Education
63 Rivers Law Students Get O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation Scholarships
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
At least 63 students from Rivers State admitted to the Nigerian Law School have been awarded scholarships by the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation.
The beneficiaries were those chosen for this year’s edition of the gesture. They were given a grant of N120,000 and a brand-new laptop each at the 14th Law School Students Scholarship award ceremony held on Tuesday, July 25, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Since the foundation started offering scholarships to students of the state in 2009, not less than 868 persons have benefited.
“The O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation firmly believes in the power of education and its ability to transform lives. Our Education and Scholarships Programme improves access and attainment through initiatives supporting students who would otherwise be shut out due to financial constraints.”
“We understand that pursuing a career in law is a challenging task. It demands an indomitable spirit, tireless effort and an unwavering commitment to upholding justice and to defending the rights of others.
“We recognise the tremendous trials that law students face, both academically and financially. That is why we established this scholarships program to provide a helping hand and support brilliant young minds on their journey towards becoming future leaders in the legal field,” the Chairman of the organisation, Mrs Seinye O.B. Lulu-Briggs, said in her welcome address.
She added that the awardees “have demonstrated unwavering dedication, immense talent and a passion for the pursuit of justice throughout their studies. Therefore, assisting such extraordinary young minds with a scholarship that includes N120,000 and a brand-new laptop is an honour.”
She charged the awardees to use the resources wisely and always remember the values that led them to pursue a career in law.
“As future legal professionals, you have a unique opportunity to uphold the universal and timeless principles of justice and fairness.
“After completing Law School, I implore you also to use your legal knowledge and skills to champion the cause of justice, advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves and defend the marginalised,” the philanthropist stated.
In her lecture titled Technology and the Legal Profession: Transforming the Legal Landscape, retired Chief Judge of Bayelsa State and guest speaker, Justice Kate Abiri, said integrating technology in the legal landscape has enhanced efficiency, accuracy and accessibility.
Justice Abiri highlighted how Artificial Intelligence, blockchain technology, Online Dispute Resolution and E-discovery have transformed the legal profession, noting that AI has emerged as a game changer in the legal field, transforming how lawyers perform research, analyse data and provide legal advice.
“Traditionally, lawyers had to review and analyse mountains of electronic data during litigation manually. AI algorithms, equipped with machine learning capabilities, can quickly identify and flag relevant documents, saving time and reducing costs.
“These advancements streamline the legal workflow and minimise human error, ensuring accuracy and consistency,” she said.
Justice Abiri further stressed that lawyers needed to adapt to the technological advancements, noting that failure to do so “can result in reduced efficiency, decreased competitiveness and a diminished ability to serve clients effectively. As technology evolves, lawyers must develop technological literacy and embrace digital tools to enhance their practice.”
She, however, warned that lawyers must pay attention to data security and privacy when adopting technology.
“The increased reliance on technology exposes law firms and their clients to potential cyber threats and data breaches. Implementing robust cybersecurity measures, training staff on best practices, and staying informed about evolving threats are essential for safeguarding sensitive client information and maintaining trust,” she stated.
The Deputy Director General and Head of Campus, Nigerian Law School, Port Harcourt and Chairman of the event, Mr Chinonso Mmuozoba, spoke in the same vein, adding that the students will benefit from adopting technology.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, O.C.J. Okocha and other speakers, including the representative of the Rivers State Attorney General, all commended the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation’s uncommon philanthropy for boosting legal education in the country through its Law School Students Scholarship to grow young legal minds.
Mr Okocha said, “I congratulate the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation for sustaining this scholarship scheme over the years. I also congratulate the recipients and advise you not to take this for granted. You are a select few from the many that applied. I know that financial resources are not so readily available to your parents and those supporting your education, so use what you have been given well. Also, remember that honesty and dedication are hallmarks of this profession.”
Beneficiaries of the scholarship also applauded and thanked the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, promising to use the resources well.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has suspended the proposed review of registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
The Federal Ministry of Education made the announcement on Monday in a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Boriowo Folasade.
The ministry announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated June 18, 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken.
The Minister of Education, Mr Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be placed on hold, with the Ministry acknowledging the concerns and constructive feedback received from the public since the planned increase became known.
The Ministry said the proposed fee review was driven by rising operational costs that have accumulated over several years without a corresponding adjustment to examination registration fees.
It said the current fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite significant increases in costs covering logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other services required to maintain the integrity of public examinations.
“The proposed review was informed by the prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations,” the statement said.
“The current examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite significant increases in operational costs,” the Ministry added.
The ministry said the proposed fee hike will no longer take effect as earlier planned, while acknowledging that the concerns raised by Nigerians warranted a pause in the process.
