Education
Updated: Hijab: Lagos withdraws Eletu-Odibo Junior High School principal, investigates case
Lagos State Government has recalled the principal of Eletu-Odibo Junior High School, Abule-Oja, Yaba, Mrs Christiana Sofuye, for allegedly disobeying the Supreme Court judgement on hijab.
The principal was reported to have compelled a female Muslim student to remove her hijab in the school, in disobedience to the widely shared circular issued by the state government, urging compliance with the apex court judgement.
The state government has also restated its warning to principals and other personnel of various public schools in the state to desist from assaulting students because of the hijab.
This was contained in a circular issued by Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary Education District IV, Osinaike Olusegun Olawale, stressing that anyone found violating the Supreme Court judgement on hijab in schools would you face dire consequences.
The Supreme Court had ruled in favour of the hijab, upholding the constitutional rights of Muslim students to wear it in schools.
The Tutor-General said the Lagos State government strictly frowned on disobedience against the Supreme Court judgement.
He said other officers involved in the violation at the school had also been recalled alongside the principal.
The statement read, “Consequent upon the Supreme Court judgement on the use of hijab in Lagos State shools delivered on 17th June, 2022 and the Head of Service circular No. 068, dated 5th December, 2022 which was made available to all principals through the Information Platform *(E34 Notice formation)*, available information at our disposal alleged that the principal of Eletu-Odibo Junior High School, Abule-Oja, Yaba, decided to violate the judgement of the apex court and the H.O.S Circular, which is tantamount to misconduct and punishable under the Lagos State Public Service Rule (PSR).
“However, the principal and other officers involved have been recalled from the school with immediate effect, while investigation is ongoing.
“For the avoidance of doubt, henceforth, any principal or staff member caught assaulting students on the issue of hijab or in one way or the other contravenes the hijab judgement will face dire consequences.
“It should be of note that the Lagos State Government strictly frowns on disobedience and will be viewed seriously.”
Background
Education
Cross River Seals 58 Schools in Crackdown on Unapproved Education Centres
Cross River Seals 58 Schools in Crackdown on Unapproved Education Centres
The Cross River State Government has shut down 58 unapproved schools in an intensified statewide crackdown on institutions operating without the mandatory Approval to Operate (ATO), warning proprietors against reopening without official authorisation.
The enforcement exercise, being conducted by the state Ministry of Education through its Department of Quality Assurance, targets schools that have failed to meet the regulatory requirements for operating nursery, primary and secondary educational institutions.
The Commissioner for Education, Stephen Odey, said the exercise was aimed at enforcing education standards, protecting pupils and students, and ensuring that schools operate within the state’s approved regulatory framework.
The government said the inspections would continue across Cross River State’s 18 local government areas as authorities work to identify unapproved institutions and ensure compliance with existing regulations.
Odey warned that schools sealed during the operation must not resume activities until they have obtained the necessary approval from the relevant authorities. He also cautioned proprietors against violating closure orders, saying offenders could face further sanctions.
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According to the state government, the enforcement campaign is not intended to victimise school owners but to ensure that all educational institutions meet the minimum requirements for safe and effective teaching and learning.
Among the schools identified in the government’s October 10 announcement were Impact Group of Schools, Gospel Beacon Academy and Divvy Bliss Schools in Calabar Municipality.
Others included Warriors Seed Academy, Children of Promise Christian School and Future Amazing International Schools in Calabar South.
In Odukpani Local Government Area, the government listed De-Royal Academy School, Maria Assumpta Nursery/Primary School and Success Kids Nursery/Primary School among the affected institutions.
Five schools were also identified in Akamkpa Local Government Area: Creative Brain International School, St. Luck’s Anglican Nursery/Primary School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Hot Brain Academy and Armour Christian International School.
The latest closures followed earlier enforcement exercises announced by the government during the week. On October 9, authorities reported identifying 15 schools operating without approval in Calabar Municipality, Odukpani and Yakurr. On October 8, another nine schools were reported shut in Calabar Municipality, while 14 schools were identified in Calabar South on October 7.
The successive operations form part of the government’s effort to strengthen school regulation and quality assurance across the state. However, the individual batches should not be added together without a consolidated list confirming that no school has been counted more than once.
The government has urged proprietors of affected schools to approach the appropriate authorities to regularise their operations and obtain the necessary approvals before reopening.
Parents and guardians have also been encouraged to verify the approval status of schools attended by their children to ensure that the institutions comply with the state’s requirements.
