Education
NBTE Urges Students To Adopt Reading Culture
Nationwide polytechnic students have been exhorted to cultivate and embrace a reading culture by the National Board for Technical Education.
According to NBTE, reading will prepare students for significant contributions to society once they graduate from their various universities.
At the conclusion of its resource inspection visit to Nacabs Polytechnic in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, on Thursday, the NBTE Director of Polytechnic Programs, Arch. Ngede Ogoh, gave the order for the institution’s Higher National Diploma Programs to be accredited.
Ogoh, who led other team members to the institution, said reading culture amongst students of institutions was important to national development because ‘readers are future leaders’.
While assuring the management and staff of Nacabs Polytechnic of the continuous support of the NBTE, Ogoh, who was represented by Amina Sa’id, thanked the founder of the institution, David Abuluya, for his efforts towards providing quality education to many Nigerians in the institution.
“I can assure you that Nacabs Polytechnic, Akwanga has the full support of the NBTE. We will uplift the school considering the importance of education to human and societal development,” he added.
The polytechnic’s founder, Abuluya, said the programmes to be accredited include Accounting, Business Administration, Statistics, and Computer Science.
“I want to express my gratitude to the NBTE for the successful resource inspection for the accreditation of four HND programmes. You have done an excellent job and I want to assure you that I will not rest in providing quality education to students of this institution,” he said.
Education
Maida, Inuwa, Adeyanju, Alakija, Others To Speak At AfriTECH 4.0
The organizers of Africa Tech Alliance Forum [AfriTECH 4.0] have announced the distinguished lineup of speakers for this year’s Forum themed: “Leapfrogging Digital Transformation for Future of Africa’s Economy”.
Scheduled to hold on Thursday, November 07, 2024 at Oriental Hotels, Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria, AfriTECH 4.0 [https://africatechallianceforum.africa/] will bring together leading voices in technology, telecommunications, ecommerce, software, finance, emerging technologies and government to explore key innovations and challenges shaping Africa’s digital transformation.
AfriTECH has become one of Africa’s most anticipated technology events, and the 2024 edition will feature a stellar lineup of industry experts, innovators, and policymakers who will provide insights into how emerging technologies are propelling Africa’s digital economy.
Special Guests:
Dr. Aminu Maida, a distinguished leader in telecommunications and digital transformation, serves as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
With over two decades of experience in the ICT sector, Maida has become a pivotal figure in driving Nigeria’s digital economy, overseeing regulatory frameworks and initiatives that foster innovation, investment, and inclusivity in Nigeria’s telecom industry.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, is a transformative leader in Nigeria’s technology landscape, currently serving as the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Under his guidance, NITDA has driven impactful initiatives supporting Nigeria’s digital economy, fostering innovation, digital skills development, and creating an enabling environment for tech startups and entrepreneurship.
He will deliver the keynote address at AfriTECH 4.0.
Professor Ibrahim Adepoju Adeyanju is the CEO of Galaxy Backbone, a key government-owned technology and digital infrastructure company. Under his leadership, Galaxy Backbone focuses on strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem by providing secure and innovative ICT infrastructure to government agencies and businesses, supporting national development and e-governance initiatives.
Biram Fall, the Regional Managing Director, QNET, a leading e-commerce-based direct selling company.
In his role, Mr. Fall oversees QNET’s operations and growth strategies across several markets, focusing on enhancing regional reach and ensuring the company aligns with local business needs.
Known for his expertise in direct-selling and his commitment to sustainable business practices, Fall has been instrumental in expanding QNET’s footprint in Africa and other emerging markets.
Ebehijie Momoh is a renowned financial services leader with over 20 years of experience in banking and payment technology, currently serving as CEO of AfrigoPay Financial Services Limited, where she leads the company’s mission to provide innovative payment solutions across Africa.
With a background in financial services and a deep understanding of digital payments, Momoh brings extensive experience to her role, focusing on transforming the financial landscape through accessible, secure, and efficient payment systems.
Her leadership emphasizes financial inclusion, driving AfrigoPay’s efforts to reach underserved communities and promote economic empowerment across the continent.
