Education

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) has disowned documents and correspondences circulating in the public requesting financial support for the production, printing and nationwide distribution of the Revised Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) for the 2026/2027 academic session.

In a disclaimer signed by the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Prof. Salisu Shehu, the council described the documents as fictitious and frivolous, warning individuals, organisations and institutions against responding to such requests.

The council stated that the purported correspondences did not originate from NERDC and should be disregarded.

“Our attention has been drawn to fictitious and frivolous document and correspondences purported to emanate from the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) requesting for financial support for the production, printing, and nationwide distribution of the Revised Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) covering the 2026/2027 academic session,” the statement read.

NERDC further said it “strongly and unequivocally” disclaimed and disowned any document or correspondence requesting financial support for the production, printing and distribution of the revised curriculum under any arrangement.

The council explained that adequate plans had already been put in place for the production, printing, dissemination and distribution of the revised Basic Education Curriculum through the appropriate federal and state education authorities, agencies and departments.

According to the statement, there is no need for any institution or organisation to provide financial support for the exercise, as the established channels for implementation have already been arranged.

NERDC therefore called on government agencies, educational institutions, departments and members of the public to ignore any correspondence claiming to have been issued by the council seeking financial assistance for the curriculum project.

“We therefore call on all relevant agencies, departments, institutions and the general public to disregard and discountenance any correspondence purported to be written by NERDC requesting financial support for production, printing and distribution of the Revised Basic Education Curriculum (BEC),” the Executive Secretary said.

The council also assured stakeholders in the education sector of its commitment to maintaining diligence in its official communications and safeguarding the integrity of the national curriculum while ensuring that the revised curriculum is made readily available through appropriate channels.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Management of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has announced an immediate ban on the charging of privately owned electric motorcycles and other electric vehicles using the university’s electricity supply across all its campuses.

According to a special bulletin issued on Monday, the university said the widespread charging of private electric motorcycles has contributed significantly to rising electricity bills, placing a heavy financial burden on the institution.

The directive applies to staff, students, commercial motorcycle operators, and all other users of electric motorcycles. Management warned that anyone found violating the ban will face disciplinary action in line with the university’s rules and regulations.

The university has also directed Provosts, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, and Heads of Units to monitor compliance and report violations. In addition, a monitoring team will conduct regular patrols across the campuses to ensure strict enforcement of the directive.

BUK urged all affected persons to comply with the new policy, describing it as part of the university’s efforts to reduce energy costs and promote the prudent use of its resources.

By Myolisi Gophe

When meningitis robbed him of his hearing at the age of eight, many believed Ibrahim Tukur’s future had been written off. His teachers could no longer reach him. Friends drifted away. Some mocked him. Even his father, convinced there was no future for a deaf child, withdrew him from school.

Today, that same boy is pursuing a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Disability Studies at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Department of Rehabilitation and Health Sciences as the first Deaf Mandela Rhodes Scholar – one of Africa’s most prestigious leadership scholarships – and is using his experiences to advocate for a more inclusive society.

For Tukur, who hails from Nigeria, his journey is not simply one of overcoming adversity – it is proof that when barriers are removed and opportunities are created, people with disabilities can thrive.

“Receiving the scholarship was one of the happiest moments of my life,” he said. “It reminded me that our disabilities do not determine our success.”

Growing up in Ingawa, a small town in Nigeria’s Katsina State, life changed overnight when meningitis left him Deaf.

Unable to follow lessons in mainstream classrooms, he experienced a sharp decline in academic performance.

“My life drastically changed,” he recalled. “I could no longer understand what my teachers were teaching.”

The social isolation that followed was equally devastating.

“I lost most of my friends, who avoided me because of my deafness, as if it were a curse.”

Believing there was little hope for his son’s future, his father removed him from school.

But fate intervened.

A relative encouraged his father to enrol him at the Government School for the Deaf in Malumfashi, a residential school where sign language was the primary means of communication.

The impact was immediate.

“For the first time since losing my hearing, I learned in an environment where everyone communicated through sign language. Gradually, I regained my confidence, rediscovered my love for learning, and began to believe in myself again.”

That experience sparked a lifelong commitment to ensuring other Deaf children would not face the same barriers.

He went on to earn a degree in Special Education from Bayero University in Kano before enrolling at UCT to deepen his understanding of disability inclusion and advocacy.

Today, he serves as the head teacher at Dambo Tukur School for the Deaf and he also co-founded the Thrive Disability Initiative, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities through education, employment, and entrepreneurship.

