The Kingdom of Sweden and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in education, research and innovation, following a high-level diplomatic engagement at the university’s Enugu Campus.

Sweden’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, made the pledge during a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, describing the engagement as a continuation of over six decades of diplomatic and academic relations between Sweden and Nigeria.

Westerholm highlighted Sweden’s longstanding support for the Resource and Environmental Policy Research Centre and the Environment for Development initiative at UNN, noting that the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to research-driven policy and sustainable development.

She emphasised that Sweden’s national model of free and inclusive education through the tertiary level has been central to its human capital development strategy and economic transformation.
According to the ambassador, sustainable national growth is unattainable without consistent investment in education and youth empowerment.

She disclosed that her delegation included Swedish industry leaders ready to support institutional reforms, particularly in digital transformation, entrepreneurship development and technology-driven innovation.

Commending the Enugu State Government’s allocation of 30 percent of its annual budget to education, Westerholm described the state as an emerging innovation hub.

She noted that the momentum witnessed at the recent Enugu Tech Festival aligns closely with Sweden’s innovation-led development model.

In his response, Professor Ortuanya described UNN as Nigeria’s first indigenous university, established with a mandate to produce globally competitive and innovative graduates across disciplines.

He welcomed deeper collaboration with Sweden across multiple academic fields and called for expanded exchange programmes for students and faculty.

While acknowledging environmental sustainability and climate research as priority areas, the vice chancellor stressed that accelerated development in the 21st century demands strategic investment in engineering, computing, robotics and artificial intelligence.

A key highlight of the visit was a technical presentation by Swedish industry representatives outlining proposals to fully digitalise university records and strengthen entrepreneurship education through structured digital skills training aimed at promoting self-employment and job creation.

The engagement builds on earlier discussions initiated in August 2025 by a Swedish delegation led by Fredrik Ahsberg, Head of Political and Trade Section at the Swedish Embassy.

Director of International Collaborations at UNN, Dr. Kelechi Nnamani, described the visit as evidence of growing international confidence in the university’s research capacity, governance stability and innovation relevance, noting that the next phase will focus on delivering measurable outcomes.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the results of the 2025 Second Series Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE), for private candidates.

This is contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Public Affairs Unit of the WAEC National Office in Lagos by Moyosola Adesina, Acting Head of the Unit.

It stated that candidates may check their results by visiting www.waecdirect.org to confirm their status before proceeding to the Digital Certificate platform at www.waec.org to access released digital certificate copies.

“Candidates are required to apply online for printing of hard copy certificates through the WAEC Certificate Request Portal, e-Certman, accessible via https://certrequest.waec.ng/ for processing.

“All candidates who sat for the exams are advised to carefully review their results and take necessary steps promptly, including accessing certificates and completing required applications online,” it added.

The statement recalled that 69,604 candidates, representing 1.8 per cent increase, compared with the 2024 entry figure of 68,342, enrolled for the examination, while 65,752 candidates sat for the examination at 370 centres spread across the country.

It added that among the people that sat for the examination, 235 candidates, with varying degrees of special needs (visually impaired, impaired hearing and albinos) registered for the examination.

According to the statement, out of the total number of 65,752 candidates that sat the examination, 32,005 were males while 33,747 were females, representing 48.68 per cent and 51.32 per cent respectively.

“61,943 candidates, representing 94.21 per cent have their results fully processed and released while 3,809 candidates, representing 5.79 per cent have a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors traceable to them,”.

It however, assured that efforts were being made to speedily complete the processing to enable affected candidates to get their results fully processed and released, subsequently.

The analysis of the statistics of the candidates’ performance shows that out of the 65,752, candidates who sat for the examination, 33,989 candidates representing 51.69 per cent obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects (with or without English Language and/or Mathematics).

“27,727 candidates representing 42.17 per cent obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

“Of this number, 13,416, representing 48.39 per cent were male candidates, while 14,311, representing 51.61 per cent were female candidates.

The statement stated that 1,899 candidates’ results, representing 2.89 per cent of the total number of candidates that sat for the examination, were withheld in connection with various reported cases of examination malpractice.

