Stakeholders have called on Nigerian students to acquire digital and emerging technology skills to stay relevant in the future job market, warning that academic certificates alone may no longer guarantee employment.

The call was made at the maiden edition of the Career Guidance and Skills Acquisition Workshop, organised by the Open Africa Foundation in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force at Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa, Abuja.

Speaking at the event themed “The Future of Work in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Empowering Young Minds, Shaping the Future”, the Chairman of the Open Africa Foundation, Tunji Aworinde, said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between formal education and employability.

He noted that many young people complete school without gaining practical skills needed to secure jobs or create their own opportunities.

“Many went through the education system with only certificates and not skills for employment or entrepreneurship. As we speak, youth unemployment is about 30–40% in Nigeria,” he said.

Aworinde also raised concern about what he described as “mental poverty” among some young people, urging students to develop a stronger, more practical mindset toward success.

He explained that the workshop was designed to help students begin thinking about their future careers early, before entering tertiary institutions.

“We are trying to build a mindset in these children that you don’t have to go through school and end up jobless,” he added.

Also speaking, retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Deputy Coordinator of the Nigeria Police Reform Secretariat, Stanley Ude, warned that artificial intelligence has also created new forms of crime, including cyber fraud, deepfakes, and fake news.

The workshop introduced students to career opportunities in AI, cybersecurity, engineering, solar installation, and video editing.

Some students also shared how the programme shaped their thinking about future careers.

A science student, Muhammad Suleyman Ali Amin, said he hopes to become a professional footballer, although he admitted the workshop broadened his perspective.

“Even if I don’t make it in sports, what I’ve learnt here will still help me in the future,” he said.

Another student, Abdulmajid Komolafe, said he remains committed to becoming a lawyer but appreciated learning about AI and engineering.

Similarly, Ewehime Onome Zita of Graceland School, Abuja, said she hopes to become a corporate lawyer and noted that AI has already become a useful learning tool in her studies.

Another participant, Treasure Ubutse Adeze, said she wants to become a radiologist and was excited to learn how technology is transforming healthcare.

The workshop brought together students from 20 public and private secondary schools across the FCT, exposing them to practical skills and emerging career opportunities in the digital age.

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Students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, have won two major prizes at the 10th Huawei ICT Skills Competition Global Finals held in Shenzhen, China.

The competition took place from June 2 to June 5 and brought together 177 teams from 40 countries, competing in networking, cloud computing, computing, and artificial intelligence categories.

At the award ceremony on June 5, the ABU team emerged first in the Cloud category and second in the Computing category.

In addition, three female members of the team received the Women in Tech Award, alongside Nigeria’s Network Team.

Team ABU 2026 also presented a project known as ParaVision during the Artificial Intelligence and Innovation segment of the competition. The project is an AI-powered diagnostic system built on Huawei technology. It can carry out laboratory tests and generate reports in under three minutes. It also supports multiple languages, including Arabic, French, Chinese, and Swahili.

Speaking at the global finals, UNESCO Director for Technology and AI Education, Dr Shafika Isaacs, said the participants were already contributing to shaping the future of technology.

“You have already won something far more valuable than a trophy. You have won the right to be called the problem solvers of tomorrow,” she said.

She added that artificial intelligence is changing how people live and learn but stressed that it must remain human-centred.

“Technologies, including AI, must serve people, not the other way around,” she said.

Dr Isaacs also encouraged students to develop ethical reasoning, creativity, and critical thinking alongside technical skills.

“Machines can take us only so far. We absolutely need human capability, human agency, ethical reasoning, critical thinking, and creativity,” she said.

The networking, cloud, and computing finals involved an eight-hour laboratory exercise in which participants solved real-world technical tasks.

The competition began in October 2025 and attracted more than 220,000 students globally. The ABU team progressed through the national finals in December 2025 and the Southern Africa regional finals in March 2026 before reaching the global stage.

Members of Team ABU 2026 include Kumba-Banna Tekanyi, Yakubu Musa Yakubu, Adekunle Abdulroqeeb Oladimeji, Wakili Sefiu Bolaji, Yunus Muhammad, Ruqayyah Hassan Labo, Khadija Khalid, and Grace Temitayo Olorunfemi. They are students of computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and electronics and telecommunications engineering.

The team participated under the guidance of Dr Bashir Halliru Sani and Dr Zaharaddeen Haruna.

The vice-chancellor of ABU, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, attended the event alongside other university officials, including the deputy vice-chancellor (academic), Prof. Raymond Bako; director of the Distance Learning Centre, Prof. Muhammed Bashir Mu’azu; and director of the Institute of Agricultural and ICT Innovation, Prof. Emmanuel Adewale Adedokun.

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The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has approved research grants worth N7.5 billion for 174 research teams across tertiary institutions in Nigeria under the 2025 National Research Fund (NRF) Grant Cycle.

Announcing the development in Abuja on Thursday, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono said the selection followed a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation process carried out by the National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC).

“I am pleased to announce that the Fund has released the outcome of the 2025 National Research Fund Grant Cycle after a rigorous screening and selection process,” he said.