Finding inclusion at UCT

Although he had spent years advocating for disability rights, arriving at UCT introduced him to a level of inclusion he had never previously experienced.

“I have never experienced what real inclusion was like until I came to UCT,” he said.

When he struggled to find accommodation upon arrival, staff at UCT’s Disability Service stepped in immediately, helping secure accessible accommodation at Obz Square in Observatory and installing assistive technologies in his room.

Initially, he worried he might be inconveniencing others.

“I realised that inclusion is not about doing someone a favour. It is about removing barriers so everyone can participate equally.”

Another turning point came when his South African Sign Language interpreter connected him with members of the Western Cape Deaf community.

“Through them, I found friendship, belonging and a sense of home.”

Those experiences reinforced his belief that leadership begins by creating spaces where everyone feels seen, valued and included.

The importance of leadership

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship recognises more than academic excellence. It seeks young leaders committed to reconciliation, entrepreneurship and social impact.

For him, leadership has always been measured by how many lives are impacted, rather than what titles people have.

Among his proudest achievements is advocating for the establishment of Dambo Tukur School for the Deaf back home, which now provides quality education to more than 50 Deaf children who previously had little or no access to schooling.

He has also organised mentorship programmes for Deaf learners, trained government workers in sign language to improve communication with Deaf citizens and coordinated vocational skills programmes that have enabled many unemployed Deaf adults to become financially independent.

One of his biggest challenges came while campaigning for the school.

Government officials initially resisted the proposal because of misconceptions about Deaf people.

Rather than allowing disagreement to create division, he chose dialogue.

“By continuing to engage respectfully and demonstrating the importance of inclusive education, we eventually secured approval and established the school.”

He believes those experiences embody the leadership values championed by the Mandela Rhodes Foundation.

Overcoming invisible barriers

His own university experience also revealed the everyday obstacles Deaf students continue to face.

As an undergraduate, before his journey with UCT, he completed his degree without the support of a sign language interpreter.

Instead, he relied on lecture notes, handouts, and hours of independent study to compensate for the information he could not access in class.

“There were moments when I questioned whether I truly belonged at university and whether I could succeed in a system that was not designed with Deaf students in mind.”

Despite those challenges, he graduated with an Upper Second Class pass (an average score between 60% and 69% across his university courses).

The experience shaped his conviction that disability itself is not the greatest obstacle.

“Inaccessible environments create the greatest barriers to success.”

As someone who has lived the realities of exclusion, he believes universities have an important role to play in changing society.

He would like to see disability studies integrated across disciplines so that graduates in every field understand disability rights, accessibility, and inclusive communication.

He also advocates for stronger support services, including timely access to sign language interpreters, assistive technologies and accessible learning materials.

Financial support for students with disabilities, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, is equally important.

Long-term vision

His long-term vision is ambitious: over the next decade, he hopes to empower at least 500 people with disabilities through education, leadership development and entrepreneurship.

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship, he said, provides more than financial support.

“It gives me the knowledge, networks and leadership experience to achieve these goals.”

Looking back on his journey, he hopes his story inspires other Deaf learners to believe in themselves.

“Do not allow society’s expectations to define your future,” he said.

“There will be obstacles, and there may be moments when people underestimate your abilities, but your deafness does not determine your intelligence, your talent or your potential.”

His message is simple but powerful.

“If a boy who was once withdrawn from school because people believed he had no future could become a Mandela Rhodes Scholar and study at one of Africa’s leading universities, then you should never doubt what is possible for your own life.

“Dream boldly, persevere through challenges, and remember that you deserve to learn, to lead and thrive just like everyone else.”

Editor’s Note: The article was first published on the Cape Town University news website here: How a Deaf student experienced real inclusion at UCT.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir 

Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Katsina State, has announced plans to host an international conference in honour of renowned Hausa literary icon and musician, Aminu Ladan Abubakar, popularly known as Alan Waka.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammad Khalid Othman, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to ensuring the success of the event, describing it as an opportunity to promote Hausa language, literature and cultural heritage on the global stage.

Speaking during a meeting with the Local Organising Committee, the Chairman, Professor Ibrahim Garba Satatinu, commended the university management for its support and pledged effective coordination to deliver a successful conference.

In his remarks, Aminu Ladan Abubakar expressed gratitude to the university for recognising his literary contributions, describing the conference as a rare honour. He said the event would inspire younger generations of writers, poets and researchers to preserve and promote Hausa literary traditions.

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Bashir Aliyu Sallau, and other university officials also praised the initiative, noting that the conference would attract scholars, researchers and cultural enthusiasts from within Nigeria and abroad.

