Education
Stakeholders Laud New Oyo Education Policy
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Oyo State government has been commended by stakeholders in the education industry for its firm approach towards reclaiming the lost glory of the state education sector as well as improving its quality to meet new and higher performance targets saying that the new education policy was a positive step in the right direction.
The stakeholders, who were part of the guests at the Town Hall Meeting held at the International Conference Center, University of Ibadan on Thursday where the new education policy was launched by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, said that government’s resolution to create Schools Governing Boards (SGB) that will provide management functions for each secondary school in the state would revive the education sector.
Mr Ajimobi, while launching the new education policy, said his administration had resolved to rebuild the education sector to put a stop to poor academic performance by public school students, stressing that the condemnation against students arsonists should be collective as the burning and destruction of classrooms and school properties were acts that even parents should not condone.
He said that the newly introduced SGB in the State would serve as a bridge between the government and the community in the management of various public secondary schools in the state, stressing that the SGB would be managed by various stakeholders of each school which includes community leaders, old students associations, principals and head boys/girls of each school.
According to him, “It is shameful that Oyo State that hosts the first university in the country is performing woefully in public examinations but we should all join hands together to revamp our education sector. For us to get this work done, we should all come together and condemn the criminal tendencies in our students as they burned classrooms and destroyed public properties while protesting against the policy against mass promotion.”
“I appreciate the efforts and enthusiasm of everybody here and I am of no doubt that you are all willing to support Government in repositioning education among other sectors in the State. I have no doubt that our reposition, restoration and transformation programmes have been accepted by everybody. I assure you that we will be transparent and accountable in our programmes and activities. I assure you that we will also carry you along in our programmes,” the Governor pledged.
Mr Ajimobi called for an all-inclusive stakeholders support, stressing that the state government is open to support from other sources for the development of education in the state.
“Oyo State government is open to your support in the education sector. Let all old students within and outside the country join hands together to uplift their alma-mata, and if community leaders or a community wishes to contribute their quota to a school within their community, it is a welcome development. These are ways by which we can develop our education sector,” he said.
Governor Ajimobi assured his audience that the crisis at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH) would soon be over as the fact finding panel set up by the governments of Osun and Oyo to resolve the imbroglio would submit its report before the end of month.
The SGB Model of Oyo State was hailed by many for its far-reaching inclusiveness which comprised of lead stakeholders like parents, teachers association, old students association representative, nonpartisan community leader, school’s head boy/girl, principal, Local inspector of education and representative of local government or Local Community Development Area (LCDA) and the believe that the control of schools would not rest only on government but also on the parents and society at large.
The Onpetu of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Adediran, commended the efforts of Oyo State government in finding solutions to what he called the fall in standard of education in the State, describing the State governor as a good leader that always proffered uncommon solutions for the growth of education and overall progress of the State.
“A good parent will not sit aside and watch things deteriorate and it is worthy to appreciate the Oyo State governor who, like a good parent, has put in strategic solutions to counter the present deteriorated state of education in the State. Education growth is tantamount to growth in every other sector of the society as it is a propeller that helps move the society at large to the promised land,” the Onpetu who spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers added.
In his own comments, the President-General of Nigerian Football Supporters Club, Chief Rafiu Oladipo, said that he was a 1967 product of Oke ‘Badan High School, noting that the alumni of the school did not wait for government alone to improve the structures in the school as the body (Oke Badan Alumni) had revamped the infrastructural facilities in the school.
The State Chairman, Parents, Teachers Association (PTA), Alhaji Abiodun Jimoh described the state government’s steps at restructuring the education sector as laudable and consequently pledged their support for the success of the new education policy.
Speaking, the Secretary of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Comrade Niyi Akano said that the teachers’ union was particularly happy when the State government gazetted the School Governing Board Model as the body (NUT) had been part of the program’s initiation, calling on the government to increase the level of in-service training for teachers towards capacity improvement and due process in recruitment to ensure quality.
A stakeholder, Mr Bayo Fasasi gave a thumb up for the government’s resolve to confront the rot in the education sector, urging parents to supports the government’s efforts to turn around education in the state.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Plans have been concluded by Nigerian Breweries to support about 1,000 Nigerian students in Lagos, Ogun, and Enugu States.
The foremost brewing company is carrying out this empowerment initiative with a leading non-profit organisation, FATE Foundation, through the Orange Corners Student Ambassadors Programme of the Netherlands.
This partnership marks a significant step in advancing youth entrepreneurship in Nigeria, equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to build sustainable businesses and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economy.
This is because the scheme is to promote entrepreneurship and offer networking opportunities in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Ambassadors are selected from specific universities to inspire students to see entrepreneurship as a desirable career path and to foster a culture of innovation within universities.
It targets students aged 18–35 currently enrolled in tertiary institutions across Lagos, Ogun, and Enugu States.
“The partnership reinforces Nigerian Breweries’ long-standing commitment to youth empowerment and entrepreneurship development. Through initiatives like this, we are creating pathways for the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders in Nigeria,” the Corporate Affairs Director for Nigerian Breweries, Mr Uzodinma Odenigbo, stated.
