Education
Student Loan: Tinubu Extends Scheme to Skill Development Programmes
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has directed the management of the newly constituted Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to expand its focus area to students interested in skill-development programmes.
The President issued this directive after a briefing from the Executive Secretary of NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, on the build-up to the launch of the programme later in the month.
Mr Tinubu said it was important for the scheme to accommodate those who may not want to pursue university education, noting that skill acquisition is as important as obtaining academic qualifications.
“This is not an exclusive programme. It is catering to all of our young people. Young Nigerians are gifted in different areas. This is not only for those who want to be doctors, lawyers, and accountants.
“It is also for those who aspire to use their skilled and trained hands to build our nation. In accordance with this, I have instructed NELFUND to explore all opportunities to inculcate skill-development programmes because not everybody wants to go through a full university education,” he said.
Mr Tinubu emphasised the need for equity and inclusivity in the management of the programme, saying all economically challenged students must not be denied education at any level.
“No matter how economically challenged you are, accredited and qualified students will and must have access to this loan to advance their education in higher institutions. There is no compromise in our commitment to the disadvantaged citizens of this nation.”
In his presentation to the President, Sawyerr said the loan application process would be technology-driven, limiting human interface and “eliminating any possibility of maladministration in the programme.
“By design, this is a perpetual programme and will not terminate. The funds, earmarked for bona-fide Nigerian students, will be disbursed directly to the institutions in the initial phase through electronic transfer.
“Our students will be catered to in a way that bypasses human interference through the full utilization of available technological platforms,” he said.
Mr Sawyerr also said that NELFUND has developed a robust risk-mitigation mechanism to address potential risks that may arise from the programme.
Speaking on the funding of the programme, Mr Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), said sources have been made available to ensure the smooth take-off and sustenance of the programme.
“By the directive of the President, the Education Tax Fund is being reviewed to additionally cater to the needs of our university students across all local government areas in the country as they seek to access vocational and traditional university education.
“Funding for the programme will be adequately covered,” he said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has temporarily withdrawn the 2025 WASSCE results following multiple reports of technical glitches reported during the conduct of the exam.
On Monday, the examination body released the 2025 results, which showed that only 38.32 per cent of the 1,969,313 candidates who sat the 2025 WASSCE obtained credits and above in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, the worst performance recorded in a decade.
This development has sparked outrage, raising similarities with the glitch issue which affected candidates during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTM) organised by the Joint Administration Matriculation Board (JAMB).
In a notice issued by the Acting Head of Public Affairs for WAEC in Nigeria, Mrs Moyosola Adesina, on Thursday, it was revealed that an internal review showed that there were some issues.
The body said these issues arose from a newly introduced paper serialization process aimed at curbing exam malpractice in subjects such as Mathematics, English Language, Biology, and Economics.
“[WAEC] sincerely regrets to inform the general public of technical issues discovered during the internal review of the recently released results of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, (SC) 2025.
“As part of our efforts to curb examination malpractice, the Council embarked on an innovation (paper serialization) already deployed by a national examination body. It is also worth noting that this is in line with best practices in assessment. The paper serialization was carried out in Mathematics, English Language, Biology and Economics. However, an internal post result release procedure revealed some technical bugs in the results,” the statement said.
As a result of the glitches, access to the results has been temporarily suspended on the result checker portal while corrections are made.
WAEC apologized to all affected candidates and the general public, urging patience and understanding.
Candidates are advised to re-check their results after 24 hours, as the council works to resolve the problem with urgency and transparency.
“We extend our deep and sincere apologies to all affected candidates and the general public. We appreciate their patience and understanding as we work diligently to resolve this matter with transparency and urgency within the next twenty-four (24) hours. On this note, candidates who have previously checked their results are advised to re-check after 24 hours from now.
“WAEC remains committed to upholding excellence, fairness and transparency in all our assessment processes,” the statement added.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Young music enthusiasts intending to hone their skills for contribution to the growth of the arts and culture sector in Nigeria have been given another opportunity to enter for a programme put together by MTN Foundation, in partnership with the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON).
The initiative, known as the MTN MUSON Music Scholars Programme, is a fully funded scholarship that offers comprehensive music training at the prestigious MUSON School of Music in Lagos.
The scholarship covers tuition, books and transportation, ensuring that aspiring musicians have the support they need to hone their skills and pursue their passion.
For the 2025/2026 session, the organisers said applicants must possess a Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) or General Certificate of Education (GCE) with at least credits in five subjects, including English Language.
In addition, they are required to have a higher pass certificate of music (Practical and Theory) from a recognized examination body such as MUSON, ABRSM or Trinity.
It was emphasised that applicants who possess practical or theory certificates may also satisfy the GCE (O/L) or SSCE requirements.
This includes Grade five or higher pass certificate of The MUSON School of Music or any other music examining body recognised by the MUSON School.
However, applicants who do not meet the theory requirement but demonstrate outstanding practical ability may be considered. Such students must undertake a remedial theory course and pass the required examination within their first year.
In a statement, prospective candidates were encouraged to apply for the programme, which offers a rigorous curriculum designed to develop well-rounded musicians.
The application deadline for the 2025/2026 academic year is August 25, 2025, and shortlisted candidates will be invited for auditions and interviews at the MUSON Centre in Lagos.
The programme is open to talented young Nigerians who wish to improve their musical skills. Applicants must meet the following minimum academic qualifications:
“We are incredibly proud of our long-standing partnership with MUSON and the profound impact this scholarship programme has had on the lives of young Nigerians
“At MTN, we believe in the power of youth and the transformative potential of education. This programme is a demonstration of our dedication to fostering talent and building a sustainable future for the creative arts in Nigeria,” an Executive Director at MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, stated.
Since its inception, the programme has empowered numerous young Nigerians, enriching their lives and contributing significantly to the vibrant Nigerian music scene. Graduates have gone on to achieve success across various areas of the music industry, both locally and internationally.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Results for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) have been released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
In a statement on Monday, the examination body for West Africa said candidates who participated in the exercise were free to check their results on its platform online.
In the notice on its official X handle, WAEC also advised candidates to visit its result portal to check their performance.
“The West African Examinations Council is pleased to inform candidates who sat WASSCE for school candidates, 2025, that the result has officially been released today, Monday, August 4, 2025,” the statement said.
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