It added that investigations were ongoing and reports would be presented to the appropriate Committee of the Council for determination.

The statement said that the Committee’s decisions would be communicated directly to the affected candidates, thereafter.

The Rotary Club of New Haven, in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Enugu City Centre and Enugu Metropolis, alongside the Rotaract Club of New Haven and the Interact Club of New Haven, has launched a targeted initiative to promote literacy, hygiene, and career development among students of New Haven Secondary School, Enugu.

The programme, themed “Our Youths, Our Future: Bringing Back the Reading Culture,” engaged students, educators, and community stakeholders through structured learning sessions and practical workshops.

A highlight of the initiative was the reactivation of the school’s Interact Club, with 36 students formally inducted into Rotary’s youth arm. Additionally, 216 students received curated reading materials designed to strengthen literacy and critical thinking skills.

Students also participated in career-focused seminars and practical sessions covering hygiene protocols and digital research skills.

Dr. Chukwudi Madu led demonstrations on proper handwashing techniques, emphasized the role of water in maintaining health, and provided guidance on medical career pathways.

Other facilitators addressed opportunities in art and design, laboratory sciences, and strategic career planning tailored to students’ aptitudes.

Dr. Chukwudi Madu demonstrates proper handwashing techniques to students during the hygiene and health session organized by the Rotary Clubs at New Haven Secondary School.

Adaeze Nwokolo addressing students during the programme at New Haven Secondary School, Enugu.

Complementing the student-centered activities, the clubs conducted a Peace and Conflict Resolution Management session for teachers and staff.

Led by Past President Tony Eze and Past Assistant Governor Stella Eneh, the session equipped school personnel with practical strategies to manage conflicts and strengthen institutional relationships.

Teachers, staff, and Rotary facilitators of New Haven Secondary School pose for a group photo following the Peace and Conflict Resolution Management session led by Past President Tony Eze and Past Assistant Governor Stella Eneh.

In addition, the clubs donated books to the school library and presented recognition gifts to the principal and vice principal overseeing the Interact Club.

In his response, the principal of New Haven Secondary School, Mr. Charles Obetta, expressed appreciation to the Rotary Clubs for their generosity and urged continued support for future school initiatives, a commitment the clubs have assured.

Organizers described the initiatives as part of a broader strategic framework aimed at advancing education, youth development, and community resilience in Enugu.

The Peter Mbah Foundation, in partnership with LinkPro Consult Integrated Limited, has formally sent off the first cohort of beneficiaries of its overseas scholarship programme to pursue studies in top-ranking universities in the Republic of Ireland.

The scholars were awarded full scholarships, covering tuition, stipends, and flight tickets. The initiative forms part of a broader human-capital development strategy aimed at expanding access to quality education and global opportunities for indigenes and residents of Enugu State.

Speaking while hosting the students and their parents during the weekend, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, described the scholarship as an opportunity anchored on responsibility. He urged the beneficiaries to distinguish themselves through discipline, academic excellence, and good conduct, noting that they would serve as ambassadors of Enugu State in their host country. The governor also advised the students to remain focused, humble, and law-abiding, and to allow their academic results and character to speak for them and their families.

The Peter Mbah Foundation stated that the overseas scholarship programme is designed to create practical pathways through education and skills acquisition, while opening global doors for young people from Enugu State. According to the Foundation, the initiative reflects a long-term commitment to investing in people as the most critical driver of sustainable development.

The departure of the first cohort marks a significant milestone in the Foundation’s education interventions and underscores the state government’s emphasis on human capital as a cornerstone of Enugu’s development agenda.

The Kwara State Government has directed the reopening of schools across the state following what authorities say is a significant improvement in the security situation.

The announcement was made in a statement released on Sunday by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, who said all public and private schools are to resume academic activities on Monday, February 2, 2026.

Dr Olohungbebe said school heads and relevant education stakeholders have already been officially informed of the decision, which was reached after a review of ongoing security efforts across the state.

Since November 2025, many primary and secondary schools in parts of Kwara South were shut as a precautionary measure, forcing learners to remain at home while schools in other parts of the state and country continued with their academic calendar.

