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Alleged Widespread Corruption at UBEC, SUBEBs Worries SERAP

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Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC

By Adedapo Adesanya

An advocacy organisation in Nigeria, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has expressed strong concern over the allegations of corruption at the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs).

The group wants the federal government and relevant agencies to probe the alleged missing N3.84 billion documented in the 2017 annual report submitted by the Auditor-General of the Federation (AGF).

It was alleged that the two agencies in the education sector in Nigeria recorded widespread and systemic corruption, misappropriation and mismanagement of funds between 2004 and 2020.

SERAP wants the government to act fast and decisively and make public the outcome of any investigation, and to prosecute suspected perpetrators if there is relevant admissible evidence, as well as fully recover any missing public funds.

SERAP stated that allegations of corruption in UBEC and SUBEBs violate the right to education of millions of Nigerian children who continue to face unsuitable learning conditions, as shown by the poor learning and boarding facilities at the Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State.

In a statement, SERAP stressed that, “We would be grateful if your government would indicate the measures being taken to address the allegations and to implement the proposed recommendations within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter If we have not heard from by then as to the steps being taken in this direction, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel his government to implement these recommendations in the public interest, & to promote transparency & accountability in UBEC and SUBEBs.

“Allegations of corruption in UBEC & SUBEBs undermine public confidence in the education sector, lead to the erosion of education quality & access, & if not urgently addressed will lead to an increase in out-of-school children, & exacerbate educational inequalities in the country.

“According to the 2017 Annual Report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, UBEC spent N7,712,000.00 to engage external solicitors between January to December 2015 without due process and the approval of the Attorney General of the Federation.

“UBEC also reportedly failed to explain the nature of the legal services rendered. The Auditor-General is concerned UBEC may have engaged ‘unqualified solicitors.

“The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board also reportedly failed to account for N37, 200,000.00 despite repeated requests by the Auditor-General.

“The Plateau SUBEB also spent N9,709,989 without any payment vouchers. The SUBEB spent N1,607,007,353.72 Special Intervention funds by the federal government without any documents.

“The Plateau SUBEB also paid N10, 341,575.00 to various contractors without evidence of advance payment guarantee. The SUBEB paid N70,569,471.00 through cheques to a member of staff, in violation of the Federal Government e-payment policy.

“The SUBEB also failed to explain the purpose of the payment. It spent N120,948,000.00 on the professional development of teachers but failed to retire and account for the money.

“The Imo State Universal Basic Education Board reportedly spent N482,560,000.00 as mobilization fees to some contractors without due process and any advance payment guarantee. The contracts were funded from the Matching Grant Account.

“The Auditor-General stated that the contractors selected lacked ‘the financial capacity to handle the contracts.’ The SUBEB has also failed to account for N140,774,702.12 of project fund since 2015.

“The Kano State Universal Basic Education Board reportedly paid N71,263,000.15 to contractors without due process and without open competitive bidding.

“Similarly, the Ebonyi SUBEB paid N569,758,938.00 to ‘unqualified contractors and companies’ for the reconstruction and renovation of classrooms. The Ebonyi SUBEB also spent N10,123,892.46 to buy store items but without any documents.

“The Gombe SUBEB paid N31,822,600.00 to a staff from its teachers’ professional development funds but failed to account for the money. The Auditor-General is concerned that ‘the payment is fictitious’, and that ‘the funds did not benefit the intended beneficiaries.’

“The SUBEB also reportedly paid N41,277,983.00 as cash advance to staff to ‘buy some materials and for press coverage but failed to account for the money.

“SERAP is concerned about allegations of widespread and systemic corruption, misappropriation and mismanagement within UBEC and several SUBEBs, the failure to investigate these allegations, and to recover any missing public funds.

“The federal government bears responsibility for ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to quality education in a conducive learning environment, and to safeguard education as a public good, govt’s responsibility to guarantee & ensure the right to quality education for every Nigerian child is interlinked with the responsibility under Section 15(5) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 [as amended] to ‘abolish all corrupt practices & abuse of office.’

“This imposes a fundamental obligation to investigate the missing public funds from UBEC and SUBEBs, to prosecute suspected perpetrators, recover the money, and to remove opportunities for corruption in these institutions.

“Access to quality education would empower children to be full and active participants in society, able to exercise their rights and engage in civil and political life.”

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

Education

Hydrogen Donates to Ikosi High School Lagos

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Hydrogen Payment Services Company Ikosi High School

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A company fostering financial and technological inclusion, Hydrogen Payment Services Company Limited, has donated some items to Ikosi Senior High School, Ketu, Lagos.

The company partnered with the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Education District II to provide a 5KVA solar-powered inverter system to the school.

In addition, the school had its water outlet area renovated to improving both its aesthetics and hygiene in line with Hydrogen’s commitment to enhancing learning environments.

Further, it donated some textbooks to the school library, ensuring they have the academic resources needed for a well-rounded education.

Also, the firm invested in the future of the students by equipping them with essential digital skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Through expert-led, interactive sessions, students were introduced to key tech-driven career paths, including Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Software Development, Payment Technology, Product Management and Design, Sales and Business Development, Customer Experience, Digital Marketing, and Project Management.

