Education
34 states, FCT yet to access 2024 UBE matching grant — UBEC
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By Francesca Hangeior.
The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Hamid Bobboyi, has revealed that 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory are yet to access the 2024 Universal Basic Education matching grant.
Bobboyi disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during the Senate Committee on Education’s (Basic and Secondary) oversight visit to the commission.
He noted that only Katsina and Kaduna states had accessed their first and second quarters of the 2024 matching grant.
Providing details of matching grants accessed between 2020 and 2024, Bobboyi said unaccessed UBE grants remain a significant challenge for basic and junior secondary education.
“For the 2020 UBE matching grant, 34 states and the FCT have accessed it, while two states—Abia and Ogun—have not. For 2021, 33 states and the FCT have accessed it, leaving Abia, Imo, and Ogun yet to do so.
“In 2022, 29 states and the FCT accessed the grants, with Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, Ogun, and Oyo yet to access theirs. For 2023, 25 states accessed the grants for the first to fourth quarters,” he said.
Bobboyi further stated that N263.04 billion and N103.29 billion, representing 2 per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), were allocated to the commission under the 2024 and 2023 Appropriation Acts, respectively.
He added that N103.29 billion was fully released for 2023, while N219.20 billion had been released for 2024, representing 83.33 per cent of the year’s allocation.
Ranking state performances in accessing the UBE grants by geopolitical zones as of October 31, Bobboyi commended the North West zone for achieving 100 per cent.
The South-South zone followed with 97.92 per cent, North Central with 97.76 per cent, North East with 97.57 per cent, South West with 92.28 per cent, and South East with 85.37 per cent.
He identified key challenges facing the commission, including a lack of political will and commitment by some state governments, low budgetary allocations to basic education at state and local government levels, and poor teacher quality.
Bobboyi added, “Non-compliance with the Federal Government’s directive on teaching history in basic schools and the high number of out-of-school children are also major issues.”
Members of the Senate Committee on Education expressed concerns over the challenges. Senator Victor Umeh lamented the high number of out-of-school children in northern states despite higher allocations.
Senator Sunday Katung called for the reintroduction of history into the basic education curriculum, citing its importance for the younger generation.
Earlier, the committee chairman, Senator Lawal Usman, commended UBEC’s efforts but urged the commission to implement the committee’s recommendations and improve its operational framework.
Education
Lagos commences e-registration for 2025 UBE test
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*Set to include Yoruba language
By Francesca Hangeior
The Lagos State Government has commenced electronic registration for the 2025 Universal Basic Education by Continuous Assessment Scores and Placement Test.
This development is part of the state’s efforts to provide quality education to its citizens.
According to a circular signed by the Director of the Lagos State Examinations Board, on Monday, Mr Orunsolu Adebayo, the registration would run from Monday, January 27 to Friday, April 18, 2025.
It read, “Only primary six pupils in public and approved private primary schools in Lagos State are eligible to participate in the UBE by CAS and Placement Test.
UBE-approved Social Study textbook teaches masturbation, dad claims
“Registration is free for public primary schools, while pupils of approved private primary schools are required to pay N5,000 per candidate through the Lagos State Central Billing System.”
It added that the Lagos State Examinations Board had also approved Yoruba Language as one of the subjects for testing the knowledge and thinking ability of pupils sitting for the Placement Test by CAS.
Adebayo, assured stakeholders and parents that measures were in place to ensure seamless and hitch-free registration.
He emphasised that no child would be left unattended during the registration process.
Lagos commences e-registration for 2025 UBE test
*Set to include Yoruba language
By Francesca Hangeior
The Lagos State Government has commenced electronic registration for the 2025 Universal Basic Education by Continuous Assessment Scores and Placement Test.
This development is part of the state’s efforts to provide quality education to its citizens.
According to a circular signed by the Director of the Lagos State Examinations Board, on Monday, Mr Orunsolu Adebayo, the registration would run from Monday, January 27 to Friday, April 18, 2025.
It read, “Only primary six pupils in public and approved private primary schools in Lagos State are eligible to participate in the UBE by CAS and Placement Test.
UBE-approved Social Study textbook teaches masturbation, dad claims
“Registration is free for public primary schools, while pupils of approved private primary schools are required to pay N5,000 per candidate through the Lagos State Central Billing System.”
It added that the Lagos State Examinations Board had also approved Yoruba Language as one of the subjects for testing the knowledge and thinking ability of pupils sitting for the Placement Test by CAS.
Adebayo, assured stakeholders and parents that measures were in place to ensure seamless and hitch-free registration.
He emphasised that no child would be left unattended during the registration process.
Education
FG announces resumption date for Unity Schools
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The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) has announced that students at the 112 Federal Government Colleges will now return to school on January 12, 2025, instead of the originally scheduled January 5.
The extension, as confirmed by the Permanent Secretary of FME, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, is due to ongoing renovations at several schools.
A circular issued to school principals explains the change, following approval from the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad.
At Kings College in Lagos, there has been no official update on the resumption schedule, leaving some parents confused.
Typically, senior students preparing for exams like WASSCE and NECO return first, but no formal notice has been issued this year.
Meanwhile, parents are currently making payments of N58,000 for SS III students.
The breakdown includes payment of boarding fees of N30,000, the balance of WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB fees of N11,000.
Other fees include N2,000 for medical, ICT training, extra lessons, and utility, and N1,000 for sports, vocational, clubs, societies, and security.
Education
LP speaks on alleged strange romance with Tinubu over 2027 presidential race
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The Labour Party (LP) has strongly rejected rumors suggesting that it is in a partnership with President Bola Tinubu in anticipation of the 2027 elections. These rumors claimed that the LP had struck an agreement to support Tinubu’s bid for a second term should he choose to run.
In response, the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Obiora Ifoh, issued a statement on Friday, labeling these allegations as baseless and unfounded. He emphasized that the party has continually dismissed any notion of collaboration with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) concerning the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Ifoh asserted that the Labour Party remains the most prominent opposition party in Nigeria, with the party’s National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, being a leading critic of the current government. “Our National Chairman is at the forefront of challenging the policies of the government, consistently voicing opposition to the actions of the current administration,” Ifoh said.
The spokesperson also highlighted the party’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy. These include the establishment of an Electoral Reform Committee aimed at ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections, as well as the introduction of an e-membership registration system that has already attracted a significant number of new members.
Ifoh further expressed disappointment over the defamatory nature of the rumors, calling it “ridiculous and unfortunate” for anyone to attempt to undermine the Labour Party’s efforts in such a manner. “For anyone to try to tarnish the reputation of a party that is actively working to reshape the political landscape in Nigeria is truly unfortunate,” he remarked.
Finally, the Labour Party spokesperson challenged Deji Adeyanju and anyone else promoting such claims to provide concrete evidence to support their accusations. “We call on Deji Adeyanju and others to present factual proof if they believe that the leadership of our party or Mr. Abure has any intention of working with President Tinubu or the APC for the 2027 elections,” Ifoh stated firmly.
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