The state government said the decision to reopen schools was taken in the interest of restoring normal learning while ensuring that adequate security measures remain in place to protect students and school personnel.

According to him, sustained operations by security agencies have helped to reduce threats posed by criminal elements, particularly around communities and educational facilities that were previously affected by insecurity.

“The situation has improved considerably compared to what we experienced in the past, although we are not lowering our guard,” the commissioner said.

He noted that security personnel remain deployed in strategic locations to consolidate recent successes recorded in tackling banditry and other criminal activities that had earlier disrupted academic activities in some parts of the state.

The commissioner added that alongside security operations, the state government is intensifying efforts to strengthen community participation, promote early warning mechanisms, and encourage collaboration between residents and security agencies to maintain lasting peace.

Credit: Daily Post

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has launched a wide-ranging capacity-building initiative targeting teachers, head teachers and School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) as part of a renewed push to strengthen teacher development and improve learning outcomes across Nigeria.

The programme, funded by the European Union and implemented in collaboration with the Enugu State Ministry of Education and the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), is designed to enhance the quality of instruction in classrooms and support long-term reforms in Nigeria’s basic education sector.

Speaking at the training held in Enugu, UNESCO Programme Assistant for the Expand, Integrate and Strengthen Systems (EISS) Project, Maureen Chiedozie, said the intervention is central to efforts to build a more resilient teaching workforce capable of driving sustainable human development.

Chiedozie explained that the EISS project is anchored on globally recognised frameworks, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Agenda 2030, both of which emphasise inclusive, equitable and quality education.

The initiative is currently being implemented in six states, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Katsina, Plateau and Oyo representing all six geopolitical zones of the country.

She highlighted that the training in Enugu forms a key component of Outcome 3 of the EISS programme, which focuses on establishing Teacher Learning Teams (TLTs) across groups of schools. These teams are expected to promote collaboration, strengthen peer-learning structures, and ultimately improve professional practice within the classroom.

“Through TLTs, teachers will be better connected to their students, colleagues and the wider community, creating an ecosystem that supports improved learning outcomes,” Chiedozie said. “This engagement represents a major milestone in our broader objective of strengthening systems, improving governance and elevating the overall quality of teaching and learning across Nigeria.”

She noted that the project will also reinforce teacher preparation for emerging job demands, support both pre-service and in-service training, and guide the development of policies on teacher recruitment, management and retention.

The overarching goal, she added, is to boost student attainment by expanding the number of well-trained and professionally supported teachers nationwide.

In his remarks, Chairman of ENSUBEB, Assoc. Prof. Hyginus Okibe, expressed strong optimism about the initiative’s potential impact on the basic education sector.

He said the combination of reliable school data, advanced teacher training and active stakeholder participation would significantly improve the state’s capacity to support teachers and transform learning experiences.

According to him, the EISS intervention marks “a major step forward in strengthening education governance and accelerating teacher-development reforms” in Enugu and across the participating states.

Participants at the training also received a technical briefing on GPS-enabled school-mapping methodology, a tool designed to improve data accuracy and support evidence-based decision-making within the education system.

The session concluded with a pilot demonstration exercise conducted within the state capital.

The UNESCO–EU initiative is expected to scale across more schools in the coming months, with education stakeholders describing it as a timely support programme capable of reshaping Nigeria’s basic education landscape.

Former Governor of Anambra State and Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, on Friday reaffirmed his long-standing commitment to educational development with a further donation of N10 million to Dominican College, Abatete.

The contribution accompanied his inspection of the boys’ hostel currently under construction a project he is personally funding.

Obi, who toured the site with school authorities, assured them of his continued involvement, noting that he would make regular visits to ensure the project’s timely completion and adherence to quality standards.

A light moment occurred on his arrival when students, eager to honour him, began a customary musical welcome often reserved for visiting dignitaries. Obi gently requested that they discontinue the performance before he alighted from his vehicle.

He later explained that while such gestures are culturally familiar, they can distract students from academic priorities. “I want the children to focus on their studies and personal growth rather than rituals meant to impress politicians,” he said.