The conference is expected to bring together academics, writers, poets and students to examine the literary philosophy, poetic style and enduring contributions of Aminu Ladan Abubakar to Hausa literature and African scholarship.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

A Nigerian lawyer and human rights advocate, Faisal Manir, has called on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to immediately review its registration policy that allegedly compels married female Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) to adopt their husbands’ surnames.

In a letter dated July 30, 2026, and addressed to the Director-General of the NYSC, Manir argued that the policy violates the constitutional rights of married women by overriding their choice to retain their maiden (father’s) names during online registration.

According to the letter, female PCMs who indicate that they are married are prompted to provide their husbands’ details. While the registration portal appears to offer them the option of retaining their maiden names, Manir alleged that the system ultimately requires them to accept their husbands’ surnames before completing the registration process.

He contended that the practice is inconsistent with Sections 37, 38(1), and 42 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantee the rights to privacy, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and protection from discrimination.

The lawyer further argued that the policy disproportionately affects Muslim women, noting that Islamic teachings emphasize preserving a person’s lineage through the father’s name. He cited Qur’an 33:5 and a Hadith to support his position that adopting a surname other than one’s father’s is contrary to Islamic principles.

Manir also referenced a Supreme Court decision, Lagos State Government & Ors v. Asiyat AbdulKareem (SC/910/16), stating that it affirmed citizens’ rights to practise their religion and uphold their beliefs in matters of personal identity.

He called on the NYSC to discontinue the practice immediately and to amend its registration system to allow married women to retain their maiden names without coercion or additional justification.

In addition, the lawyer demanded that the NYSC reissue, free of charge, certificates to women who were allegedly compelled to adopt their husbands’ surnames during the scheme.

The letter serves as a pre-action notice, warning that failure to address the demands could result in legal proceedings seeking a declaration that the practice is unconstitutional, an order directing the NYSC to issue corrected certificates, and compensation for affected women for the psychological distress and inconvenience allegedly caused.

As of the time of filing this report, the NYSC had not publicly responded to the allegations or the demands contained in the letter.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The University of Jos Alumni Association has called for a thorough investigation into the alleged mob killing of one of its members, Ibrahim Mbaya, and urged security agencies to ensure that everyone connected with the incident is brought to justice.

Mbaya, a Jos-based model and alumnus of the University of Jos, reportedly lost his life on Sunday after he was allegedly attacked by a group of youths at an off-campus apartment behind the City of David area along Ring Road in Jos, Plateau State.

The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the incident and announced the arrest of three suspects identified as Rinji Daniel Fwanji, Emmanuel Newyear and Nensemka Fwanji over the alleged culpable homicide.

According to available reports, Mbaya attended a social event before deciding to spend the night at a friend’s apartment because it was too late for him to return home. He was also said to have been working to resolve an outstanding academic matter at the University of Jos.

The following morning, his friend allegedly informed him that an iPhone was missing and accused him of stealing it because both of them were the only occupants of the apartment. Although Mbaya initially left the premises, he reportedly returned after his friend asked him to come back and explain himself.

Police said he was confronted by his friend and a group of youths after his return. The group allegedly accused him of stealing the phone before assaulting him with sticks and other objects for several hours in an attempt to force a confession. He eventually lost consciousness, while a nurse who examined him later reportedly confirmed that he had died.

The command also disclosed that one of the suspects appeared in a viral video allegedly hitting the deceased with a large wooden plank.

Reacting to the incident, the University of Jos Alumni Association condemned the killing in a statement issued on Tuesday. The association described the attack as “barbaric, unjustifiable, and a gross violation of the right to life.”

“We are deeply saddened and outraged by the gruesome killing of our colleague and brother, Ibrahim Mbaya,” the statement read.

“No Nigerian deserves to die in such a manner, irrespective of any allegation against them.”

The association urged the relevant authorities to speed up investigations, arrest every person involved in the incident and ensure that those responsible face justice.

“We demand justice for Ibrahim Mbaya. The rule of law must prevail and not mob action,” the association stated, urging the police to make public the findings of their investigation.

The alumni body also appealed to governments at all levels to intensify public awareness campaigns against jungle justice and strengthen measures aimed at protecting lives and property.

“This incident should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. We must collectively reject mob killings and allow due process to take its course,” the statement added.

The association also expressed sympathy to Mbaya’s family and pledged its support in their pursuit of justice.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has approved a 35% increase in hazard allowances for junior and senior members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) working in federal universities.

