馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Many Nigerian curricula are outdated, says UK-based scholar
via Punch Nigeria14 min read
Dr. Oyedele Ogundana, a Senior Lecturer in the Accounting and Finance Division at Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom, states that many Nigerian curricula are outdated and no longer relevant to today's workplace. He highlights that while the Nigerian educational system is generally good, a significant gap exists in the application of knowledge, contrasting it with the UK system where curricula are regularly updated to meet employer expectations and labor market demands. Dr. Ogundana, who moved to England in 2013 for his master's and later earned a PhD, noted challenges such as the transferability of Nigerian qualifications and adapting to the British learning system, which emphasizes application over memorization. He advocates for collaboration between Nigerian universities and academics in the diaspora to improve curricula and share knowledge, suggesting that Nigerians abroad can transfer practices adapted to local realities. He also advises Nigerian students planning to study in the UK to ensure adequate financial resources due to the individualistic nature of the society and the need to cover tuition, accommodation, and other expenses. To combat brain drain, he suggests building strong partnerships, fostering research collaborations, mentorship, and technology transfer to create an environment where talented individuals can thrive within Nigeria.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadAt least 1,429 Nigerians were repatriated from Niger Republic in May 2026, according to data from the Mixed Migration Centre. Niger Republic continues to serve as a major transit corridor for West African citizens attempting to reach Europe through Libya and Algeria. The repatriations highlight the ongoing presence of stranded migrants in Niger, many of whom face prolonged stays in IOM centers or urban areas with limited resources. In May 2026, the Nigeria Immigration Service confirmed the arrival of 1,100 Nigerians from Niger Republic, followed by an additional 329 returnees received by the National Emergency Management Agency from Agadez, Niger鈥檚 main desert transit hub. Agadez has been a key staging post for West Africans crossing the Sahara into Libya or Algeria for over a decade. Nigerians remain among the nationalities attempting the Central Mediterranean Route into Italy, with 163 arrivals recorded as of May 2026. The report also noted that 14,602 people were expelled from Algeria into Niger between January 18 and May 17, 2026, with some migrants, including Nigerians, subsequently pushed back across the border into Algeria by Nigerien police, creating a cycle of expulsion and re-expulsion. Niger鈥檚 role as a transit corridor accelerated after the collapse of the Muammar Gaddafi regime in Libya in 2011. A 2015 law criminalizing migrant smuggling in Niger, enacted under pressure from the European Union, was later repealed by Niger鈥檚 military government, a move that rights
Opposition parties in Nigeria have criticized the Presidency's celebration of a reported commendation letter from United States President Donald Trump to President Bola Tinubu regarding efforts against insecurity. Some parties questioned the letter's authenticity, while others argued its relevance to Nigeria's broader security challenges. The Presidency announced Trump's letter praised Tinubu's "decisive leadership" and mentioned the deployment of US Special Operations Forces to train the Nigerian military. However, Osa Director, National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, dismissed the celebration, stating that Nigerians would judge the government based on actual conditions, not diplomatic letters. Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, expressed doubts about the letter's authenticity. Major Agbo, National Chairman of the New Nigeria People's Party, noted conflicting reports about the letter's existence and content. Ken Asogwa, National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, suggested Trump's comments, if authentic, should be interpreted narrowly, focusing on terrorism and attacks on Christian communities, rather than the multifaceted nature of Nigeria's insecurity. The African Democratic Congress and the Allied People's Movement also viewed the letter as mere diplomatic communication, not an endorsement of the Tinubu administration's overall performance. Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progress
Must ReadEsther Nworgu secured Team Nigeria's inaugural gold medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in the women's para powerlifting lightweight category. The 24-year-old athlete twice broke the Games record, first with a lift of 118kg for 114.1 points, and then improved her own record to 123kg, scoring 119 points to clinch the gold. Following her victory, Nworgu received a total cash reward of $10,000, comprising an immediate $5,000 at the venue and an additional $5,000 deposited into her account, in line with the National Sports Commission's athlete welfare policy. Her achievement marked a strong beginning for Team Nigeria's para powerlifting campaign.