Education
Participants at InterswitchSPAK 2.0 Masterclass Share Experiences
A Masterclass event was recently hosted by Interswitch Group for the top 81 finalists out of the 17,460 who registered for the InterswitchSPAK 2.0 National Qualifying Examination.
The event was part of the InterswitchSPAK Switch-a-Future project, a CSR initiative of the company focused on rewarding and driving increased interest in the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects among Senior Secondary School students across Africa.
It was designed to impact in the student soft skills that are readily not taught in the classroom, through real-life thought leaders.
Majority of the participants spoke about the need to be trustworthy, as a prerequisite to success, noting that integrity goes hand-in-hand with success. They also said it was important to have a mindset of equity rather than equality, as prosperous communities are built, and the fight against corruption is best won, with the equity mindset.
Nwachukwu Goodluck, a 15-year-old student of DSC Technical High school, Abdulahi Abubakar, a 16-year-old student of Ansar-ud-deen Comprehensive College, Ota, and Adesoji Ridwanullahi, a 16-year-student from Adesope Islamic Secondary School, Ile-Ife, all reiterated their learnings on these issues.
Some of the other participants at the Masterclass spoke about Innovation, the need to be able to pursue one’s ambition, identify a need area and create a network of people that will help grow the idea into an innovative solution that will enhance lives. Aimofumhe Eshobomhe, from School for the Gifted, Gwagwalada, Abuja, and Onwu Sonikenechi Anelie, from Loyola Jesuit College, all shared this view.
For other participants, key takeaways from the Masterclass included the ability to manage time, develop skill sets for different environments and develop a conscious effort to interact with people. Others spoke about being intentional when choosing careers, explaining that it was important to choose jobs they are passionate about.
A 16-year old Adesoji Ridwanullahi, from Adesope Islamic Secondary School, Ile-Ife, Jasper Nshem, of Premier Academy, Lugbe, Abuja, and Umeh Somtochi Yolande, from Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, wanted to be deliberate about networking, while 14-year old Ochonogor Christine, from The Incubators Secondary School, Kaduna, Faduola Shedrack, of Crowned International Group of Schools, Abeokuta and 15–year old Ahmed Adbulhameed, from Effective International College, wanted to be intentional about their career choices.
The Masterclass was a full-day knowledge sharing and engagement session, with inspiring and successful Nigerians sharing their experiences across school, work and family life.
Speakers at the Masterclass were: Mitchell Elegbe, / Founder/GMD, Interswitch Group, who spoke on the topic: ‘Emotional Intelligence and The Leadership Responsibility of Youth’, Dr. Ola Orekunrin-Brown, MD/Founder, Flying Doctors Nigeria, who spoke on the topic: ‘Entrepreneurship – Creating Sustainable Impact by Solving Social Problems’, Ayokunnu Ojeniyi, Project Manager, Enabling Business Environment Secretariat, Office of the Vice-President, spoke on the topic: ‘Collaborative Approach to Social Innovation’.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, with 61.54 per cent of candidates obtaining credits in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
The Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, Mr Amos Dangut, announced the results at a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday.
Mr Dangut said 1,200,514 candidates met the benchmark for admission to higher institutions, out of the 1,950,726 candidates who sat the examination nationwide, held between April 24 and June 19.
He said 102,708 examiners were engaged in the marking exercise held at 88 marking venues across the country between 2 July and 20 July.
“Today, I am happy to inform you that all the processes leading to the release of results have been completed. It is now my pleasure to announce the release of the results of candidates who sat the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2026 in Nigeria,” he said, directing candidates to the agency’s portal to access their results.
“UPDATE: 2026 WASSCE (SC) results have been released. Generate your PIN at waec.org and check your results now on waecdirect.org,” the examination body said, noting that candidates must obtain their Serial Number and PIN before they can check their results.
To generate the required credentials, candidates are expected to visit WAEC’s official website and select the “Serial Number and PIN” option at the top of the page.
They are then required to select the appropriate examination year and diet, enter their examination number and National Identification Number (NIN), and ensure that the NIN provided is the same one used during registration for the examination.
Candidates must also provide their email address and phone number to receive a One-Time Password (OTP).
After entering the OTP, candidates can recover their Serial Number and PIN, which they can subsequently use to check their results through WAEC Direct.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Over 200 senior students of Cleggs Girls High School, Surulere, Lagos, were on July 23, 2026, engaged in practical knowledge about the risks associated with smoking, vaping, and shisha.
This engagement was made possible through a collaboration between Breathe Life Foundation and Teach Nigeria Fellow.
Participants were students aged 15–19 years. They were also informed about the misconception that shisha is a safer alternative to cigarettes or other substances.
Through an engaging and interactive discussion, students explored the influence of peer pressure and learned practical strategies for making healthier, more informed lifestyle choices.
They also gained a better understanding of common environmental triggers of asthma and other respiratory conditions, including cigarette smoke, generator fumes, bush burning, mosquito coil smoke, candles, charcoal, and firewood.
The session highlighted an important reality: young people may not always recognise how seemingly routine lifestyle choices and environmental exposures can gradually affect their respiratory health, quality of life, and long-term wellbeing.
For Breathe Life Foundation, this reinforces the importance of shifting the conversation from treatment to prevention through awareness and education.
By equipping young people with the knowledge to identify risks and make healthier choices early, the foundation is helping to build a generation that is more conscious of – and better prepared to protect – its respiratory health.
The organisation said it is dedicated to advancing respiratory health, an often-neglected public health priority. Healthy lungs are essential to life, yet respiratory diseases remain among the world’s leading causes of death and disability, even though many are preventable and treatable.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) schemes, the Obajana Plant of Dangote Cement Plc has distributed some educational materials to some pupils in Kogi State.
The items shared to the beneficiaries included school bags, exercise books, writing materials, water bottles, and other essential learning aids aimed at enhancing the learning experience of the pupils and preparing them for the next academic session.
The General Manager for the Social Performance Department of Dangote Cement at Obajana Plant, Mr Ademola Adeyemi, said the materials were donated days after Dangote Cement distributed similar education materials to pupils in public schools in its catchment communities of Oyo, Iwaa, Obajana and Apata; and commissioned a multi-million-naira hospital in Obajana, which added to the growing list of social investments that includes an earlier hospital project in Iwaa and Oyo Communities.
He noted that, over the years, the company has invested billions of naira in a wide range of social programmes for host communities, including empowerment programmes, road construction, and potable water projects, and it remains resolute in its commitment to sustaining and expanding its interventions.
He noted that the company’s corporate social responsibility programmes are aligned with government development priorities and are implemented through sustained, mutually beneficial partnerships.
“The intervention was informed by findings from a needs assessment conducted by Dangote Cement. During the assessment, it was observed that several pupils attended school without school bags, while others carried their books by hand. It was also discovered that many students lacked essential learning materials such as exercise books, pens, pencils, and other basic learning materials,” the cement firm said.
The Head Teacher of UBE LGEA School, St. Luke Model II, Adankolo, Lokoja Local Government Area, Mr Abubakar Sanni, expressed profound appreciation to the management of Dangote Cement for the gesture.
The Head Teacher expressed gratitude to the Group President of the conglomerate, Aliko Dangote, for extending the company’s educational support programme beyond its host and impacted communities to schools located at the state headquarters.
The beneficiaries, school management, parents, and community stakeholders expressed gratitude to Dangote Cement for the timely intervention and prayed for the continued growth and success of the company in its efforts to improve lives and support sustainable community development.
