Education
Topfaith International sec. School wins NILDS Quiz Competition
***as President of the senate makes case for girl-child education
Topfaith International Secondary School, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom state has won the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) 2022 National Quiz Competition for Senior Secondary Schools in Nigeria.
At the grand finale of the competition held at the National Assembly, Abuja Thursday Topfaith defeated six other secondary schools who were zonal champions from the six geo-political zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Model Secondary School, Akure, Ondo state came second while Global Kids Academy, Sokoto, Sokoto state took the third position.
Other schools that participated at the grand finale on Thursday, but were not so lucky are Saint Augustine College, Jos, Plateau state (North Central), Government Secondary School, Gwarimpa, Life Camp (FCT), Grounvig International Secondary School, Oba, Anambra state (South East) and Immaculate Conception Secondary School, Bauchi, Bauchi state North East) who came fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan, who declared the competition open observed that “educating girl-child is better than women empowerment”.
Lawan posited that educating the girl child is far better than empowering women as education is the best form of empowerment in life”.
An educated girl child, he added, will hardly be vulnerable at the stage of womanhood for the type of women empowerment programmes being carried out in the country today at various levels.
“If you want to empower women, you don’t do that only through organising city women and say they must have this and that, go back to the basis by giving the girl child quality education.
“They don’t have to beg anybody to get there once they are educated, they don’t have to beg anybody saying give us this percentage or that of whatever position.
“Education of the girl-child is very important for any society or country that wants to be genuinely developed and I’m very happy that girls are well represented among the competing schools here today .
He observed that out of the seven participating schools, two are public schools while the remaining five are private schools, which he said tells the story that our “private schools are more successful”.
The Senate President, who is also the Chairman of the Governing Council of NILDS, advocated that “government must invest more in public schools”, adding that “education up to secondary school should be a must and free”.
“When you have people educated, they can take care of their health and they cannot join bandits and Boko Haram”, he said.
He also made a case for private schools to be supported by making some resources available to them since they are making significant contributions to the development of education I the country.
“I notice there is a good if girls here. That shows that if you want to empower women, you don’t to beg anybody, just educate them. This represents Nigeria of tomorrow where men and women join hands to build the country”.
The Director General of National Broadcasting Commission ( NBC) , Balarabe Shehu Ilelah in his remarks , said the content of the annual national quiz competition of NILDS which dwells on practice of democracy and in particular, the role of the legislature, should be amplified further through television programmes for children.
The NBC boss who was represented by Mrs. Clementine Usman Wamba , an Assistant Director in the agency , said thematic channels for packaging of such programmes are available .
“What NILDS is doing and aiming to achieve with the annual National Quiz Competition among senior secondary schools across the country on practice of democracy, should not stop at the various venues but transformed them into content that can be aired on television through any of the thematic channels”, she said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director – General of NILDS, Professor Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman said the Nigerian Legislature is no doubt one of the most misunderstood arm of government , narrative of which is being changed with the instrumentality of the quiz competition.
“To this effect, NILDS is further encouraged to collaborate with research institutes and relevant agencies of government to develop curriculum on Legislative and Democratic studies for inclusion in the civic Education, Social Studies, Government and other curricular for basic as well as Senior Secondary Education to enrich their contents and bridge the knowledge gaps in the legislature”, he said.
The Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriations, Barau Jibrin, who represented Lawan at closing ceremony presented the trophy to the winners.
The Kano lawmaker also made a personal donated a computer to each of 14 participating students, two each from the six geo-political zones and the FCT, Abuja.
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has expanded its international footprint by accrediting more schools in Equatorial Guinea to conduct its Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
According to a statement released in Minna on Wednesday by NECO’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mallam Azeez Sani, the newly accredited schools are located in Bata, the largest city in Equatorial Guinea. This expansion adds to the existing NECO-accredited schools in the country.
The accreditation process involved a comprehensive assessment by NECO’s team, which evaluated the schools’ classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer labs, workshops, examination halls, sports facilities, continuous assessment systems, teacher adequacy, and security standards.
Following a thorough review, the schools were granted full accreditation to conduct both SSCE and BECE examinations.
Mallam Azeez Sani emphasized that this development underscores NECO’s commitment to providing quality education and standardized assessments beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“With its expanding global presence, NECO is positioning itself as a leading examination body in Africa, creating opportunities for Nigerian students and other foreign nationals to benefit from its expertise and contribute to educational advancement across the continent,” he stated.