The closures could disrupt learning for pupils and students whose schools have been affected, particularly where families need to find alternative institutions. The government has not provided a consolidated public list of all 58 schools in the reports reviewed or announced a common reopening date for the affected institutions.
The crackdown follows an earlier warning issued by the state government in August 2025, when it announced plans to close unapproved nursery, primary and secondary schools from September of that year.
The state government has maintained that compliance with school approval requirements is necessary to uphold educational standards and ensure that institutions operate within the law.
Cross River Seals 58 Schools in Crackdown on Unapproved Education Centres
Education
FG Releases Eight-Month Arrears After SSANU Strike Threat
FG Releases Eight-Month Arrears After SSANU Strike Threat
The Federal Government has released eight months’ salary arrears owed members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), less than 48 hours after the union issued a 14-day ultimatum threatening an indefinite strike.
SSANU had issued the ultimatum over the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement and demanded payment of outstanding entitlements, warning that failure to act would lead to a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action.”
The union’s demands included payment of outstanding Consolidated University Teaching and Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTTA) arrears calculated from January 1, 2026.
It also demanded payment of two months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action, as well as one-year arrears arising from the approved 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.
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Confirming the release, SSANU National President, Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, said members would begin receiving alerts reflecting the payment.
Ibrahim commended the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, for intervening in the matter and facilitating the release of the funds.
However, the payment does not resolve all of the union’s outstanding demands. SSANU has maintained that the government must settle the remaining arrears and ensure full implementation of the 2026 agreement.
The development has nevertheless eased an immediate threat of disruption in the Nigerian university system, coming just days after the union warned of a nationwide industrial action.
SSANU has urged affected members to liaise with their respective university managements to ensure that the released funds are properly and promptly paid.
The latest development comes amid continuing concerns over university workers’ salaries, arrears and welfare, as well as the implementation of agreements between the Federal Government and university-based unions.
FG Releases Eight-Month Arrears After SSANU Strike Threat
Education
Why JAMB Is Taking UTME To Canada — Registrar Explains
Why JAMB Is Taking UTME To Canada — Registrar Explains
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has explained why it is taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to Canada, saying the move is aimed at expanding access to Nigerian tertiary education rather than making money.
JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, said the board is working to establish a UTME examination centre in Ottawa, Canada, from 2027 to enable eligible Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America to sit the examination without travelling to Nigeria solely for the exercise.
The planned centre followed Aina’s visit to the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, where discussions were held on arrangements for conducting the examination.
JAMB said the initiative is part of its effort to make the Nigerian university admission system more accessible to Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly those seeking admission into universities and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
“For Nigerians in Canada, the UTME is coming closer to home,” the board said while announcing the plan.
However, the decision has generated questions over the likely number of candidates who would use the centre and whether establishing an examination facility in Canada would be financially viable.
Responding to such concerns, Aina said the number of candidates was not the primary consideration for establishing foreign examination centres.
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He explained that JAMB currently conducts the UTME in about 10 foreign countries as a service to improve access to education, adding that the board also conducts examinations in correctional service centres for the same reason.
According to the registrar, Nigerians relocate abroad for different reasons, while children of Nigerian public servants posted overseas may also need to sit the UTME without returning to the country specifically for the examination.
Aina said the absence of a JAMB examination centre in North America had previously made it difficult for prospective candidates in the region to participate in the UTME locally.
He added that JAMB does not necessarily need to acquire or rent a permanent building or employ a new workforce to establish the Ottawa centre.
The registrar explained that the board works with Nigerian diplomatic missions in countries where it conducts overseas examinations, using temporary spaces within high commission premises and relying on diplomatic mission staff to assist with the exercise.
Aina also said no money had been spent on the proposed Canadian centre so far.
He explained that his visit to Canada coincided with a conference and that he used the opportunity to initiate discussions with the Nigerian High Commission about the proposed examination arrangement.
JAMB‘s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, also defended the initiative, saying more than 100 prospective candidates in Canada had already indicated interest in sitting the examination there.
The proposed Ottawa centre is expected to serve eligible Nigerians in Canada as well as those in other parts of North America who wish to gain admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
JAMB said the move would reduce the barriers faced by Nigerians abroad and strengthen their connection with the country’s education system.
The board also said the initiative would provide an opportunity to showcase Nigerian tertiary education internationally and create more pathways for Nigerians in the diaspora to pursue higher education in Nigeria.
The proposed JAMB Canada centre is expected to commence operations with the 2027 UTME.
Why JAMB Is Taking UTME To Canada — Registrar Explains
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