He explained that applications underwent several stages, including concept note screening, full proposal evaluation, and oral defence sessions in Abuja.

“At the third stage, shortlisted researchers were invited to Abuja for oral presentations to defend their proposals. At the end of the process, successful proposals were selected,” he said.

According to him, the 174 approved grants cut across key national priority areas such as health, agriculture, energy, education, defence technology, gender inclusion, the blue economy, and environmental sustainability.

“The total number of grants awarded is 174, with a total sum of N7.5 billion,” Echono added.

He also noted that individual grants ranged from N13.7 million to N49.9 million.

“We believe strongly that if we harness the knowledge in our tertiary institutions and deploy intellectual talent effectively, we can better utilise our national resources,” he said.

A breakdown of beneficiaries showed that the Federal University of Technology, Minna, led with 18 grants, followed by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, with 11, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with 10.

The University of Ilorin received eight grants, while Bayero University, Kano, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, got seven each. The University of Jos received six grants, while the Universities of Ibadan, Lagos, and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, received five each.

Newly established federal universities, state universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education also featured among beneficiaries. These include institutions such as the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia; Federal University of Environment and Technology, Koroma Saakpenwa, Ogoni; and the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti.

State universities including Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Ekiti State University, Kwara State University, Adamawa State University, Rivers State University, and Sokoto State University also benefited. Several polytechnics and colleges of education were also among the recipients.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed that the Federal Government will do everything possible to secure the release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno States, saying, “No child belongs in captivity.”

The statement was conveyed on Thursday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a national security briefing in Abuja.

Idris described the abductions as a direct attack on Nigeria’s future and educational system, adding that the president has directed all security agencies to intensify rescue operations.

He said the Armed Forces, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, National Intelligence Agency, Office of the National Security Adviser, and the National Counter-Terrorism Centre are all involved in ongoing efforts.

According to him, operations include intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, community engagement, and search-and-rescue missions.

Idris noted that the government’s response combines military action with intelligence-led operations and broader security reforms.

He also highlighted plans for a restructured policing system through the introduction of state policing, which he said would strengthen local security and improve response to threats.

The minister added that President Tinubu is in close contact with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and security agencies to ensure the safe return of the victims.

“To the families whose children remain in captivity, your pain is our pain,” he said, assuring Nigerians that all available resources are being deployed to secure the victims’ release.

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Students of the Special Education Centre, Bauchi State, have emerged overall winners of the National Girls in ICT Competition organised by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

The Bauchi team, which included a deaf student, clinched the top prize with an AI-powered application, Hands That Speak (Sign Care), designed to bridge the communication gap between healthcare workers and deaf patients.

The team, comprising Aisha Mustapha Bala, Rukayya Ahmad and Mary Agwon, represented the North-East and outperformed contestants from the five other geopolitical zones at the grand finale held in Abuja.

Speaking after the presentation, team leader Aisha Mustapha Bala said the idea was inspired by the communication challenges deaf patients often face when seeking medical care.

“We live with deaf people in our communities, schools and workplaces. When they go to hospitals, many cannot adequately explain what they are feeling to doctors.

“This communication barrier has led to loss of lives. Many deaf patients suffer because they cannot effectively communicate with healthcare providers. That is why we developed this application to bridge the gap between doctors and deaf patients,” she said.

Expressing delight over the victory, Aisha said the recognition would motivate the team to further improve the application.

“We are very happy. Now our dream will come true. We have not finished developing the app and will continue working on it,” she added.

Other finalists were Federal Government Girls College, Cross River State (South-South), which came second; Resonance Science School, Abia State (South-East), third; Sweet Heaven High School, Kano State (North-West), fourth; Government Science Secondary School, Abuja (North-Central), fifth; and Kidvarc High School, Osun State (South-West), sixth.

The six finalist teams received cash prizes of N1 million each during a dinner hosted by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

‘We’re raising solution providers, not just coders’ — Minister

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the Girls in ICT Competition is aimed at nurturing young Nigerians into solution providers capable of addressing societal challenges through technology.

Tijani said the initiative goes beyond encouraging students to develop technology products, stressing that it equips them with problem-solving skills and an innovative mindset.

He commended teachers mentoring the participants, noting that their guidance is critical to helping students transform ideas into marketable products.

The minister cited the success of young Nigerian entrepreneurs who have founded globally recognised technology firms and solutions, saying the achievements of the contestants demonstrated the country’s immense digital potential.

He also highlighted government efforts to create an enabling environment for young innovators. According to him, the ministry, through its agencies and programmes, has invested in more than 5,000 computer laboratories in underserved communities to expand access to digital tools and learning opportunities.

Tijani further said the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, launched under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, is designed to prepare young Nigerians for technology-driven jobs and position the country as a leading exporter of digital talent.

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There is no doubt that the alarming rise in insecurity across Nigeria is a serious cause for concern. Beyond the loss of lives and property, insecurity has many devastating consequences for the country.

