Education

Mother tongue aids students’performance, says expert

Published

2 years ago

February 29, 2024

Mother tongue aids students’performance, says expert

It is imperative to adopt the mother tongue or indigenous languages for teaching from the lower cadre to tertiary institutions to make students perform better.

The Federal Government announced in December 2022, that first languages would be used for instruction in primary schools.

Atala noted that students would do better when taught in their mother tongues or indigenous languages, adding that his books are geared towards popularising and advocating the use of mother tongue as medium of instruction in schools.

“If all children or everyone in Africa is educated in the first languages, it means that there will no longer be an illiterate person in Africa, and this will in turn impact governance and communities positively,” he said.

He decried Africa’s underdeveloped status in comparison with the rest of the world because education is done in foreign languages.He urged Africans to place premium on their languages to boost all round development.

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“Precisely in 1884/ 1885, at the realisation of the Second Industrial Revolution, seven European nations sat in Berlin, Germany to impose their languages and cultures on Africa. Their languages have locked up education from the majority of our people. That singular act sent Africa back to the Dark Ages which ended in the 15th century.

“Educate everybody in Africa in the first languages, that means there will no longer be an illiterate person in Africa. And that will impact governance in the communities positively.

“Africa is not modern because the continent has not used its first languages in the education of its people as done by others since the renaissance. Other people dropped foreign Latin for their vernaculars since the 14th century. As I continued to research earlier efforts to validate my advocacy, I read about the experiment that Prof. Babs Fafunwa did from 1970 to 1978, with some students in now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. His experiment affirmed that students will do better when educated in the mother tongues,” he said.

The reviewer, Prof.Tayo Ogunlewe of the University of Lagos described the book as timely and significant towards the advocacy for mother tongue as a medium of instruction in education.

He said it is for a re-appraisal of the value and the need for better recognition and valuation of indigenous African knowledge systems. He said it will be most useful for mother-tongue or first language activists, indigenous knowledge systems advocates, linguists scholars, educational policy planners and the public.

Mother tongue aids students’performance, says expert

Education

No Scrapping of JAMB: FG Dismisses Viral Rumours

Published

11 hours ago

February 23, 2026

Trends Admin

JAMB registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede

No Scrapping of JAMB: FG Dismisses Viral Rumours

The Federal Government has firmly dismissed viral social media claims suggesting that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been scrapped as a requirement for tertiary institution admissions in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Federal Ministry of Education described the reports as false, misleading, and entirely unfounded, stressing that Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board remains the statutory authority responsible for coordinating admissions into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions nationwide.

The Ministry clarified that no policy decision has been taken by the Federal Government to abolish JAMB or remove it from the admission process. It urged prospective candidates, parents, and guardians to ignore the rumour and rely solely on official government communications.

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According to the statement, JAMB continues to play a central role in ensuring transparency, fairness, and standardisation through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).

“The attention of the Ministry has been drawn to misleading information suggesting that JAMB has been scrapped. This is not true. There is no such directive from the Federal Government,” the statement said.

The Ministry warned individuals and platforms spreading fake news to desist, noting that such misinformation creates unnecessary anxiety among candidates preparing for admission and undermines confidence in the education system.

Candidates were encouraged to continue registration and admission processes strictly in line with JAMB guidelines and instructions from accredited institutions.

Education stakeholders also cautioned against the spread of unverified reports, emphasizing that any major reform to Nigeria’s admission framework would be formally announced through official channels.

The clarification comes as registration activities for the 2026 academic admission cycle continue, with authorities reiterating their commitment to improving access, credibility, and efficiency in higher education admissions across the country.

No Scrapping of JAMB: FG Dismisses Viral Rumours

Education

Reasons Behind UniAbuja’s Expulsion of 28 Students, Withdrawal of 15 Certificates

Published

1 day ago

February 22, 2026

Trends Admin

University of Abuja (UniAbuja)

Reasons Behind UniAbuja’s Expulsion of 28 Students, Withdrawal of 15 Certificates

The University of Abuja (UniAbuja), now renamed Yakubu Gowon University, has expelled 28 students and revoked certificates of 15 graduates following findings of serious academic and disciplinary violations.

The decision was made at the 191st Regular Meeting of the University Senate held on Thursday, January 28, 2026, after reviewing reports and recommendations from the Student Disciplinary Committee (SDC).

Reasons for Expulsion and Certificate Withdrawal

According to a statement signed by Dr. Habib Yakoob, Acting Director of Information and University Relations, the students were found guilty of offences including threats to life, physical assault, examination malpractice, conspiracy, burglary, theft, cult-related activities, possession and use of hard drugs, and falsification of O’Level results submitted during admission. Some students also failed to appear before the committee despite repeated invitations.

The 15 graduates had their certificates withdrawn for similar non-compliance, rendering their credentials null and void. Meanwhile, nine students were cleared after investigations, and 33 others received formal warnings for infractions including conspiracy, hostel racketeering, and fighting.

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University’s Commitment to Discipline

The Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Senate, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, reaffirmed the university’s dedication to maintaining a safe, disciplined, and conducive learning environment. He emphasised that academic integrity is a core principle and that violations would be sanctioned without compromise.

Professor Fawehinmi praised the SDC for its thorough and diligent handling of cases and urged students to conduct themselves responsibly to safeguard their academic futures. He also highlighted ongoing university initiatives, including student engagement, counselling, and orientation programmes, aimed at preventing misconduct and promoting responsible citizenship and academic excellence.

The university described the actions as part of a zero-tolerance approach to misconduct, reinforcing its commitment to upholding high moral and academic standards on campus.

Reasons Behind UniAbuja’s Expulsion of 28 Students, Withdrawal of 15 Certificates

Education

UTME: JAMB Clarifies Position on Hijab During Biometric Capture

Published

2 days ago

February 21, 2026

Trends Admin

UTME: JAMB Clarifies Position on Hijab During Biometric Capture

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified that candidates are not required to remove their hijab during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration process.

The examination body issued the clarification following the circulation of a viral video alleging that a Muslim candidate was compelled to remove her hijab before capturing her biometric photograph at a registration centre.

In a statement addressing the controversy, JAMB dismissed claims of a policy prohibiting the use of hijab, describing such reports as misleading. The board reiterated that it respects candidates’ religious rights and does not mandate the removal of religious head coverings during registration.

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However, JAMB explained that during biometric data capture, candidates may be asked to adjust their head coverings slightly to ensure that key facial features are visible for proper identification. According to the board, this requirement is strictly for technical purposes and aligns with standard identification procedures used in official documentation processes.

The board emphasized that the adjustment does not equate to a ban on hijabs, noting that clear visibility of facial features is necessary to meet biometric verification standards and prevent identity-related issues.

JAMB urged the public to disregard misinformation and advised candidates and parents to seek clarification through official communication channels to avoid unnecessary panic.

The clarification comes amid growing public interest in ensuring that examination procedures remain inclusive while maintaining the integrity of the registration and identification process.