Dr. Muhammed Sirajo Aliyu is a visionary leader in Nigeria’s information technology sector. He is the incumbent President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), the foremost association of IT professionals in Nigeria.
With an extensive background in computer science, IT governance, and digital innovation, Dr. Aliyu brings over 25 years of experience to his role, where he champions the advancement of technology and professional development within Nigeria’s IT ecosystem.
Dr. Temitope Alakija, a renowned academic and statistician, is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Statistics at Yaba College of Technology [Yabatech] Lagos. With a deep expertise in data science, statistical analysis, and quantitative research, Dr. Alakija is dedicated to advancing the field of statistics and training future leaders in data-driven decision-making.
Holding a PhD in statistics and with numerous publications, Dr. Alakija’s research contributions have significantly influenced both academia and industry, particularly within Africa. Her commitment to academic excellence and her role in fostering a data-literate society make her a highly respected figure in the statistical community.
Adesola Akinsanya – President, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA). Akinsanya brings decades of expertise to his role, where he advocates for technological innovation, professional growth, and policy advancement in Nigeria’s IT landscape..
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON). Engr. Adebayo is a prominent figure in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, with over 25 years of experience in telecom and ICT. He is known for his advocacy for industry development, regulatory reform, and the provision of accessible telecommunications services across Nigeria.
Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere – President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON). With an extensive background in telecom management, digital strategy, and regulatory advocacy, Emoekpere is dedicated to advancing Nigeria’s telecom industry and fostering an environment that promotes innovation, investment, and inclusivity.
Key Speakers for AfriTECH 4.0:
Engineer Ikechukwu Nnamani – CEO, Digital Realty (Nigeria). In his keynote presentation at AfriTECH 4.0, Engr. Nnamani is expected to share his expertise on building resilient telecommunications infrastructure to support Africa’s digital future.
For over 16 years under his leadership the Digital Realty datacenter in Lagos is rated the most interconnected facility in the West African sub-region being the number 1 peering point for the region and boosting all submarine cables in the region, long distance providers, metro fiber providers, mobile services providers, fixed services providers, OTT providers, Internet Exchange, VAS providers, and global Tier1 service providers, amongst others.
Other outstanding personalities confirmed as speakers include – Dr. Obadare Peter Adewale, Chief Visionary Officer, Digital Encode Limited; Mr. Emmanuel Amos, Founder – Programos Foundation/InnovationBed Africa; Chukwuebuka Ume-Ezeoke, Chief Technology Officer at CED Technologies; Dr. Oluseyi Akindeinde, Founder, Hyperspace Technologies; Happiness Obioha, Managing Director, Tecom Concepts Limited; Chukwuemeka Mbaebie, Convener, Lagos Blockchain Week; Akeem Ajisafe, Managing Director, Transblue Limited; Chika Nwosu, Managing Director, PalmPay; Jude Ozinegbe, Founder/Convener at Cyberchain; Mohammed Rudman, CEO, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria [IXPN]; Dr. Ayotunde Coker, CEO Open Access Data Centres (OADC); Kehinde Ogundare, country manager, ZOHO [Nigeria]; Ayodeji Ogunmola, Director, Products Management at Northsnow Ltd; Oluwakayode Durodola, founder, Otuntech Limited; Lovelyn Okafor, Country Head, Nigeria at Newmark; Olaniyi Ibraheem, Business Development Manager (Africa) at UBankConnect; Adedamola Bowale, Co-founder & Technical Lead at Avancee Pinnacle, and Moniade Adeniyi, Product Innovation & Business Growth Strategist, Northsnow Ltd.
Meanwhile, innovationbed Africa is set to host “Startup Showcase” at AfriTECH, a session dedicating to startup finalists for this year’s United Nations World Summit Awards. Discussants include – David-Bobola Ojoawo, the Producer for Compas.AI; Stephen Adeyemo of Expertplug; Siro Collins, CEO of Advanced Engineering Center (AEC), WSA Winner 2023; Elijah Moses, Producer for VerionX; Rasheed Aliu Producer for LOOPBOX; Musami Umar Musam, founder of RollMal; David Ezeonyekwere, the founder of CheapMarketDeal, and Sule Wisdom David, the founder of CyclexAfrica.
