Education

10m Out-Of- School Children: Minister Makes Case For Basic Education

Published

5 years ago

March 22, 2021

With the nation’s number of Out-Of-School Children hitting 10 million, the Minister of Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba has stressed the need for the strengthening of the Basic Education in the country.
Nwajiuba stated this during the Launching of the Better Education Service Delivery for All(BESDA), organised by the Jigawa State Government, in Dutse, at the weekend.
Nwajiuba noted that one of the ways to tackle this outrageous number of Out-Of-School Children was to strengthen the quality of basic education in the country by confronting head-on those factors that deny the children access to education.
Nwajiuba revealed that the number was the highest in the Sub-Saharan Africa and stressed the need for stakeholders in the sector to strengthen the quality of education by addressing the factors that impede on the children’s access to basic education.
The minister said”, with an estimated 10,193,918 children out -of-school, Nigeria has the highest number in the Sub-Saharan Africa. For us to address these challenges adequately therefore, we must strengthen the quality of basic education in Nigeria by confronting head-on those factors that deny our children access to basic education”.
Nwajiuba noted that the BESDA programme was designed to result in better life for children with the aim of increasing equitable access for Out-Of-School Children, improve literacy and strengthen accountability for results at the basic education level in the focus states.
He revealed that the programme focused on 17 states which included the entire 13 states of the North West and North East geographical zones as well as Rivers, Ebonyi, Niger and Oyo.
While noting that the selection of the states was based on the prevalence of the number of Out-Of-School Children in the country, the minister said all key activities at the federal level to kick start implementation of the programme by focus states have been concluded.
“Each beneficiary state is therefore expected to commence implementation in line with the specific steps and guidelines provided under the programme” Nwajiuba said.

Education

Test

Published

1 week ago

November 17, 2025

The Tide

Test

Education

Nigeria to Train Electric Vehicle Technicians through NOUN-Auto Clinic Partnership

Published

2 weeks ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has partnered with Auto Clinic Center to train electric vehicle technicians, in a bid to address unemployment and boost the country’s economy.

The partnership was announced during the virtual ceremony for the Course 2 of the certificate program in Electric Vehicle and Auto Diagnostics, held in Kaduna.

Professor Olufemi Peters, Vice Chancellor of NOUN, who was represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor, Technology Innovation and Research, Prof. Christine Ofulue, commended the innovative efforts of the Center and expressed gratitude to the partners and participants.

“This virtual flag-off of Course 2 of the Certificate in Electric Vehicles and Auto Diagnostics, facilitated by Centre for Human Resource Development (CHRD) of the university, is a collaboration between NOUN and the Auto Clinic Center, Abuja,” she said.

The registrar, National Open University of Nigeria, Mr. Oladipo Ajayi, expressed gratitude for the contributions and reiterated the significance of the program in preparing individuals for the future of e-mobility.

“We are committed to promoting skill-based education aligned with national and global needs,” he said.

The CEO of Auto Clinic Center, Nathaniel Okwesiri, emphasized the need to create professional mechanics through a combination of graduate and non-graduate training.

“We are grateful for this opportunity and we believe that this program will help to build a strong national capacity for electric vehicle repair and innovation,” he said.

Professor Shehu Usman Adamu, Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, emphasized the importance of the Auto Clinic Training Initiative in preparing technicians for the emerging world of electric vehicles, aligning with Nigeria’s transition to cleaner and more sustainable mobility.

The keynote speaker, Prince Mustapha Mona Audu, CEO Electric Motor Vehicle Company (EMVC), highlighted the potential for Nigeria to become a leader in electric mobility, leveraging its large market and the continent’s need for sustainable transportation.

“Electric vehicles are the future, and Nigeria must be prepared to take advantage of this opportunity,” he said, announcing the donation of two electric vehicles to NOUN.

The event also announced upcoming programs in procurement management and professional child care, with the goal of fostering partnerships and addressing societal needs.

Education

Kenpoly begins 2025/2026 academic session

Published

2 weeks ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

Management of the Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Bori has announced fatestfor the commencement of its 2025/2026 academic session.

?A statement by the acting registrar of the school, ThankGod Anyim Abalubu said full academic activities will commence from Monday November 10, 2025.

?Accordingly, “all those who applied and have been offered provisional admissions into the various programmes of the Polytechnic in (National Diploma ND and Higher National Diploma HND) are requested to visit the Admissions and Registration Unit of the Registry as well as the Information and Communications Technology Centre (ICTC) for their Clearance and Registration, ” the statement said.

?The statement added that these category of candidates are required to complete all the processes of clearance and registration within one week as lectures will commence on Monday, 17th November, 2025.