Friday’s visit adds to Obi’s extensive history of support for the institution. In July 2025, he laid the foundation for the boys’ hostel and donated N25 million as seed funding. He also recalled earlier interventions, including the construction of a female hostel.

Dominican College has over the years benefited from Obi’s philanthropy beyond physical infrastructure. The school has received buses, computers, power generators, internet facilities and a borehole initiatives aimed at strengthening its academic environment and operational capacity.

Obi reiterated to staff his conviction that investment in education remains central to community development and national progress.

He encouraged students to remain diligent and committed to their studies, stressing that quality education equips young people for leadership and success.

His sustained engagement with Dominican College exemplifies a model of civic responsibility in which public figures invest in educational institutions in tangible and accountable ways.

The hostel project, now well underway, is expected to provide modern accommodation that supports a more conducive learning atmosphere.

Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has challenged private school operators to take a frontline role in reversing Nigeria’s educational decline, warning that the country cannot attain meaningful development while neglecting its schools.

Speaking at the 2025 NAPPS International Conference and Exhibition in Umuahia on Wednesday, Obi said the nation’s current economic and social instability is rooted in long years of poor investment in education and healthcare, the “two pillars of national progress”.

He noted that with more than 60 per cent of children now enrolled in private basic schools, the private sector has effectively become central to Nigeria’s educational future.

Obi urged school proprietors to prioritise teacher quality, curriculum reform, relevant technology adoption, and strategic partnerships with government.

He called for policy reforms that would support affordability and quality, such as reduced taxation on schools, incentives for learning-resource providers, and a comprehensive national framework for teacher development.

Nigeria, he stressed, must demonstrate its priorities in budget allocations and delivery, not rhetoric.

NAPPS National President, Chief Yomi Otubela, thanked Obi for his longstanding advocacy and said the pressures on private schools demand stronger collaboration with government.

He later conferred on him the NAPPS National Role Model Award for exemplary leadership.

Obi, recalling his tenure as Anambra State governor, said he supported both public and private schools because “education is a collective responsibility”.

The conference continues with expert sessions and exhibitions on innovation for a transitioning economy.

In a remarkable act of generosity, former Secretary of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), Barr. Chukwudi Amah, has cleared the school and West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees for 75 students from Nkpologu Ward, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area.

The beneficiaries, drawn from Joerose Community Secondary School, Ogba Nkpologu, and Sacred Heart College, Nkpologu, were informed of the gesture on Thursday during an interaction with the philanthropist, school officials, and members of the community.

Speaking to the students, Amah said his support was motivated by a desire to help underprivileged youths access quality education and complement government efforts in the sector. “Education breaks the cycle of poverty,” he said, adding, “I passed through thorns to get educated and will do everything to encourage others to toe the line of education.”

Amah highlighted that this is the second time he has paid WAEC fees for students from the ward, noting that last year he supported 45 candidates. “Today, we celebrate 75 of you—75 dreams waiting to take flight,” he said. “The benefit of education extends beyond the individual—it impacts families, communities, the state, and the nation as a whole. When you excel, you build a bridge for others.”

The Vice Principal of Joerose Community Secondary School, Mr. Philip Okpe, described Amah as a “blessing to the people,” noting that many parents had been struggling to raise funds for the fees. “Seeing Barr. Chukwudi Amah take on this responsibility lifts a heavy burden from parents and gives students hope,” he said.

Mrs. Nnaemena Ifeyinwa, Vice Principal of Sacred Heart College, Nkpologu, praised Amah for his continued support of the community’s students. She urged beneficiaries to work hard and uphold the value of education. “Success comes only through dedication and effort,” she said, noting that Amah’s gesture is an example of giving back to the community.

Beneficiaries also expressed their gratitude. Okoro Blessing of Joerose Community Secondary School called the support “an investment into our future,” while Ifeanyichukwu Obochi of Sacred Heart College said Amah’s assistance had “wiped away our tears and given us hope.” They promised to work hard to ensure the support translates into academic success.

Amah’s philanthropy comes at a time when many families in rural communities struggle to meet school fees, highlighting the critical role of private support in complementing government investment in education. His gesture is expected to inspire students and serve as a model for community-minded initiatives aimed at improving access to education.