Education

Oyebanji tasks universities on producing solution providers

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has called on universities in the country to prioritize research efforts aimed at tackling critical challenges confronting this nation as well as producing graduates who are solution providers.

Governor Oyebanji, made the call on Saturday at the 8th convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, stressing the need for institutions to produce graduates equipped with the skills and mindset to tackle the pressing problems of the country head-on.

Governor Oyebanji, at the event which was attended by Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and other eminent personalities, justified the importance of nurturing a generation of problem solvers poised to drive sustainable development. He urged universities to revamp their curricula to emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and entrepreneurship that could provide solution to the problems of this country.

Emphasizing the urgent need for homegrown solution to Nigeria’s divers’ challenges, Oyebanji stressed the importance of equipping students with practical skills and a real-world experience through hands-on learning and industry partnership.

While commending the University for their numerous achievement in about eight years of establishment, the Governor said “I have watched with keen interest the phenomenal growth of this university from 5,041 students to 51,000 in less than eight years as well as the quality of scholarship in the institution.

He congratulated the graduands and charged them to take the advantage of the training and learning they have acquired to contribute their quota to the society.

The Governor assured that his government will continue to collaborate with the institution for greater development and growth of the school.

“As a government, we will continue to collaborate with this institution but I plead with you sir, university must put a lot of emphasis on research, we must produces solution providers, people that will help to solve the problem of this country” the Governor asserted

The highpoint of the event was the conferment of honourary degree of the university on three eminent personalities which include Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele; Senator Solomon Adeola, and Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu.

While Senator Opeyemi Bamidele was conferred with the degree of Doctor of Public laws, Senator Solomon Adeola was conferred with Doctor of Accounting and Rt Hon Yusul Adamu, Doctor of Political science.

Speaking on behalf of the honouress, the Senate majority leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamile said they valued the honour conferred on them by the university and expressed their profound appreciation for the recognition bestowed upon them

He said the honorary degree conferred on them serves as testament to their dedication, achievement, and commitment to excellence in their respective fields.

Education

Tinubu appoints Awuzie substantive Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Chioma Awuzie as the substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.

Mr Chijioke Ibezimako, Public Relations Officer of the institution confirmed the appointment to NAN in Awka on Thursday.

Awuzie is a globally recognized scholar with a rich portfolio of research and publications.

Ibezimako said the appointment of Awuzie as Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko took effect from February 5 for a five-year term.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Chioma Awuzie as the Polytechnic Rector.

“This follows the recommendation of the Institution’s Governing Council under the chairmanship of Sen. Dr Barnabas Gemade,” he said.

Awuzie holds a Doctorate Degree in Physical and Materials Chemistry and Chief Lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology.

Until her appointment, Awuzie was the Director in charge of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, Projects in the Polytechnic.

She has held several leadership positions in the institution, including Head of the Department of Renewable Energy Research and Development, Director of the Petroleum, Coal, and Renewable Energy Research Unit, and Director of International Higher Education Academic Organisations.

Awuzie had served as Coordinator, Technical, Vocational Education, and Training, TVET.

She was part of the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, which drafted the Renewable Energy Technology curriculum for Nigerian Polytechnics, currently in use.

Education

NELFUND disburses N20bn to 192,906 students

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as of Feb.3, has disbursed a total of N20,074,050,000 for institutional fees, benefiting no fewer than 192,906 students across various tertiary institutions in the country.

This is contained in a statement by Akintunde Sawyerr, Managing Director, NELFUND, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.

Mr Sawyerr also disclosed that the Fund had so far received loan applications from no fewer than 364,042 students, adding that about 169,114 students had so far benefitted from the NELFUND’s monthly stipends disbursement.

He added that N12, 818,960,000, had been disbursed in this regard, with each student receiving N20, 000.

“We appreciate the unwavering support of President Bola Tinubu in making higher education accessible to all deserving Nigerian students.

“NELFUND remains committed to transparency and efficiency in managing the student loan scheme and will continue to provide accurate updates as disbursements progress.

NAN

Education

Kano revives school feeding program after three years

The Kano State Government has revived its school feeding program across public primary schools and early childhood care centers, with an estimated budget of N2.2 billion.

The initiative, captured in the 2025 budget allocation aims to enhance the nutritional well-being of pupils, boost learning capacity, and improve school enrollment and retention through community participation.

The program, previously implemented under the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, was suspended in Kano three years ago due to irregularities, including poor service delivery and fund mismanagement, which hampered its success.

Additionally, the government has allocated N1.8 billion in the 2025 budget to provide meals for students in public secondary boarding schools, which were recently reopened by the current administration. These schools had been shut down by the previous government due to security concerns.

Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Musa Sulaiman Shanono, disclosed these details while briefing journalists on the sectoral allocations and breakdown of the 2025 budget.

According to Shanono, education received the largest share of the budget, with an allocation of over N205 billion—accounting for 29% of the total budget—reflecting Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s commitment to revitalizing the sector and improving educational outcomes.

Further allocations include N912 million for grants and contributions to overseas university students, while local students will receive N2.7 billion in scholarship allowances.