Lagos rolls out reforms to mark International Day of Education

•  Reaffirms commitment to youth-driven, inclusive learning

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable education reforms and improved learning outcomes as the state marked the 2026 International Day of Education.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, made this known on Saturday while commemorating the global event, themed “The Power of Youth in Co-creating Education.”

Alli-Balogun said the theme aligns with Lagos State’s ongoing efforts to prioritise quality, accessibility, inclusiveness and safety in education, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4 and the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Kayode Sutton, the Commissioner noted that the State had continued to invest comprehensively in public education.

“Our programmes reflect a statewide investment in expanding access, improving quality and modernising public education infrastructure,” he said.

The Commissioner listed several initiatives undertaken by the State Government, including capacity-building workshops for teachers, construction of new classroom blocks, rehabilitation of existing facilities and the commissioning of ultra-modern classroom projects across Lagos.

He also highlighted the payment of West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for eligible students as a major intervention, describing it as a game-changer that has eased the financial burden on parents and boosted students’ academic prospects.

Alli-Balogun further noted the expansion of digital learning through initiatives such as EKO EXCEL and the Eko Learner’s Support Programme, aimed at improving teaching quality and learning delivery in public schools.

On inclusiveness, the Commissioner said the State had strengthened policies and frameworks to support learners with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, including the expansion of scholarships and inclusion support.

He added that inclusive school infrastructure across the State had been upgraded and renovated to reduce learning barriers and ensure equal access to education for students with special needs.

Addressing safety concerns, Alli-Balogun said the Sanwo-Olu administration had implemented child protection policies, safeguarding training and sustained advocacy against abuse, exploitation and violence in schools.

He noted that schools now conduct regular safety awareness programmes, fire drills and enforce laboratory safety regulations to minimise risks.

The Commissioner also disclosed that planning and safety monitoring had been enhanced through a unified academic calendar, fostering a school culture that prioritises learner protection, risk prevention and overall wellbeing.

Alli-Balogun reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to sustainable reforms and enduring achievements targeted at improving learning outcomes across public schools in Lagos State, while wishing all learners a happy International Day of Education on behalf of the State Government.

The International Day of Education, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly and marked annually on January 24, celebrates education’s role in peace and development, anchored on four pillars: learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together and learning to be.

UI Reclaims Crown as Nigeria’s Top University in 2026 World Rankings

The University of Ibadan (UI) has returned to the pinnacle of Nigerian academia, emerging as the nation’s highest-ranked institution in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026.

After a two-year hiatus from the top spot, UI climbed from its fourth-place national finish in 2025 to reclaim the lead.

Both UI and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) secured spots within the 801–1000 global bracket, making them the only two Nigerian universities to break into the world’s top 1,000.

While UI leads the pack, the 2026 rankings revealed a diverse spread of strengths across Nigeria’s top institutions:

| 1 | University of Ibadan | 801–1000 | Overall Performance |

| 2 | University of Lagos | 801–1000 | Research Quality (Score: 66.7) |

| 3 | Bayero University Kano | 1001–1200 | International Outlook |

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| 4 | Covenant University | 1001–1200 | Industry Engagement |

| 5 | Landmark University | 1001–1200 | Consistent Growth |

The 2026 edition was a massive undertaking, assessing 2,191 universities across 115 countries. The rankings are based on 18 rigorous performance indicators, including:

* Teaching & Research Environment

* Research Quality (Analysis of 174.9 million citations)

* Industry Engagement

* International Outlook

Covenant University, which dominated the Nigerian rankings in 2024 and 2025, slipped to fourth nationally but maintained a strong global presence in the 1001–1200 band. It remains Nigeria’s leader for Industry Engagement, highlighting its deep ties with the private sector.

A total of 51 Nigerian universities were featured in the report this year. However, the data highlights a widening gap in global competitiveness:

* 1201–1500 Band: Includes Ahmadu Bello University, FUT Minna, UNILORIN, UNIJOS, and UNN.

* 1501+ Category: 14 Nigerian universities fell into this bracket.

* Unranked: 27 institutions submitted data but did not meet the criteria for a formal ranking.

Despite the challenges, the 2026 rankings showcase a resilient Nigerian higher education sector, with UI and UNILAG leading the charge toward global academic relevance.

UI Reclaims Crown as Nigeria’s Top University in 2026 World Rankings

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