The new allowance package will take effect from January 1, 2026. The approval followed an agreement reached between the Federal Government and NASU on June 29, 2026.

The decision was conveyed in a circular dated July 20, 2026. Adighiogu Chiadi, Acting Secretary of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), signed the circular. It was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, ministers and heads of government agencies.

The circular stated: “Following the agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions dated 29th June 2026, the Federal Government has approved the payment of the following allowances to non-teaching staff members of NASU in Federal Universities.”

Under the revised package, laboratory hazard allowance for workers on CONTISS 1–5 increased from N180,000 to N243,000 annually. Employees on CONTISS 6–15 will now receive N486,000 each year instead of N360,000. The increases represent 35% for both categories. NASU had requested annual payments of N360,000 and N720,000 respectively.

The government also reviewed responsibility allowances for senior non-teaching staff. Registrars and bursars will now receive N840,000 annually instead of N750,000. The union had demanded N1.5 million.

Deputy registrars, deputy bursars and deputy directors will receive N480,000 annually, although NASU sought N600,000.

Directors will receive an annual responsibility allowance of N600,000 for the first time. The amount meets the union’s request. Heads of sections, who previously had no responsibility allowance, will now earn N150,000 annually. NASU had proposed N900,000 for the category.

The government also approved higher allowances for field trips, teaching practice and industrial supervision. Workers on CONTISS 1–5 will receive N81,000 annually instead of N60,000, while those on CONTISS 6–12 will receive N108,000 instead of N80,000. Staff on CONTISS 13–15 will now earn N135,000 annually, up from N100,000.

For the Students’ Work Experience Programme (SWEP), workers on CONTISS 1–5 will receive N81,000 annually, while those on CONTISS 6–12 will earn N108,000. Employees on CONTISS 13–15 will now receive a harmonised annual allowance of N135,000, replacing the previous range of N60,000 to N100,000. NASU had proposed N200,000 for the category.

The circular further stated that the Provision Tools Allowance (PTA) has been merged into the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CATA). It also noted that laboratory student-to-staff ratio supplementation will now be covered under excess workload arrangements.

The review followed months of discussions between the Federal Government and NASU. The union had argued that the allowances approved under the 2009 agreement were no longer adequate because of inflation and the rising cost of living.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A University of Jos (UNIJOS) student, identified as Ibrahim Pilasar Mbaya, has allegedly died after fellow students accused him of stealing an iPhone 16 and subjected him to hours of torture at an off-campus apartment in Jos, Plateau State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday at a residence behind the City of David in the Ring Road area of the city.

According to reports, Ibrahim had spent the night at a friend’s apartment before he was accused the following morning of stealing an iPhone 16. The friend reportedly claimed that Ibrahim was the only other person in the room and therefore the main suspect.

Rather than reporting the allegation to the police, the suspects allegedly assaulted and humiliated the student for several hours.

A video said to have captured parts of the incident has circulated online. It allegedly shows the victim tied up and suspended while being beaten. In another scene, he was reportedly forced to transfer water from one container to another with a teaspoon despite his weakened condition.

Sources alleged that the student endured repeated assaults and degrading treatment throughout the ordeal.

They further claimed that after the torture, Ibrahim was locked inside a room where a nurse was invited to examine him. The nurse reportedly confirmed that he had died.

The suspects allegedly attempted to take his body to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) in what witnesses described as an effort to portray the incident as a medical emergency. However, the police were reportedly alerted before the plan could be carried out.

Reacting to the incident, a concerned citizen, Prince Miaphen, condemned the alleged killing and called for justice.

“That this late student was beaten to death by his fellow students in a student environment over allegations of theft has given me serious headache and pains.

“More annoying is the fact that one of his female friends, a fellow model, suggested that my attention should be called upon when it was happening and another friend said they should wait for further investigation before informing me. Kai! Kai!! Kai!!!”

Providing more details, Miaphen said:

“It was alleged that the young boy went and slept in a friend’s place and there was a case of a stolen iPhone which he was accused of stealing. UNIJOS, Bauchi Ring Road…

“This was a very friendly and jovial model.

“He was beaten to death yesterday by students in an off-campus apartment behind the City of David in Ring Road.

“IB passed the night in his friend’s place in Ring Road and the friend accused him of stealing his iPhone 16 in the morning.

“He said since they were the only two in the room, he’s the only suspect.

“They subjected this young model to brutal torture, humiliating, disgracing and dehumanising him.