When farmers are unable to go to their farms for fear of attack, food production and availability are threatened. When schools are forced to close because of security concerns, education is put at risk. When investors stay away due to insecurity, the country suffers setbacks in infrastructure and development.

Attacks on places of worship undermine the freedom to practise religion, while continuous attacks on communities often lead to displacement and migration. Similarly, attacks on government institutions can weaken public confidence and create conditions for disorder.

Nigeria deserves better. The safety and well-being of citizens must be prioritised. The government should take decisive action to address insecurity and ensure that those responsible for criminal acts are brought to justice in accordance with the law.

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Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (NTIC) has celebrated one of its students, Kingsley Ikenna Enwere, after he scored an outstanding 370 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), popularly known as JAMB.

The remarkable score made Kingsley the second-highest scoring candidate in Nigeria this year, earning him praise from his school, family, and well-wishers.

To honour his achievement, NTIC organised a special recognition ceremony attended by teachers, students, school officials, stakeholders, and members of Kingsley’s family. The event was held to celebrate his hard work and inspire other students to aim for excellence.

During the ceremony, school leaders described Kingsley as a dedicated and disciplined student whose success shows the importance of determination and consistent effort.
The Managing Director of NTIC, Dr. Fevzullah Bilgin, congratulated Kingsley on his achievement and encouraged students to always believe in themselves and work towards their goals.

According to him, NTIC is committed to providing a learning environment where students can develop their talents and reach their full potential. He added that the school believes in recognising excellence and encouraging young people to dream big.

Dr. Bilgin said Kingsley’s success reflects not only his intelligence and hard work but also the strong academic culture that the school has built over the years.

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The announcement was made by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Aliyu Paiko, during the matriculation ceremony held at the university’s main campus in Minna, Niger State.

Professor Paiko explained that the decision is in line with a directive from the Federal Ministry of Education and is aimed at promoting a safe and healthy learning environment for students.

He said the screening process includes general medical checks as well as tests for drug and substance use. According to him, students who test positive for certain health conditions will be placed under proper medical care, while those identified with substance abuse issues will receive counselling and be closely monitored for rehabilitation.

The vice chancellor stressed that the exercise is not meant to punish students but to support their well-being and guide them towards healthier choices that will help them succeed academically and in life.

He added that similar screening was carried out in the previous academic session, noting that less than one percent of students were affected and successfully treated or supported.

Professor Paiko used the occasion to urge the new students to remain focused on their studies, avoid negative influences, and stay away from social vices that could affect their future.

He also assured the students that their welfare remains a top priority for the university management. According to him, AKUM is committed to training students not only in academics but also in skills that will make them self-reliant and capable of becoming job creators after graduation.

The vice chancellor further described AKUM as one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, noting that it continues to expand its academic programmes and facilities to meet rising student demand.

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According to officials, over 31,000 girls took part in the examination compared to about 26,000 boys, marking a notable shift in participation trends.

The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Abuja after monitoring the examination alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad.

He said the development reflects steady progress in efforts to promote girl-child education across the country.

Prof. Wushishi noted that sustained advocacy by the Federal Ministry of Education is beginning to yield positive results, as more girls continue to show strong participation in national academic examinations.

“I think this reflects the efforts of the ministry in promoting girl-child education and shows that positive results are being achieved in that regard,” he said.

He also revealed that although participation was high, the total number of candidates recorded a slight decline compared to 64,578 candidates who sat for the examination in 2025.

Despite this, he described the conduct of the examination as smooth and successful across the country, with reports indicating minimal challenges.

The NECO boss commended the organisation of the exercise and expressed satisfaction that pupils were able to sit for the examination without major disruptions.

The National Common Entrance Examination remains the gateway for admission into Federal Government Colleges in Nigeria, which are known for their competitive academic standards and diverse student population.

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In a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Public Relations Officer, Inya Agha Egwu, the university dismissed the claims, saying there is no credible intelligence or verified security threat against the institution.

The statement stressed that the information circulating online is unverified and should not be regarded as true.

“The University wishes to state that there is no credible security intelligence or verified threat to the University of Nigeria that supports the claims contained in the post. The information being circulated is therefore unsubstantiated and should not be regarded as factual,” the statement read.

Despite the absence of any confirmed threat, the university said it had taken additional precautionary steps to further strengthen security across its Nsukka campus.

According to the management, these measures include the deployment of personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army to strategic entry points, working alongside the university’s internal security team.

It also announced that some access gates to the campus would be temporarily closed to improve monitoring and control of movement in and out of the institution.

The university further disclosed that motorcycle operations within the campus have been suspended with immediate effect as part of the tightened security arrangements.

“Consequently, no motorcycle will be permitted beyond the University gates except those belonging to authorised security personnel. Staff who commute to work on motorcycles are advised to park them at designated locations outside the campus perimeter before proceeding to their offices,” the statement added.

The management urged members of the university community to remain calm and continue their academic and administrative activities without fear.

It also appealed to students, staff, parents, guardians, and members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing panic or disrupting normal activities.

While reiterating that there is no confirmed threat to the institution, the university encouraged everyone on campus to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement or activity to security authorities.

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