He further highlighted the company’s track record in youth empowerment, noting that since the renewed focus on youth empowerment and entreprenuership, Nigerian Breweries has impacted 2,365 young Nigerians across 24 states and the FCT.
Also speaking on the partnership, the Executive Director of FATE Foundation, Ms Adenike Adeyemi, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration between Nigerian Breweries and the Orange Corners Programme.
“Nigerian Breweries has been a longstanding partner with Orange Corners Nigeria in many ways. We are delighted to have the company continue to support the Orange Corners Programme and elated that this commitment will reach an additional 1000 young Nigerians leveraging the proven Orange Corners Student Ambassadors framework,” she said.
Ms Adeyemi outlined FATE Foundation’s role to include designing and delivering the training curriculum, managing student registration and participation, maintaining accurate records of all beneficiaries, and coordinating all logistical and technical aspects to ensure successful programme delivery.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has announced the reopening of the 47 unity schools earlier shut down due to security concerns on November 21.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Federal Ministry of Education on Thursday.
It said that the decision to reopen the affected colleges across the country reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding students and ensuring the continuity of education.
On November 18, 2025, over 20 schoolgirls were kidnapped by unidentified armed men from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi state.
Just three days later, on November 21, about 303 students and 12 teachers were kidnapped at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger state.
In response, the federal government shut down 47 Federal Unity Colleges, and some states including Katsina, Taraba, and Niger also closed schools or restricted school activities, particularly boarding institutions.
Rights group including Human Rights Watch lamented that while these measures were aimed at protecting students, they disrupted learning for thousands of children, denied them access to education, and the social and psychological support schools provide.
FULL LIST OF AFFECTED UNITY COLLEGES
North-West:
FGGC Minjibir, FTC Ganduje, FGGC Zaria, FTC Kafanchan, FGGC Bakori, FTC Dayi, FGC Daura, FGGC Tambuwal, FSC Sokoto, FTC Wurno, FGC Gusau, FGC Anka, FGGC Gwandu, FGC Birnin Yauri, FTC Zuru, FGGC Kazaure, FGC Kiyawa, FTC Hadejia.
North-East:
FGGC Potiskum, FGC Buni Yadi, FTC Gashua, FTC Michika, FGC Ganye, FGC Azare, FTC Misau, FGGC Bajoga, FGC Billiri, FTC Zambuk.
North-Central:
FGGC Bida, FGC New-Bussa, FTC Kuta-Shiroro, FGA Suleja, FGC Ilorin, FGGC Omu-Aran, FTC Gwanara, FGC Ugwolawo, FGGC Kabba, FGGC Bwari, FGC Rubochi, FGGC Abaji.
South-West:
FTC Ikare Akoko, FTC Ijebu-Imusin, FTC Ushi-Ekiti, FTC Ogugu.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Online learning platforms, Coursera and Udemy, have reached an agreement to merge in an all-stock transaction, with the combined company’s implied equity value estimated at approximately $2.5 billion.
The agreement, unanimously approved by both companies’ boards of directors, stipulates that Udemy shareholders will receive 0.8 shares of Coursera common stock for each Udemy share held.
Upon completion of the merger, Coursera shareholders are expected to own about 59 per cent and Udemy shareholders approximately 41 per cent of the new entity on a fully diluted basis.
The combined company will continue under the Coursera name, and maintain its headquarters in Mountain View, California.
Coursera, founded in 2012 by Mr Andrew Ng and Ms Daphne Koller, is an online learning platform with 191 million registered users as of September 30, 2025. It collaborates with over 375 universities and industry partners to offer courses, specialisations, professional certificates, and degrees.
The platform includes features such as generative AI (gen AI) tools (Coach, Role Play, Course Builder) and role-based solutions (Skills Tracks) to support scalable and personalised learning. Coursera is used by institutions for workforce development in fields such as gen AI, data science, technology, and business.
Udemy is a platform that provides on-demand, multi-language courses to help companies and individuals develop technical, business, and soft skills. It uses AI to offer personalised learning experiences and supports workforce development in a changing workplace.
Mr Greg Hart, currently CEO of Coursera, is set to lead the enlarged organisation as CEO after the merger.
The board will consist of nine members. Six from Coursera’s board, including chairman Mr Ng and CEO Mr Hart, and three from Udemy’s board.
“We’re at a pivotal moment in which AI is rapidly redefining the skills required for every job across every industry.
“Organisations and individuals around the world need a platform that is as agile as the new and emerging skills learners must master,” Mr Hart said.
The combination is said to create a complete ecosystem of top instructors supported by AI tools, data-driven insights, and broader distribution, enabling more engaging, personalised, and dynamic learning at scale.
Projected operational efficiencies include anticipated annual run-rate cost synergies of $115m within two years after closing.
Udemy CEO, Mr Hugo Sarrazin said: “For more than 15 years, Udemy has helped millions of people master in-demand skills at the speed of innovation.
“Through this combination with Coursera, we will create meaningful benefits for our learners, enterprise customers, and instructors, while delivering significant value to our shareholders, who will participate in the substantial upside potential of the combined company.”
The merger is anticipated to close in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory clearances, approval by both companies’ shareholders, and other customary closing conditions.
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