Ideal Reporters

Parents Call For Regulation On Sales Of Text Books By Schools Parents in Nasarawa State have called on the government to regulate the sale and purchase of textbooks in schools, citing financial strain and exploitation. Dr. Akyala Ishaku, who made the appeal on behalf of parents, urged the Ministry of Education to take decisive action, particularly against the trend in private schools. In a public statement directed to the Commissioner of Education, Hon. John D.W Mamman, he wrote: "Dear Commissioner of Education Nasarawa State Ministry of Education. On behalf of Parents. Kindly regulate buying textbooks every term by parents from private schools. Proliferated schools are using this avenue to extort parents. Kindly bring out the lists of recommended books for every session to be procured by parents, please. Thank you." Parents argue that while some schools, especially private ones, compel families to purchase new textbooks every term, such practices have become expl...

Atiku Foundation Awards Fully-Funded Scholarships to TeenEagle Global Finalists ... Commended for Championing Education and Youth Empowerment in Nigeria The Atiku Abubakar Foundation (AAF) has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to educational advancement and youth empowerment with the offer of fully-funded scholarships to three outstanding Nigerian students—Nafisa Abdullahi, Rukaiya Mohammed Fema, and Khadija Kashim Kalli—who emerged as global winners at the recently concluded TeenEagle Global Finals. The scholarship offer, as contained in a letter dated 5th August, 2025, signed by Prof. Ahmadu Shehu, Ag. Secretary of AAF, covers the remainder of the beneficiaries’ secondary education as well as their university education in any institution of their choice. Describing the girls' remarkable performance as a testament to academic excellence and the boundless potential of all children regardless of background, the Foundation reaffirmed its dedication to supp...

WHY JAMB ? By Jamil Zakari   A retired renown professor of education, who was at one time three times vice chancellor of universities in Nigeria and overseas and who once chaired the Board has once shared his thoughts with me on this JAMB body of thing. I honestly share his thoughts to the effect that JAMB has outlived its usefulness. I can't lay my fingers on anything new that the Board is doing that individual tertiary institutions cannot, or are not already doing. The same maths, English and other o'level subjects that NECO, WAEC, NAPTEB and other exams bodies are doing is what JAMB is replicating. The difference is that while the former are grading the same subjects on numerals A, B, C the later is grading its own on figures 50,60, 70 etc. Add that to post UTME tests  that is now the vogue in all tertiary institutions, and you will see the picture clearly as to why the body should simply be scrapped. So, other than revenue generation and the facade of centr...

" Bokonnan duk Shirme ne": A Dangerous Narrative That Risks the Future of Northern Youths By: Kabiru Danladi Lawanti  In recent years, a dangerous narrative has crept into public discourse: that acquiring “skills” is more important than earning a degree. On the surface, it sounds practical. But peel back the layers, and it reveals a deeper, more systemic threat—one that risks derailing the aspirations of millions of young Nigerians, especially those from Northern Nigeria who already face significant barriers to education. Recently, a video surfaced on social media showing the Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, Ƙauran Bauchi dismissing Boko as "Shirme". I am not sure of the context, but as a governor and one of the leading voices in north east, I was disturbed watching the video. Let us be clear: the problem in Northern Nigeria is not a surplus of educated youth or university graduates—it is the very absence of access to quality education in ...

SHEIKH JA'AFAR MUSA LOKO ADVISES GOVERNOR SULE ON SCHOLARSHIP  A renown Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ja'afar Musa Loko has called on His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, the Nasarawa State Governor to invest in education, advising that providing both local foreign scholarship especially on special areas of discipline, to indigenous Nasarawa State students whose academic performance stands out, would go a long way to enhance academic pursuit, professional career and economic growth. He made the call during a Tafsir (Qur'anic exigesis) session at the Tarbiyyah Model School Mosque, situated at Alh. Musa Eigege Depot in Nasarawa.  Emphasizing the need to further expose promising youths in the State to various opportunities, particularly ones offered by education, Sheikh Ja'afar cited foreign and domestic scholarships in professional courses, as exemplified by some Governors, including that of Kano, where the sons of the downtrodden are sent abroad or offered domes...

