Education

New Curriculum Designed to Match Industry Demands for Skills — FG

Published

7 months ago

August 7, 2024

editor

By Gabriella Ogbu

In order to enable youth to take an active role in the nation’s economic development, the federal government has promised to make sure that curricula and training programs precisely match the skills needed by industry.

Tuesday in Abuja, during the pre-validation meeting of stakeholders on the National Policy on Skills Development in Nigeria, the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, stated as much.

Concerning the skills gap in the nation, he said that creating a comprehensive national policy on skills development is a critical first step toward giving Nigerian youth the tools they need to succeed in the jobs of the twenty-first century.

The ability to adapt, innovate, and make a meaningful contribution to the workforce has become increasingly important in a rapidly changing global landscape, he claims, which is why collective efforts have culminated in the creation of “this important policy.”

Mamman continued, saying that the government would create a new curriculum through the National Policy on Skills Development in order to close the gap between the demands of the labor market and the educational system.

We can enable our youth to actively participate in the economic growth and development of our dear nation by matching our educational curricula and training programs with the skills demanded by industry.

“I implore you to approach this discussion with a renewed sense of purpose and a strong commitment to creating a future where our youth are empowered to realize their full potential as we come together for this pre-validation meeting. Your knowledge, perceptions, and combined experience will be invaluable in improving and fortifying this policy, guaranteeing that it functions as a solid foundation for skill development throughout Nigeria,” the speaker stated.

Prior to this, millions of Nigerian youth could have their lives completely changed by the policy, according to Permanent Secretary Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, who was speaking on behalf of the Ministry’s Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr. Abubakar Isa. This could happen in the formal, non-formal, and informal sectors of education.

“The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Federal Ministry of Education, and UNICEF have worked tirelessly to develop a comprehensive framework that addresses the diverse needs of our learners, from foundational to transferable, digital, and job-specific skills,” he said, praising the draft policy before them as a testament to their joint efforts.

Education

JAMB Hits Record 2 Million UTME Registrations

Published

5 days ago

March 10, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has recorded its highest-ever registration for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with 2,030,627 candidates set to sit for the exam.

JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, confirmed the figures in Abuja, noting that this surpasses last year’s 1.9 million registrations.

Among the applicants, 41,026 are below the age of 16. The examination will commence on April 25 across 700 computer-based test centers nationwide, while over 200,000 candidates will take an optional mock exam on April 5.

JAMB officially closed registration on March 8, with these figures excluding foreign candidates taking the UTME abroad.

Education

Tinubu Approves Two New Federal Universities in Osun, Ekiti

Published

3 weeks ago

February 20, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of two new federal universities, expanding Nigeria’s higher education landscape.

The newly signed bills pave the way for the Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies in Iragbiji, Osun State, and the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State.

With this addition, Nigeria now boasts 65 federal universities, alongside 63 state and 149 private universities, according to the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Speaking in Abuja after signing the bills on Thursday, President Tinubu emphasized the strategic importance of these institutions in addressing national developmental needs.

He highlighted their role in advancing specialized education, particularly in agriculture, science, and technology, which are crucial for Nigeria’s economic growth and global competitiveness.

“These universities will be hubs for professional training, research, and innovation, shaping a stronger future for our nation,” Tinubu stated.

The move underscores the administration’s commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure and fostering national development through academic excellence and innovation.

Education

FG Launches Special Task Force to Tackle School Bullying

Published

4 weeks ago

February 18, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to combat bullying in schools with the inauguration of a seven-member committee dedicated to reviewing cases and enforcing swift action.

Announcing the initiative in Abuja on Tuesday, the Ministry of Education’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, confirmed that the committee has been established and will begin work immediately.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa highlighted the devastating psychological effects of bullying and stressed the need for urgent intervention to ensure a safe learning environment.

To enhance reporting and accountability, the ministry introduced confidential channels, including a hotline (09012660044), email (antibullying@education.gov.ng), and WhatsApp (08052536133), for victims and witnesses to report incidents.

Alausa called on school administrators, teachers, parents, and students to actively support the initiative and help create a safer educational system.