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馃嚦馃嚞Punch Nigeria路7 mins ago
Minister of Education states WAEC and NECO question leakages eliminated through reforms
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced that the Federal Government has successfully eliminated examination question leakages in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination WAEC and the National Examinations Council NECO through recent reforms. He stated that examination malpractice has also been significantly reduced by adopting computer-based testing and a hybrid examination system. Alausa made these remarks at the maiden convocation ceremony of Miva Open University in Lagos, emphasizing that these reforms aim to restore the credibility and integrity of public examinations. He recalled past instances where WAEC questions frequently leaked before examinations, causing concern. The Minister highlighted that such leakages pressured even honest students into malpractice. He attributed the current progress to aggressive interventions by the Federal Government to safeguard the sanctity of public examinations, noting that examination malpractice in WAEC and NECO has been stopped for the first time in seven years. These reforms are part of the broader Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative under President Bola Tinubu's administration. Alausa also mentioned that the Federal Executive Council approved amendments to the Universal Basic Education Act and the National Senior Secondary School Education Act to strengthen education delivery. Other reforms include reviewing the national curriculum to reduce subject loads and focus on foundational learning, critica
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馃嚦馃嚞Punch Nigeria路12 mins ago
Nigeria's foreign policy and response to anti-migrant attacks
The article discusses Nigeria's foreign policy principles, particularly regarding the treatment of its citizens abroad, prompted by an interview with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and a speech by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The author questions if Nigeria has a coordinated, proactive, or reactive approach to incidents affecting its citizens, especially in light of recurring anti-migrant attacks in South Africa. The piece emphasizes the importance of reciprocity as a guiding principle in foreign relations, citing its use in ECOWAS-EU agreements and by Western nations. The author suggests that Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs MOFA needs a prepared list of actions and sanctions to deploy when other nations act inimically to Nigeria's interests. The article also highlights the need for adequate and up-to-date data on countries, their assets, and their nationals operating in Nigeria to effectively implement sanctions. The author proposes that MOFA establish a "Sanction Unit" with dedicated professionals to gather relevant data and identify instruments of sanction, arguing that a nation that does not display strength is not taken seriously.
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馃嚦馃嚞Punch Nigeria路12 mins ago
STEM Africa Fest expands program for underserved children, targets broader Nigerian rollout
Organizers of STEM Africa Fest are expanding their efforts to provide access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education for underserved children. The festival, preparing for its sixth edition, aims for a broader rollout across Nigeria. At least 20 percent of participants at the 2026 edition will attend free of charge, with transportation and feeding covered through partnerships with public schools, non-governmental organizations, and SOS villages. The flagship Lagos edition is scheduled for July 18, 2026, at the Landmark Event Centre. The 2026 program will also include a multi-city rollout, starting with Ilorin, to make STEM learning more accessible and practical for children and teenagers nationwide. Co-founder and Co-organiser of STEM Africa Fest, Titi Adewusi, who is also Co-founder of 9ijakids, emphasized that inclusion is central to the initiative, particularly empowering girls in STEM. The 2026 theme, "Building Future Innovators," focuses on practical learning environments. Co-organiser Mrs. Jadesola Adedeji noted that the festival was created to make STEM education more accessible, practical, and engaging, moving away from abstract perceptions. Since its inception in 2021, STEM Africa Fest has impacted over 25,000 children, students, parents, and educators across Nigeria and other African countries. The 2026 festival will feature interactive STEM laboratories, robotics showcases, coding and game development challenges, AI and machine learning worksh