GOMBE STATE GOVERNMET APPROVES N580 MILLION FOR 2025 SSCE FEES FOR OVER 20,000 STUDENTS The Gombe State Executive Council (SEC), presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has approved the sum of 580 million for the payment of registration fees for over 20,000 students sitting for various Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 2025 across the state.  This was announced by the Commissioner of Information, Culture and Ethical orientation, Hon. Mijinyawa Ardo Tilde, when he led other council members for a press briefing after the 45th executive council of the State.  Speaking further on the council’s approval for the payment of the SSCE, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Aishatu Umar Maigari, stated that the Gombe State Government has consistently funded SSCE payments since 2019 to ease parents' financial burdens and ensure indigent students complete their secondary education without obstacles. “Today, at the council meeting, approval was granted for the...

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REVERSES 18 YEARS ENTRY AGE FOR UNIVERSITY EDUCATION  The new Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Alausa declared Federal Government reversal of entry age for University education while briefing the Press on the assuming office. Dr. Alausa explained that the policy was detrimental to the Federal Government's  efforts to reduce the number of out of school children in the country, and that the policy is not sustainable for the education sector. He said the 16 years age limit would be maintained but there would be exceptions for gifted children.  Recall the former Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman had announced earlier that 18 years was pegged for University education, meaning children below the age were not permitted to further their education, a development that raised concern.

NBTE RATES WING COMMANDER ABDULLAHI IBRAHIM VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE BEST IN NIGERIA   By Ali Abare   The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has rated the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technology Institute Lafia as the best skills training centre in the country. Engineer Ja'afaru Garba, a deputy director and head of the National Skills Qualifications (NSQ) at the NBTE gave the rating while on a courtesy call on Governor Abdullahi Sule at the Government House on Tuesday.  Engineer Garba, who led a team from the NBTE on accreditation exercise at the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technology Institute, said Nasarawa State is the first state in the country to hearken to the call by the board for the establishment of a skills training centre. According to him, with the current global trend, skills have become the global currency that can address the challenges of unemployment, joblessness and out of school children. "For sk...

FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NASARAWA's FIRST FEMALE ACTING RECTOR ASSUMES OFFICE  Dr. Hauwa Mohammed Tanko assumed office today, 1st July 2024, following her appointment by the Federal Ministry of Education as the first female Acting Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa. She took over from Dr. Samuel Obarakpo who held the position for six months on Acting capacity, following expiration of tenure of Dr Alhassan Hassan Ahmed.  Until her appointment, she had served the institution in various capacities, including Deputy Rector, Research and Innovation.  She was warmly received by top management staff who pledged their support, believing she will bring her wealth of experience acquired through years of hard work, discipline and dedication.

NIGERIAN STUDENT WHO FAILED WAEC 17 TIMES BAGGED TWO DOCTORATE DEGREES A Nigerian student who goes by the name Emmanuel Ahmadu has passed through challenges trying to acquire education. After failing WAEC exam 17 times in the past and not deterred, he has successfully earned two doctorate degrees in United States.  Emmanuel's story is a testament to resilience and determination, akin to Dr. Ben Carson's. He first gained international attention in 2018 when he won the International Award for Student Brand of the Year in West Africa as an undergraduate at the University of Benin (UNIBEN). Encouraging young people to demonstrate perseverance and resilience in pursuing their goals, he said, “Seek out opportunities for growth, leverage available resources, and connect with mentors and supportive networks. “Remember, every setback is a setup for a greater comeback. “Keep pushing forward, and your efforts will eventually yield success,”  “My story is a beacon of hope for ...

NECO RESCHEDULES ENTRANCE EXAMINATION DUE TO LOW ENROLMENT   The National Examination Council (NECO) has rescheduled its 2024 National Common Entrance Examination into Federal Unity Colleges and Federal Government Academy, Suleja.  This was revealed to newsmen in a statement by the Ag. Director, Information and Digital Communication of the Council, Azeez Sani in Abuja on Tuesday. According to him, entrance examination into Federal Government Academy, Suleja for gifted and talented children earlier scheduled for May 4, is now to take place on May 25 while entrance examination into Federal Unity Colleges earlier scheduled for April 20, has been shifted to  June 1. "The rescheduling of the two examinations is due to low enrolment of candidates" - Sani noted. "All candidates, parents, guardians, schools and and relevant stakeholders are therefore enjoined to take note of the new dates " - he added.