NECO examinations are currently written in Benin Republic, Niger Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, further cementing its role as a key player in Africa’s educational landscape.
***Insists, no Students, No Meeting
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a final ultimatum to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), demanding immediate student representation on its board.
The association has vowed to shut down the upcoming board meeting if its demand is ignored.
In a letter dated February 13, 2025, addressed to NELFUND’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, and Board Chairman, Jim Ovia, NANS President Lucky Emonefe condemned the exclusion of students as “completely unacceptable.”
Emonefe indicated that excluding students from the NELFUND Board is tantamount to shaving a man’s head in his absence emphasizing that decisions about student loans should not be made without their input.
Representing over 50 million students nationwide, NANS insisted that students, as the primary beneficiaries of the fund, must have a seat at the table.
The letter warned that failure to comply would result in a mass mobilization to prevent the board meeting from taking place.
“This is not an appeal; it is a final warning. Nigerian students refuse to be spectators in decisions that shape their future. No student, no meeting!” the letter concluded.
With tensions rising, all eyes are now on NELFUND’s leadership to see whether they will yield to NANS’ demands or risk a major student uprising.
By James Ojochegbe
As September approaches, excitement continues to build around Rugby School Nigeria, a prestigious institution set to redefine secondary education in West Africa.
With its campus rising in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, and preparations in full swing, the school’s leadership remains committed to delivering an elite academic experience rooted in the traditions of its UK counterpart.
International Development Director of Rugby School Global,
Ian McIntyre, recently toured the campus and expressed confidence in meeting the projected launch date.
“The facilities here will reflect the highest standards of excellence and innovation,” he remarked, underscoring the institution’s goal of blending academic rigor with holistic student development.
While the school’s full senior program will open in 2026, its debut this year will focus on an advanced Sixth Form curriculum designed to propel students into the world’s top universities.
The program, led by expert instructors, covers a diverse range of subjects, from Mathematics and Sciences to Business Studies and the Arts.
James Whitehead, Director of Education at Rugby School Global, highlighted the school’s unique approach: “At Rugby School Nigeria, we embrace the ‘Whole Person, Whole Point’ philosophy, ensuring students not only achieve academic excellence but also develop key life skills.”
Beyond academics, Rugby School Nigeria aims to cultivate leadership, creativity, and resilience—qualities that will prepare students for success in an evolving global landscape. As enrollment begins, families across the region are eager to secure a place in what promises to be a transformative educational institution.
In a deal sealed by
Nick Bacon Chairman, Governing Body of Rugby School and Mr Ronald Chagoury, Chairman of Eko Atlantic, Rugby School Nigeria will initially offer a Sixth Form programme for day students aged 16 and above, emphasizing
academic excellence and a diverse range of extra-curricular activities, preparing students for entry to the world’s
leading universities.
With the school set to welcome its first A Level students this September, and the full senior school opening in September 2026, excitement has continued to build around this transformative educational institution for aspiring students from across West Africa.
Expressing his excitement at the progress made so far,
Ian McIntyre, said,
“It is truly inspiring to see the remarkable progress being made on the world-class campus of Rugby School Nigeria. The facilities here will reflect the highest standards of excellence and innovation, ensuring that students will experience an education that is both academically rigorous and holistically enriching.
“With the launch of our full A-level programme this September and the full opening of the senior school in 2026, we are excited to bring the proud heritage and values of Rugby School to Nigeria. This campus will undoubtedly become a beacon of learning in West Africa.”
According to the statement from Rugby School Global, the A-Level students will benefit from expert instruction by specialist teachers in a broad range of subjects, including: English Literature, Mathematics & Further Mathematics; Biology, Chemistry, Physics; History, Geography, French; Art, Economics, Business Studies; Physical Education, and Computer Studies.
James Whitehead, Director of Education at Rugby School Global, equally highlighted the school’s distinctive philosophy
“At Rugby School Nigeria, we embrace the ‘Rugby Way’ teaching & learning philosophy and the ‘Whole Person, Whole Point’ approach—ensuring that students not only excel academically but also grow holistically, preparing them for the world’s top universities and life beyond.”
The first phase of the school campus will include a reception and welcome area, numerous classrooms, sports and social spaces and a sixth form centre.
The statement further urged ”
prospective families to register their interest and “secure a place for their child at this groundbreaking educational institution. ”
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