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FG to Scrap HND Dichotomy, Empower Polytechnics to Award Degrees

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FG to Scrap HND Dichotomy, Empower Polytechnics to Award Degrees

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to abolish the long-standing HND dichotomy and empower polytechnics to award Bachelor’s degrees, marking a major reform aimed at ending discrimination against Higher National Diploma (HND) holders and strengthening technical and vocational education in the country.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, who said the policy will reposition polytechnics as degree-awarding institutions while preserving their core focus on practical, skills-based training. According to the government, the reform will finally address decades of inequality that placed HND graduates at a disadvantage compared to BSc holders in employment, career progression, and public service appointments.

Under the proposed framework, polytechnics will be upgraded to offer Bachelor’s degrees in relevant fields, particularly technology, engineering, manufacturing, ICT, agriculture, and applied sciences. The government said this move aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises human capital development, industrialisation, and job creation.

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Education authorities explained that the reform will be backed by strict quality assurance standards, accreditation guidelines, and curriculum reviews to ensure that degrees awarded by polytechnics meet national and international benchmarks. Officials also noted that empowering polytechnics will improve funding access, infrastructure development, staff motivation, and student enrolment.

The decision follows years of advocacy by education stakeholders, labour unions, and lawmakers who have repeatedly called for an end to the BSc–HND dichotomy. The House of Representatives had previously passed resolutions and bills seeking to abolish the disparity, while professional bodies and employers argued that competence should outweigh paper qualifications.

Reactions to the announcement have been largely positive, with many Nigerians describing it as a long-overdue reform capable of transforming the country’s skills ecosystem and reducing overdependence on university education. Analysts say the policy could also help Nigeria produce a more employable, industry-ready workforce in a competitive global economy.

However, experts caution that successful implementation will depend on adequate funding, institutional capacity, staff retraining, and effective regulation to prevent dilution of standards. The Federal Government has assured stakeholders that consultations with regulators and institutions are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.

FG to Scrap HND Dichotomy, Empower Polytechnics to Award Degrees

Education

Students expelled as police probe viral assault at Igbinedion School

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Students expelled as police probe viral assault at Igbinedion School

 

The Edo State Police Command has launched an investigation into a viral video showing a violent bullying incident involving students of Igbinedion Secondary School.

The footage, which has been widely circulated on social media, shows two students repeatedly beating, kicking and dragging a younger boy believed to be in a junior class across the floor.

During the assault, one of the attackers was seen using a belt to flog the victim, while another stomped on the boy’s chest as he cried out in pain.

The victim could be heard screaming while another student, who appeared to be recording the incident, pleaded with the attackers to stop.

The motive behind the assault has not yet been established.

Reacting to the incident on Sunday, the Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Eno Ikoedem, said the police were aware of the disturbing video and had commenced steps to investigate the matter.

She said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Agbonika, had directed the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area to immediately visit the school and begin a thorough inquiry.

“The Commissioner of Police has directed the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area to proceed to the school and commence a detailed inquiry into the matter,” Ikoedem said.

She noted that although the school authorities had taken disciplinary action, the police would still carry out a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

According to her, the management of the school informed the police that the students involved in the bullying had already been expelled.

The command condemned all forms of bullying, violence and intimidation among students, warning that anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law and in line with their ages.

Ikoedem also urged members of the public to remain calm and assist the police with credible information that could aid the ongoing investigation.

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Sanwo-Olu to Ban School-Age Children from Streets During School Hours

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Sanwo-Olu to Ban School-Age Children from Streets During School Hours

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced plans to issue an executive order banning school-age children from roaming the streets during school hours in Lagos State, as part of broader reforms aimed at tackling the problem of out-of-school children and improving learning outcomes.

The governor made the announcement on Friday during the launch of the Lagos Education Access Fund (LEAF) and the inauguration of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu said the planned executive order would reinforce existing education policies and hold parents, guardians, communities and institutions accountable for ensuring children of school age attend classes regularly.

“I will be issuing an executive order to back this up and ensure that we are putting our money where our mouth is.
No child should be seen outside between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. unless there is a very good reason that child is not in school,” the governor said.

Alongside the proposed restriction, the Lagos State Government unveiled a $25 million outcomes-based education fund designed to improve school access, retention and measurable learning outcomes for children across the state.

According to the governor, the initiative—implemented in collaboration with the Education Outcomes Fund and development partners—will target more than 200,000 children across Lagos.

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The programme is expected to enrol more than 50,000 out-of-school children aged six to 14 into mainstream education through community outreach and targeted interventions while also supporting 150,000 pupils already in school by strengthening literacy and numeracy outcomes. The plan also aims to address barriers preventing school attendance, including poverty, family instability and limited access to learning resources.