“The proposed review of examination registration fees will not take effect, as earlier communicated, pending the conclusion of the consultation process,” the statement confirmed, adding that the June 18 letter conveying the proposed adjustment has been formally withdrawn.
“This decision underscores the Ministry’s determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of Nigerian students and their families are carefully considered, socially responsive and reflect the collective interest of the nation,” it said.
The Ministry outlined a fresh stakeholder engagement process that must be concluded before any decision on examination fees is made, signalling that the review has been delayed rather than permanently shelved.
The Ministry said it will engage extensively with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour and other education stakeholders as part of the renewed consultation process.
It said the goal of the consultation is to ensure that any future decision is “fair, sustainable, transparent and responsive to prevailing realities while safeguarding access to education,” framing the suspension as a course correction rather than an outright reversal of policy intent.
“The Ministry acknowledges the concerns and constructive feedback received from the public and appreciates the keen interest shown by Nigerians in matters relating to access to quality education,” the statement read.
The Ministry assured Nigerians it would keep the public fully informed throughout the consultation process, saying the welfare of students and equitable access to quality education “remain at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the education sector.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The examination fees of Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) have been increased by the federal government by about 82 per cent to N50,000 from N27,500.
A circular signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Adeniji Ibrahim, disclosed that the new fees would become effective in 2027.
In the notice, it was disclosed that the government approved the upward review of the fees following a request by WAEC.
It was further disclosed that the decision to jack up the fees was reached after a March 31, 2026, meeting between the Minister of Education and examination bodies, where the need to review examination fees was discussed.
“You may recall that at a meeting of examination bodies held with the Minister of Education on March 31, 2026, where the need for upward review of examination fees was discussed, the Minister directed that WAEC and NECO should adopt a uniform fee for the conduct of WAEC and NECO SSCE,” the statement read.
“Consequently, I am directed to convey the Minister of Education’s approval of the sum of N50,000 only, as the new examination fee per candidate, with effect from NECO SSCE (Internal), 2027,” it added.
**Modibbo Adama University Emerges Grand Prize Winner, Secures N50m
A leading integrated independent exploration and production company with full-cycle upstream delivery capability, FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P), has reaffirmed its commitment to developing Nigeria’s next generation of engineers.
This commitment was highlighted during the grand finale of the maiden edition of the Nigerian Engineering Olympiad (NEO), held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event recognised outstanding student innovators whose engineering solutions addressed real-world challenges, marking the culmination of months of regional qualifiers, prototype development, mentorship and boot camp sessions that equipped students from universities and polytechnics across Nigeria with practical skills in engineering, innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Olympiad attracted 984 participants across 375 teams from more than 80 tertiary institutions representing all six geopolitical zones of the country.
Delivering the sponsor’s address, the General Manager, Engineering and Capital Projects, FIRST E&P, John Alamu, emphasised that the competition reflects the company’s commitment to equipping students with the practical knowledge and innovative mindset required to excel in engineering and strengthen Nigeria’s future workforce.
Alamu, noting that initiatives such as the Engineering Olympiad provide a structured platform for young talent to transform innovative ideas into practical solutions that contribute to the country’s technological and industrial advancement, stated that, “FIRST E&P believes that developing STEM capacity is an investment in this country’s ability to solve its own problems. The Nigerian Engineering Olympiad has taken young engineers and taught them to think beyond the drawing board, and FIRST E&P is proud to have been a funding partner for this initiative. I commend NCDMB for championing the Olympiad and Enactus Nigeria for successfully delivering a platform that is helping shape the next generation of Nigerian engineers and innovators.”
In his address, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Acting Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Silas Ajimijaye, expressed appreciation to FIRST E&P for their unwavering support in successfully delivering the Olympiad.
Ajimijaye added that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Nigeria First Policy, which aims to build indigenous engineering capacity and equip young Nigerians with the knowledge and skills needed to drive industrial competitiveness, technological advancement, and sustainable national development.
The competition concluded in the awarding of prizes, with Team Mavericks of the Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Adamawa State, winning the grand prize of N50 million and a Centre of Excellence building for its Faculty of Engineering.
The team’s winning innovation, Ubuntu Sapphire, is a community-powered rapid alert system that uses affordable devices to instantly notify neighbouring households and emergency responders during emergencies, offering a practical solution aimed at strengthening community security and emergency response infrastructure.
Speaking after receiving the award, Team Lead, Dr David Patrick, expressed gratitude to the organisers and sponsors for providing a platform that fostered innovation and practical learning.
The University of Ibadan emerged as the first runner-up, receiving N30 million and N75 million worth of engineering equipment for its Faculty of Engineering. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, secured third place and was awarded N20 million and N50 million worth of engineering equipment. The University of Jos finished fourth, receiving N10 million.
