Education

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

Published

1 day ago

March 14, 2026

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

Education

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

Published

3 days ago

March 12, 2026

Trends Admin

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

Education

UNILAG Faults ASUU Strike, Insists Examinations Will Continue Despite Lecturers’ Protest

Published

4 days ago

March 11, 2026

Trends Admin

UNILAG Faults ASUU Strike, Insists Examinations Will Continue Despite Lecturers’ Protest

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has criticised the decision of the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to embark on an industrial action, saying the declaration did not follow due process.

The development comes after ASUU UNILAG directed its members to withdraw their services beginning Wednesday following what the lecturers described as “amputated” salaries for January and February.

The decision was reached during a congress of the union held on Tuesday, where lecturers protested alleged deductions and unpaid allowances.

The Chairman of ASUU UNILAG, Prof. Idou Keinde, said lecturers received incomplete salaries, noting that payments excluded several components of their earnings. According to him, the affected payments include the Consolidated Salary Structure for Academics (CONUASS), Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, and the Professorial Allowance.

Keinde maintained that the lecturers would not resume academic duties until the outstanding payments are fully settled.

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Reacting to the strike directive, UNILAG management said the union failed to follow established procedures before declaring the industrial action.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Head of the Communication Unit, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, the university said it had taken note of the union’s directive but emphasised that proper channels were not observed.

“Management observes that due process was not followed in making this declaration. Nevertheless, in its commitment to the welfare of staff and students, the university has continued to engage with the ASUU Executive to address all issues,” the statement said.

The university added that discussions are ongoing with the union to resolve concerns, particularly those relating to the unpaid Consolidated Academic Teaching Allowances.

Despite the strike announcement, the university maintained that ongoing examinations will continue as scheduled.

Management said it is particularly concerned about the impact any disruption could have on students who are already in the middle of their semester examinations. According to the statement, halting the examinations could negatively affect students preparing for the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), internships, and those scheduled to proceed to the Nigerian Law School.

The institution therefore confirmed that all examinations will continue from Thursday, March 12, 2026, with deans and heads of departments directed to ensure smooth conduct of the exams.

However, the university noted that any examination earlier postponed by departments would be rescheduled accordingly.

While negotiations with the union continue, the university urged members of the academic community to remain calm and continue with their lawful academic activities.

“Management appeals to all members of the university community to remain calm and continue to go about their lawful academic activities as discussions with ASUU executive continue toward an amicable resolution of the issues raised,” the statement added.

The situation reflects renewed tensions between UNILAG management and ASUU, as Nigerian universities continue to grapple with disputes over lecturers’ salaries, allowances, and funding for higher education.

UNILAG Faults ASUU Strike, Insists Examinations Will Continue Despite Lecturers’ Protest

Education

NERD Registration Now Mandatory for NYSC Participation, FG Confirms

Published

1 week ago

March 6, 2026

Trends Admin

NERD Registration Now Mandatory for NYSC Participation, FG Confirms

Abuja, March 6, 2026 — The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that graduates whose academic records are not uploaded to the Nigeria Education Repository and Data Bank (NERD) may be denied participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. The directive forms part of broader reforms aimed at curbing certificate fraud and ensuring the integrity and credibility of academic documentation across the country.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, during a national capacity-building programme themed “Strengthening Institutional Compliance and Academic Records Integrity”, which brought together representatives of tertiary institutions to improve the accuracy, verification, and security of academic records nationwide.

Highlighting the critical role of data in governance, Alausa said: “Data is the lifeblood of effective governance. It enables us to understand the challenges we face, design and implement effective solutions, and monitor our progress. Without data, we are flying blind. That is not what this government is about.”

The minister praised President Bola Tinubu for championing reforms that are repositioning the nation for long-term growth. “Positive transformation is laying our country on the path of sustainability,” he said.

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NERD serves as a national digital infrastructure designed to harmonise and authenticate academic credentials across tertiary institutions. The system issues national credential numbers, operates a National Credential Revocation Service, runs a National Student Clearinghouse, and maintains a federated repository of academic theses and publications, alongside a national academic indexing platform.

According to Alausa, the platform has already achieved significant progress since its launch four months ago: over 133,000 students and 6,800 lecturers are enrolled, supported by 655 focal persons nationwide. Nearly 100,000 digital student submissions have been archived, while more than 250 tertiary institutions are connected for real-time verification. The initiative has also created over 1,000 digital service centres in partnership with Nigeria Digital Entrepreneurs, generating more than 3,000 jobs.

The minister emphasised that the reform is in response to past abuses, including cases of Nigerians obtaining questionable degrees abroad in unusually short timeframes. “Some people were getting PhD certificates in just six months from universities that never existed. Today, those practices have been completely stopped, and individuals who obtained illegal certificates have been removed from the civil service,” he said.

NERD compliance is now mandatory for both individuals and institutions seeking access to various educational services, including NYSC participation. Agencies such as TETFund, NUC, NBTE, NCCE, ITF, and all accredited tertiary institutions are required to enforce compliance. The platform is designed to enhance transparency, traceability, and accountability, maintaining a national digital footprint of all academic awards in Nigeria.

Alausa also encouraged institutions to prioritise locally developed digital platforms, aligning with the Federal Government’s local content policy. Additionally, he announced the establishment of the NERD Annual National Laureate Prize and Awards Programme, recognising outstanding academic research with prizes ranging from ₦5 million to ₦20 million, with the maiden edition scheduled for November 2026.

The CEO of NERD, Engineer Tunji Ariyomo, described the initiative as a crucial step in safeguarding Nigeria’s academic knowledge and strengthening the country’s research framework. “Nations that systematically preserve and validate knowledge over time are often at the forefront of global innovation,” Ariyomo said.

By linking NERD with NYSC and other educational services, the Federal Government aims to eliminate credential falsification, reduce disputes over academic records, and ensure that Nigeria’s education system meets global standards of integrity and verification.