According to Hydrogen, this comprehensive initiative reinforces its commitment to bridge the digital divide, fostering financial and technological inclusion, and preparing the next generation for the future of work, calling on all stakeholders to join in igniting potential, fostering financial and technological inclusion, and shaping the future of Africa’s digital economy.

It stated that by merging sustainability with digital education and academic support, it is ensuring students not only have access to reliable infrastructure and learning materials but also the knowledge and skills to navigate the global digital economy.

“At Hydrogen, we believe sustainability is about more than just environmental responsibility, but about investing in people, communities, and the future we are building together.

“This initiative is a comprehensive investment in young minds, ensuring they have both the resources and the skills to lead Africa’s digital transformation,” the Business Head for Payment Switching and Processing at Hydrogen, Fiyinfoluwa Olorunsola, said.

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Education

GOMYCODE Offers Master’s Degree in Software Engineering in Nigeria

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GOMYCODE Woolf University

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A leading technology education provider, GOMYCODE, has partnered with a global collegiate higher education institution, Woolf University, to offer a Master of Science in Computer Science with a Specialization in Software Engineering.

This provides an opportunity for aspiring and established tech professionals in Nigeria to hone their skills at GOMYCODE, with a globally recognised certificate to show for it.

The institution disclosed that the program’s online and flexible structure caters to the demands of working professionals, enabling them to balance their studies with existing commitments.

Students will benefit from Woolf University’s rigorous academic standards and GOMYCODE’s practical, industry-relevant approach to learning.

This is because the Master’s program is designed to empower busy professionals and ambitious individuals with advanced skills and qualifications, opening doors to global job opportunities and facilitating potential emigration for those seeking international careers.

This Master of Science in Computer Science with Specialization in Software Engineering program is ideal for tech professionals seeking to enhance their qualifications, individuals aiming for global job opportunities, those considering emigration and requiring advanced degrees, and ambitious individuals looking to accelerate their career growth.

“In today’s competitive tech landscape, advanced degrees are increasingly essential. This partnership allows us to provide a flexible, world-class education that empowers our students to achieve their career aspirations, whether they seek to excel locally or on a global stage,” the co-founder of GOMYCODE, Yahya Bouhlel, stated.

Also commenting, the Head of Strategy and Growth at Woolf University, Naveen Jangir, said, “Our mission is to democratize education, and this partnership aligns perfectly with our goal of providing accessible, accredited degrees to learners worldwide. We believe this program will equip Nigerian tech professionals with the skills and credentials they need to thrive in the global economy.”

On his part, the Country Head of GOMYCODE in Nigeria, Mr Babatunde Olaifa, said, “By offering a globally recognized Master’s degree, we are empowering our professionals to compete on a global scale, giving people an opportunity to level up their careers, and to open doors that they previously thought were closed. We are very excited to see the impact that this program will have on the lives of our students and the broader Nigerian tech community.”

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Education

ComInfFest 2025: MTUCI Discusses Prospects for Exporting Russian IT Education

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By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

An initiative, designed to foster a strategic collaboration between educational institutions from Russia and Africa, is set to bring together exceptional young professionals in the field of information technology. On 13th March 2025, the Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics (MTUCI) hosted a large-scale roundtable discussion on “Exporting Russian IT Education” as part of the International Science Festival “Festival of Communications and Informatics Science – ComInfFest 2025”.

The event became an important platform for discussing issues of promoting Russian educational programs in the field of information technology in the international arena. The roundtable was attended by representatives of embassies of 15 foreign countries and diasporas, interested government bodies of the Russian Federation, leading IT companies, international student organizations, as well as the president of the Cameroonian diaspora in the Russian Federation and chairman of the commission for work with African diasporas of the Russian-African Club of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Louis Gouend.

MTUCI Rector Sergey Erokhin, the roundtable moderator, emphasized the growing interest in Russian IT education students from different countries, noting the need to create favorable conditions for their successful studies, adaptation, and professional development.

Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo Pavel Shevtsov emphasized the importance of creating attractive conditions for professional growth and employment of foreign students.

Louis Gouend emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between the Russian and African educational communities and the role of the Russian IT sector in developing the potential of African students. He also touched upon the issues of adaptation of international students, proposing innovative integration methods and stressed that Africa will be a huge growing market for Russian IT education by 2050.

The participants discussed issues of social and cultural adaptation, competitiveness of Russian education, and ways to overcome language barriers.

The experts further emphasized the need for active interaction with foreign partners, popularization of Russian IT education, as well as interaction between educational institutions and businesses to create practical-oriented programs. At the end of the large-scale roundtable, Louis Gouend discussed with the university management the possibility of receiving subsidies for African students studying in the preparatory course.

Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics (MTUCI) is a Russian university which specializes in the field of information technology, telecommunications, and information security. It currently has a total enrollment of approximately 15,000 students. In January 1992, in accordance with Order of the Government of Russia, it received the status of as a technical university and transformed into the Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics (MTUCI).

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