By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, has been appointed as the chairman of the governing board of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

He was chosen for the role by President Bola Tinubu, according to a statement on Monday by the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.

Prof Ogundipe succeeds Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who resigned his appointment after less than one year in office.

President Tinubu appointed Professor Aina in July last year, and the board members were inaugurated in November 2025.

As NUC Chairman, Prof Ogundipe will oversee the regulatory body of the Nigerian university system, focusing on funding, global competitiveness and academic stability.

He is expected to provide visionary leadership at the NUC and sustain the credibility of the Nigerian university system by advancing quality, access, and integrity in the education sector.

Prof Ogundipe headed the University of Lagos between 2017 and 2022. He is a professor of Botany with expertise in molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany, and ecological conservation.

He holds a PhD in Botany from Obafemi Awolowo University and an MBA from the University of Lagos.

Currently, Prof Ogundipe, 66, serves as Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.

He is a fellow of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnaean Society of London, and the Royal Society of Biology, London. He has also served as President of the Botanical Society of Nigeria and Chairman of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC).

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

To improve sanitation and enhance the learning environment for students at Ebenezer Grammar School, Iberekodo, Abeokuta, Ogun State, a four-unit toilet facility has been built by OPay Digital Services Limited (OPay) in partnership with Dolly Children Foundation (DCF).

The project was commissioned on Thursday, June 18, 2026. It is expected to provide a safe and hygienic environment for the students and contribute to improved health outcomes.

It will also benefit hundreds of students by promoting healthier hygiene practices, reducing sanitation-related challenges, and creating a safer and more conducive environment for learning.

The OPay Clean Future Project aligns with broader national and global efforts to advance sustainable development, environmental protection, quality education, and community well-being. It further reflects OPay’s commitment to creating value beyond financial services through impactful corporate social responsibility initiatives while reinforcing Dolly Children Foundation’s mission of empowering children and strengthening underserved communities through sustainable development programmes.

At the commissioning, students were also given some educational and hygiene materials, while outstanding learners were recognised with school bags, sandals, and other learning resources in celebration of their academic excellence and exemplary conduct, underscoring the importance of supporting education while rewarding positive values and achievement.

“Education is the foundation of a brighter future, yet many children still face barriers to quality learning. Through the OPay Clean Future Project, we are improving sanitation, supporting education, and ensuring more students have the opportunity to learn in a safe and dignified environment,” the CSR Manager for OPay Digital Services Limited, Mr Itoro Udo, said.

Also, the Executive Director of Dolly Children Foundation, Adedolapo Osuntuyi, said, “Every child deserves access to a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment. This project addresses a critical sanitation need while promoting environmental responsibility and helping students reach their full potential.”

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The national pre-qualifying examinations for the eighth season of the prestigious InterswitchSPAK have been concluded.

The exercise kicked off on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, and ended on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, with over 21,000 students participating, representing a 19.7 per cent increase compared with the over 18,000 registrations recorded in Season 7, underscoring continued nationwide growth and interest in the competition.

The competition is organised by Interswitch, Africa’s leading technology company focused on creating solutions that enable individuals and communities to prosper.

InterswitchSPAK was designed to identify and nurture exceptional Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) talents at the secondary school level.

The national pre-qualifying examinations marked the first stage of a rigorous selection process designed to identify the brightest young minds in STEM across the country. Successful candidates will progress through subsequent stages of the competition, culminating in a televised grand finale where finalists compete for scholarships and prizes worth over N40 million.

This year’s registration process also introduced an expanded access model, allowing parents and guardians to register their wards directly, alongside the traditional school-based registration approach. This enhancement contributed to broader participation and reinforced Interswitch’s commitment to creating inclusive access to educational opportunities for talented students nationwide.

Over the past seven seasons, InterswitchSPAK has continued to deliver impact through scholarships, mentorship, and national recognition for outstanding students, while consistently promoting educational equity and excellence in STEM education.

The overall winner of Season 8 will receive a N15 million tertiary scholarship, including monthly stipends. The first runner-up will receive a N10 million scholarship, inclusive of monthly stipends, while the second runner-up will be awarded a N5 million scholarship, also including monthly stipends. All scholarships are payable over five years. In addition, all nine finalists will receive brand-new laptops and other exciting prizes.

Beyond the top prizes, Season 8 introduces enhanced rewards for finalists placed 4th to 9th, alongside increased recognition for the teachers of students who finish in the top nine. The expanded reward structure further underscores Interswitch’s commitment to celebrating academic excellence and recognising the vital role educators play in nurturing future STEM leaders.

Commenting on the continued growth and participation in the initiative, the Executive Vice President for Group Marketing and Communications at Interswitch, Ms Cherry Eromosele, said, “The remarkable increase in registrations for Season 8 reflects the growing enthusiasm among young Nigerians for STEM education and innovation. We are encouraged by the confidence students, parents, teachers, and schools continue to place in InterswitchSPAK as a platform for academic excellence and opportunity.”