enact a law to control the Almajiri system in Katsina state.
He regretted that the Almajiri system has brought negative stereotyping of the Hausa/Fulani as lazy, who beg for alms to survive.
Muhammad lauded the Buhari administration for its willingness to control and modernise the Almajiri system of education in line with present realities.
Source: NAN
Education
ASUU Supports 12 Indigents Students With Scholarships in Bauchi Zone

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has awarded scholarships to 12 academically outstanding but financially disadvantaged indigents students across its Bauchi Zone.
The Bauchi Zone includes: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) Bauchi.
Others are Gombe State University, Federal University Kashere, University of Jos and Plateau State University Bokkos.
During the presentation held at the ASUU Secretariat, SAZU Bauchi on Saturday, the 12 beneficiaries received cheques worth ₦200,000 each from the national body of the Union.
Prof. Christopher Piwuna, Convener of the ASUU Grant, Research and Publications Committee was represented by Prof.
Lawan Abubakar, the immediate past Zonal Coordinator.Piwuna explained that the scholarships aimed to support brilliant students who were hindered by financial hardship.
“This initiative was born out of the need to counter the government’s rising imposition of school charges, which continues to burden students and their families,” he said.
Piwuna added that ASUU believed that such financial aid should be a grant, not a loan, noting: “We don’t expect any repayment from the beneficiaries or their parents.”
Prof. Namo Aku, the Zonal Coordinator, said that while the national body supported 12 students, the six universities in the zone collectively sponsored additional 18 indigenous students.
“ATBU and Gombe State University sponsored five students each, Plateau University and University of Jos sponsored two each, while SAZU and Federal University Kashere sponsored two students apiece,” he said.
Aku emphasized that ASUU’s mission includes supporting the less privileged through collective contributions from lecturers who are passionate about students’ success.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Bappa Salisu, a Pharmacy student at SAZU, expressed gratitude to the Union.
“We are deeply thankful for this opportunity. It motivates us to work harder and live up to the expectations of those who believe in us,” he said
Education
Nursing Education Soars As Annual Enrollment leaps To 115,000
By Tony Obiechina Abuja
In a groundbreaking leap for Nigeria’s healthcare and education sectors, Nigeria has reached a transformative milestone in healthcare education.
This is just as annual nursing enrollment has surged from 28,000, as it was on May 28th 2023 when the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led-administration was inaugurated, to an unprecedented 115,000 as a result of Mr.
President’s initiative.The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on revitalizing the education and health sectors.
In line with the administration’s emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences (STEMM), the Federal Ministries of Education and Health & Social Welfare, under the leadership of Dr.
Alausa and his counterpart, Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, have successfully surpassed the initial set out target of 110,000 nursing students annually enrolled at our nursing colleges to 115,000.The Minister thanked stakeholders, industry leaders, the Nigerian Council of Nurses and Midwifery, teaching hospitals, and Ministry staff for their contributions towards this great achievement.
According to a statement by Mrs Folashade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations on Monday, “This increased enrollment capacity signals a transformative era for nursing education in Nigeria, positioning the country to meet domestic and global demands for qualified healthcare professionals”
Education
2025 UTME kicks Off At CBT Centers In Awka

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu
Awka, April 24, 2025 (NAN) The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) officially started on Thursday at multiple Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in Awka, the capital of Anambra.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored activities at several centres in Awka and surrounding areas, observed that the examination was going on smoothly.
Some of the centres visited are the Integral Development Konsult(IDK) on Enugu/Onitsha Expressway, White House in Awka, Grafil Centre and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Others included St. John of God ICT Hub, Awka and Kachukwu Ventures Staff Development Center, behind Government House in Awka.
(NAN)NAN also reports that the examination centres take candidates in three batches: 7.00 a.m., 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 p.m.
At the St. John of God ICT Hub, candidates described the process as smooth and free of any major hitches.
Miss Ifeoma Mbah, a candidate who took part in the examination, praised the officials at the centre and JAMB for creating a peaceful and conducive environment for the exercise.
“This is my first time writing the UTME, and I’m really pleased. The computers functioned properly, everything was well-organised, and the calm atmosphere helped me concentrate. I did my best,” she said.
At the Grafil Centre, the examination was observed to be proceeding smoothly, with the exception of a few candidates who missed their scheduled time.
Michael Nnaji, a candidate, explained that he traveled from a distant town and faced transportation challenges, which caused him to arrive late at the centre.
“The exam had already started by the time I got here. I’m really hoping and praying that the officials will reschedule it for me,” he said.
Another candidate, Ezekiel Okpala, said this was his second time taking the UTME, and he remained hopeful about gaining university admission.
“This is my second attempt at the UTME. With the experience I’ve gained, I was able to handle the questions better.
“I”m very optimistic that I’ll pass and secure admission this time,” he said.
NAN reports that no fewer than two million candidates are expected to write the JAMB UTME, which commenced on April 24 and would end on May 5.
Officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were seen monitoring and securing the accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.