Education
NSUK VC pledges continuous support to Institute on science communication
From Abel Abogonye, Lafia
Vice Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) Prof. Suleiman Bala-Mohammed, has promised to continuously give full support to the university’s Institute of Strategic and Development Communication (ISDEVCOM) in it’s drive to raising the standards of science communication in Nigeria and Africa.
Bala-Mohammed made the pledged in an interview with newsmen at the sidelines at the 4th Isdevcom two days conference on communication and development in Africa taking place in Keffi local government area of the state on Wednesday.
According to him, Science communication encompasses a wide range of activities among which are informing non-experts on scientific ideas, methods, knowledge and research in an understandable and useful way and Informing public policy among others.
Bala-Mohammed said since the establishment of the institute in 2018, the institute has succeeded in popularizing and raising the standards of science communication in Nigeria and in Africa most especially in public policy formulation and implementation.
He said this informed the resolve of the management of the University to by all means continue the support for the institute to among other objectives churn out scientific and public policies that are useful and easily understandable for the benefit of the public.
“Isdevcom is about five years old now and it has done wonderfully well in terms of raising the standards of science communication. So we plan to work with a number of universities in Africa to further popularize science communication.
“We are fully committed to supporting the Institute but we know that funding can never be enough. So we have encouraged those at the institute to also seek partners that they can collaborate with so that they can get more funding,” he said
He described the annual conference as very important with specific emphasis on the 2023 conference which he described as data driven development with all key players attending to contribute to the theme of the conference.
“So this conference is an epoch making event. We are happy with the massive turnout particularly of key stakeholders who came to interface and exchange ideas.
“The conference has provided an opportunity for cross fertilization of ideas. The outcome of the conference is going to help in public formulation, formulation and implementation,” he added.
Also speaking, Prof Emmanuel Dandaura, Executive Director, Isdevcom and Convener of the conference said the 2023 conference theme which is: Change Management and Data-Driven Strategic Engagement for Development was chosen in a bid to discuss the various ways communication can be applied from the perspective of the intelligence that can be read from data.
“We have experts both from the sciences and humanities attending and will be deliberating on the theme. I hope we can come out with a communique,” he said.
In another interview, Mrs Rose Gidado, a participant at the conference described the timing and theme of the conference as apt given the current situation in Nigeria whereby there is a lot of data but there is lack of engagement with right stakeholders to manage the data for optimal use.
Gidado who is also the Director, Agric-Biotechology Department, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) and who was given the “Excellence in Science Communication Award” by the institute on the first day of the conference expressed gratitude to the Institute for the honour granted her.
She then pledged to strengthen the synergy between the Institute and NABDA.
“I am not taking the award for granted. I am still so elated, happy and delighted and also motivated to do more because the more you receive, the more you get motivated to do more for the benefit of the society.
“I appreciate the Institute and wish them well and want to assure them that our partnership with them will definitely continue,” she added.
Others awarded by the institute include Governor Abdullahi Sule with “Excellence in Leadership Award”, Governor Simon Lalong with “Excellence in Strategic Community Engagement Award” among others.
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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