Education
Education Sector: FG Invests N1.3trl in Four Years
As CBN plans support for Diagnostic Centres
By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing quality of education in the country.
The President gave the assurance when he inaugurated the newly completed Post-Graduate Centre of Excellence at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, constructed and donated to the school by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Before unveiling the commemorative plaque to formally inaugurate the edifice that sits on a total floor area of 34,102.81sqm, President Buhari said the construction of the project was a testimony to his administration’s effort at supporting qualitative learning from the primary through to the tertiary level.
According to him, his administration, in the past four years, had invested about N1.3 trillion in the educational sector of the country, excluding personnel and overhead costs.The President assured that his administration, in its second term, in spite of funding challenges, will continue to accord education priority by ensuring adequate funding for the sector to make it affordable, qualitative and competitive with what was obtainable in more developed countries.
While lauding the vision of the late Sarduana of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello in establishing the university, he commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for supporting the Federal Government’s investments in the educational sector as well as other keys areas of the economy tied to overall national development, he urged the Bank to sustain such funding support for research and overall economic development.
Welcoming the President to the complex earlier, the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele said the Bank’s involvement in the funding and infrastructural support in the educational sector was borne out of the conviction that an educated workforce played a critical role in the advancement of the Nigerian economy and the society in general.
He said the Bank’s analysis of the factors responsible for the growth of successful economies, indicated that investment in education played a prominent role in driving innovation and growth in advanced and emerging economies, while also contributing to significant reductions in inequality. Hence, he said the CBN, being a knowledge-driven organization, had to ensure the sustenance of improvements in institutions of higher learning across the country.
The Centre of Excellence, according to the apex bank boss, was also designed to accommodate the Central Bank of Nigeria Collaborative Postgraduate Programme (CBN-CPP), which he described as a child of necessity in the Bank’s intervention programme in the educational sub-sector. He explained that the project was conceived to produce a critical mass of skilled professionals that will be able to apply their knowledge towards supporting growth and continued innovation in our nation’s financial sector and the economy in general. “This was against the recognition that the dearth of skilled manpower constituted a binding constraint towards making Nigeria the number 1 hub for economic activity in Africa, he added.
He also disclosed that the three first generation federal universities in the country across the six geo-political zones (Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan and the University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka) were selected under the first phase of the intervention programme. He added that the programme was later expanded to cover six other tertiary institutions across Nigeria, which are nearing completion.
He added that the project was mainly to ensure that students at post-graduate levels in Economics, Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration and Statistics study in a serene environment that would stimulate effective learning with a view to building human capacity for the financial services sub-sector.
Emefiele assured that the CBN, working closely with all the participating universities, had taken steps to ensure that this investment yields considerable benefits. Specifically, he said the curricula for the target disciplines had been reviewed and harmonized across board to ensure students are provided with the optimum level of knowledge relative to their peers in other parts of the globe.
“We believe that the Centres of Excellence will help support the government’s efforts towards reducing the incidence of brain drain, and curtail the huge foreign exchange being spent on school fees for Nigerians studying in other countries,” Emefiele said.
While disclosing that the three Centres of Excellence in Zaria, Enugu and Ibadan will commence operation in October 2019, he said the CBN expected the universities to take maximum advantage of the world class facilities provided by the Bank to challenge their counterparts in London, New York and Dubai in the provision of training programmes in banking and finance-related disciplines for the global business community
He also thanked stakeholders in the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the contractor, Messrs Afdin Nigeria Limited, for their support in completing the project, stressing that such collaborations were necessary for progress.
The Post-Graduate School project, similar to the project inaugurated by President Buhari at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC) in January 2019, comprises a Faculty building and a block of rooms, as well as a 544-seater auditorium, four lecture and four tutorial rooms, traditional and e-libraries, and a telepresence room.
Meanwhile, the CBN Governor has disclosed plans by the Bank, in the near future, to also provide funding support for the health sector in the country, through the establishment of six diagnostic centres across the geo-political zones of the country.
He said the decision of the Bank to support the health sector was based on the realization that education and health formed the bedrock of development in any society.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reminded prospective candidates that registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will close on Feb. 26.
The board advised candidates intending to sit for the examination to complete their registration immediately, stating that the deadline would not be extended under any circumstance.
This was contained in the board’s weekly bulletin released on Monday.
The board expressed concerns over the low turnout of candidates at several accredited registration centres at this stage of the exercise.
It said that the recurring trend of delaying registration until the last minute and then agitating for extension would not be tolerated in 2026.