Sanwo-Olu said the initiative represents a shift from focusing solely on enrolment statistics to ensuring real learning outcomes and long-term educational success.

“This initiative is not just about funding education; it is about ensuring every investment translates into real learning, real opportunity and measurable outcomes for our children,” he said.

The governor explained that the programme builds on Project Zero (Lagos education initiative), launched in 2021 to identify and return out-of-school children to classrooms.

According to him, the initiative has already helped reintegrate more than 36,000 children into formal education across the state.

To further support families and sustain school attendance, the Lagos State Government has provided vocational training to more than 360 parents and guardians, equipping them with skills in areas such as fashion design, soap making, catering and hairdressing. The governor said the programme recognises that family economic stability plays a key role in ensuring children remain in school.

Sanwo-Olu also highlighted his administration’s investment in education infrastructure, noting that more schools and classrooms have been built in the past seven years than were constructed in the previous two decades combined.

“In one school complex alone, we are handing over 35 schools with capacity for nearly 20,000 students,” he said, describing the development as evidence of sustained commitment to improving access to education.

Speaking at the event, Amel Karboul, Chief Executive Officer of the Education Outcomes Fund and a former Tunisian minister, praised Lagos for adopting an accountability-driven model of education financing.

Karboul said governments often spend heavily on education inputs such as buildings, books and services without achieving measurable improvements in learning outcomes.

“The most important infrastructure any nation can build is educated minds,” she said.

She explained that the Education Outcomes Fund, established with support from Gordon Brown and impact-investment pioneer Sir Ronald Cohen, focuses on results-based financing where governments and partners pay for measurable outcomes rather than simply funding inputs.

According to her, Lagos is not only launching a programme but also creating a model that other governments in Nigeria and across the world could adopt.

“Lagos is not just launching a programme today; it is creating a blueprint for the world because the future of public finance is about delivering real impact,” she said.

At the event, Sanwo-Olu also inaugurated a new board for LASUBEB, appointing Hakeem Shittu as chairman to strengthen oversight and improve accountability in the state’s basic education system.

Other board members include Saheed Ibikunle, Sijuade Idowu-Tiamiyu, Sherifat Adedoyin, Owolabi Falana, Adewale Babatunde, Babatunde Williams, and Hakeem Lamidi.

Sanwo-Olu emphasised that meaningful progress in education cannot be achieved by government alone, stressing that strong partnerships, shared responsibility and community collaboration remain essential to securing the future of children in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu to Ban School-Age Children from Streets During School Hours

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JAMB Disowns Lead City University Law Admissions, Warns Against Inter‑University Transfer Fraud

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JAMB registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede
JAMB registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede

JAMB Disowns Lead City University Law Admissions, Warns Against Inter‑University Transfer Fraud

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially disowned all admissions into the Law Faculty of Lead City University, stating that such offers are illegal, invalid, and not recognised. The board clarified that the programme remains under a five‑year suspension and that any purported admissions did not go through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) — the only authorised platform for processing admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s Public Communications Adviser, the board said it had received multiple complaints accusing it of negligence over the purported admissions into Lead City University’s Law Faculty. JAMB emphasised that admissions not processed through CAPS carry no legitimacy, and students who accept such offers cannot claim official recognition for academic registration, graduation, or mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

“The Board unequivocally states that the said admissions were not conducted through CAPS. Consequently, such admissions are void as they are unknown to the Board. The institution is not authorised to admit candidates into the programme until the expiration of the suspension,” JAMB said.

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The examination body warned candidates not to accept offers outside CAPS, stressing that such irregular admissions are considered fraudulent and may implicate recipients as complicit in bypassing official regulations. Prospective students are advised to register for the next Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to pursue legitimate admission through approved channels.

JAMB also raised concerns about alleged attempts by some universities to circumvent regulations through inter‑university transfer fraud, transferring improperly admitted candidates to other institutions. The board stressed that no inter‑university transfer will be recognised unless the initial admission was validly processed through CAPS.

The board reiterated its commitment to maintaining transparency, fairness, and integrity in Nigeria’s tertiary education system. It called on candidates, parents, and institutions to rely exclusively on official JAMB channels and CAPS to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes or risking invalid admissions.

JAMB’s warning reflects ongoing efforts to ensure that Nigerian universities adhere strictly to regulatory standards, with the Council of Legal Education (CLE) monitoring law programme compliance nationwide. The board continues to enforce admission rules and combat attempts to bypass the CAPS system.

JAMB Disowns Lead City University Law Admissions, Warns Against Inter‑University Transfer Fraud

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