“They later locked him up in a room and asked a nurse to check up on him. The nurse confirmed him dead and they attempted to take him to JUTH Emergency Unit to make the case look like an emergency when the police was called.

“The beastly treatment they subjected this boy to is better imagined.

“May Almighty God continue to expose perpetrators of dastardly acts like this. Amen/Ameen.”

The incident has triggered widespread outrage among students and residents. Many have called on law enforcement agencies to carry out a thorough investigation and ensure that anyone found responsible faces prosecution.

As of the time of filing this report, the University of Jos had not issued an official statement on the incident.

The spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, SP Alfred Alabo, did not comment on the matter. He reportedly declined to speak when first contacted, while subsequent calls to him were not answered.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

The National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) has come under scrutiny after allocating N18.049 billion of its N26.47 billion 2026 budget to staff salaries and allowances, representing 68 per cent of its total budget.

The agency, responsible for standardising and certifying Arabic and Islamic education across Nigeria, plans to spend N15.414 billion on salaries and N2.636 billion on allowances and social contributions for its workforce, according to budget documents.

While N146.6 million is earmarked for allowances, N2.489 billion has been allocated for social contributions, including N770.15 million for the National Health Insurance Scheme and N1.540 billion for staff pensions.

The remaining 32 per cent of the budget covers N318 million for overhead costs and N8.104 billion for capital expenditure.

The board has also set aside over N2.5 billion for projects including road construction, solar streetlights, food distribution, and social media training across Kano, Katsina, Kogi, and Zamfara States.

Notable allocations include N210 million for road construction in Kano Central Senatorial District, N175 million each for solar street lights in three Kano LGAs, and N28 million for rice distribution in Zamfara State.

A combined allocation exceeding N1.5 billion has been made for solar street light installations across multiple Kano LGAs, with amounts ranging from N140 million to N175 million per local government area.

Dr Umar Yakubu, Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, called for the board’s scrapping, describing it as a duplication of existing agencies.

“First of all, we create agencies we don’t need. How can you create a whole agency just to conduct exams when you can easily give that role to WAEC, JAMB or other bodies?” he asked.

Yakubu alleged that “90% of the staff don’t have work to do,” adding that the EFCC has been investigating corruption allegations at the agency for years.

Public analyst Lasisi Olagunju highlighted the disparity in spending, noting that NBAIS’s personnel expenses exceed the entire personnel budget of NECO (N15.53 billion), NUC (N4.216 billion), NBTE (N1.843 billion), and NCCE (N1.306 billion).

“How many workers does the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies have in its employment to justify a personnel bill of more than N18 billion?” Olagunju queried.

Sources within the agency, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the board has approximately 6,000 staff members. Some employees admitted to having little to no work, with one headquarters staff member stating: “I come to work twice a week because there is nothing for me to do.”

NBAIS was recognised as a national examination and regulatory body in 2011 following approval by the National Council on Education, covering over 1,600 public and private schools and more than 5,000 Tsangaya schools.

The agency’s Head of Information, Abdul Salam Ramalan, promised to respond to inquiries after consulting with his principal but had not done so at the time of filing this report.

By Anwar Usman

The management of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has suspended six lecturers allegedly found selling unauthorised handouts and textbooks, while another lecturer has been suspended over alleged sexual harassment as the institution investigates claims of sex-for-grades, cultism and other related offences.

This was disclosed by the institution’s spokesperson, John Onimisi, in a statement issued on Sunday in Lokoja.

“Six lecturers on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, were suspended by the management of the institution for the unauthorised sale of handouts and textbooks, while a lecturer was also suspended for alleged sexual harassment”, the statement partly read.

The incidence comes amid growing concerns over allegations of sexual harassment, cultism activities and other forms of indiscipline within the institution.

Sources within the polytechnic revealed that some lecturers had been requesting sexual favours or money from female students in order to obtain good grades, while cult activities had also resurfaced on campus.

One source claimed that disciplinary measures introduced by the previous administration had weakened, emboldening erring staff and students.

Reports further alleged that some female students who reported incidents of sexual harassment had received little institutional support and were instead subjected to intimidation.

Other claims included the alleged reintroduction of compulsory handout sales, relaxation of the institution’s dress code and enforcement of student identity cards, all of which, according to the source, had contributed to declining discipline on campus.

However, while reacting to the allegations, Onimisi said the management was already investigating the claims through the institution’s disciplinary committee.

He assured that appropriate action would be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.

He reiterated that “the school management is aware of the allegations, and the disciplinary committee of the Polytechnic is already investigating them. The outcome will be made available to journalists in due course.