“This recurring pattern, where candidates deliberately delay registration until the final days and subsequently begin to agitate for an extension, will not be entertained in 2026.
“JAMB is fully aware of the deliberate tactics of examination cheats and individuals masquerading as tutorial centre owners, who misleadingly advise candidates to delay registration until the last minute.
“This strategy is often aimed at forcing an extension of the registration period, thereby enabling the mass movement of candidates to centres in groups, which facilitates examination malpractice,” it said.
JAMB explained that the 2026 UTME registration commenced on Jan. 26 and was scheduled to last for five weeks, noting that the timeline remained unchanged.
The board disclosed that about one million candidates had so far indicated interest in the examination, while many had procured their ePINs and were expected to complete registration promptly.
It added that extending the registration period was impracticable because its operational calendar was aligned with those of other examination bodies.
JAMB advised candidates to register early, avoid last-minute rush and disregard any suggestion that the deadline would be extended.
The board emphasised that it would not be responsible for candidates who failed to act within the stipulated time.
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for External Candidates, 52 days after the last paper was written, with 71.63 per cent of candidates achieving five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.
The results were announced yesterday at NECO’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State, by the Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof.
Dantani Wushishi, during a press briefing and a video statement posted on the council’s official X handle.According to Prof. Wushishi, a total of 96,979 candidates registered for the examination, comprising 51,823 males (53.
43 per cent) and 45,156 females (46.56 per cent). Out of this number, 95,160 candidates actually sat for the examination, which covered 16 subjects.A breakdown of the performance shows that 93,425 candidates sat for English Language, out of which 73,167, representing 78.32 per cent, obtained credit and above. In Mathematics, 93,330 candidates participated, with 85,256 candidates, or 91.36 per cent, scoring credit and above.
Overall, 68,166 candidates, representing 71.63 per cent, obtained five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics. In addition, 82,082 candidates, or 86.26 per cent, achieved five credits and above irrespective of English and Mathematics.
Prof. Wushishi reiterated NECO’s zero tolerance for examination malpractice, noting that while standards and examination integrity were maintained from planning to result release, cases of malpractice increased significantly. He disclosed that 9,016 cases of examination malpractice were recorded in 2025, compared with 6,160 cases in 2024, representing an increase of about 31 per cent.
As part of disciplinary measures, five supervisors—two from the Federal Capital Territory and one each from Kano, Adamawa and Ondo States—were recommended for blacklisting for aiding and abetting malpractice. Additionally, four examination centres—two in Niger State and one each in Yobe and Kano States—were recommended for de-recognition over involvement in whole-centre malpractice.
The Registrar advised candidates to check their results on NECO’s official website using their examination registration numbers.
The SSCE External Examination is designed mainly for private candidates who are outside the regular school system, including those seeking to obtain certification or improve previously earned grades.
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Federal University, Lokoja (FUL), has matriculated 9,097 students for the 2025/2026 academic session with a warning to them to avoid examination malpractice, cultism, and other social vices that could ruin their academic pursuit.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi in his speech at the 14th Matriculation Ceremony of the institution, held at the Felele Main Campus over the weekend, affirmed that the University would hold the new students accountable to the oath they have taken
“Dear matriculants, let me clearly state that with studentship comes accountability and discipline.
You are expected to take your academic work seriously.“Please note that any student with less than 75% class attendance shall not be eligible to sit for examinations at the end of each semester. Attendance is not optional; it is mandatory.
“You must also avoid every form of examination misconduct and malpractice. The University has zero tolerance for such acts, and the penalties are severe.
“Similarly, you are advised to stay away from drug abuse and substance use, as these are corrosive habits that destroy lives and futures.
“The University equally maintains strict standards on decency in appearance. You are therefore required to comply fully with the approved dress code at all times. Decency reflects discipline, and discipline is the pathway to success.
“Be security conscious at all times, and promptly report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities. You are also strongly advised to stay away from all forms of violent protest throughout your stay in the University. Dialogue, not violence, remains the acceptable means of engagement.
“Every matriculant is expected to obtain a copy of the Students’ Handbook, study it carefully, and adhere strictly to the rules and regulations enshrined therein. Let me emphasize that ignorance of the rules is not an excuse.
Beyond academics, I encourage you to participate actively in sporting and recreational activities, as these contribute to your physical well-being and holistic development.
“Respect your colleagues and all members of staff of the University, as mutual respect will make your stay here peaceful, productive, and fulfilling.
“Remain focused on why you are here; to learn, to grow, and to prepare for the future. Do not be an NFA—No Future Ambition student. Have a vision, set goals, and pursue them with diligence”.
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