QNET is the gold sponsor of AfriTECH 40. Silver Sponsors – Galaxy Backbone, Digital Realty, Digital Encode Ltd. Bronze Sponsors – CED Technologies, AfriGoPay, Tecom, Northsnow UK, Hyperspace Technologies, Palmpay, OADC.
Ecosystem Partners: NCC, NITDA,, InnovationBed Africa, ALTON, ATCON, NCS, IXPN, NiRA, Lagos Blockchain Week, Newmark Group, all are supporting AfriTECH 4.0.
Media Partners include; Techeconomy, NigeriaCommunicationsWeek, ITPulse, Ravenews, TechTrends.Africa, TechBuild.Africa, GrassRoots, DigiVation Network, TechLifewithUgo, BusinessMetrics, BusinessRemarks, SwiftReporters, TechTV, Africa Hyperscalers Media, CyberEra, ITRealms, DigitalTimes, TechnologyMirror, TechandBizNews, ITNewsNigeria.
“AfriTECH 4.0 will also feature interactive panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions that will explore other critical topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, fintech, smart cities, and sustainable innovation”, said Chike Onwuegbuchi, co-convener of AfriTECH. “We are grateful to the sponsors and partners”.
“Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers, as well as network with other industry leaders, innovators, and investors”, he added.
Participation
Participation is free, but you are required to pre-register: https://bit.ly/3ZPdi88
Education
Covenant University Dominates Nigerian Higher Education In THE 2025 Rankings [Full List]
Covenant University (CU) has once again emerged as Nigeria’s top university in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2025 Rankings, reinforcing its position as a leader in the nation’s academic landscape.
This is the second consecutive year that Covenant University has claimed the top spot.
In a significant shift in the 2025 rankings, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, secured second place, overtaking the University of Ibadan, which held the position in the 2024 rankings.
Read Also:How Nigeria Can Become A Net Exporter Of Petroleum Products – Dangote
Other Nigerian institutions in the top five include Landmark University, University of Ibadan, and University of Lagos.
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, an annual publication, is one of the most comprehensive assessments of global higher education institutions.
For the 2025 rankings, more than 2,000 universities from 115 countries and territories were evaluated.
The ranking system uses 18 performance indicators to measure universities’ achievements across five core areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.
Globally, the University of Oxford maintained its dominant position for the ninth year in a row, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which rose to second place.
Harvard, Princeton, and the University of Cambridge rounded out the top five.
Stanford University, which had previously held the second position, dropped to sixth place this year.
Top 10 Universities Globally in 2025:
1. University of Oxford
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
3. Harvard University
4. Princeton University
5. University of Cambridge
6. Stanford University
7. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
8. University of California, Berkeley
9. Imperial College London
10. Yale University
Top 22 Universities in Nigeria for 2025:
1. Covenant University
2. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
3. Landmark University
4. University of Ibadan
5. University of Lagos
6. Bayero University
7. Federal University of Technology, Akure
8. Federal University of Technology, Minna
9. University of Benin
10. University of Ilorin
11. University of Nigeria, Nsukka
12. Ekiti State University
13. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
14. Federal University of Technology, Owerri
15. Federal University of Oye-Ekiti
16. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology
17. Lagos State University
18. Nnamdi Azikiwe University
19. Obafemi Awolowo University
20. University of Port Harcourt
21. Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
22. Abia State University
Covenant University’s consistent performance highlights its growing reputation in teaching and research, further solidifying its role as a hub for academic excellence in Nigeria and Africa.
Education
JUST IN: NECO Releases 2024 SSCE Results
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the 2024 results for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
According to NECO, 60.55% of students achieved five credits, including English and Mathematics.
NECO’s Registrar, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, made the announcement at their headquarters in Minna, Niger State.
Read Also: BBNaija S9: Ben Threatens Legal Action Over Sexual Assault Allegation By Wanni
He stated that a total of 1,376,423 students registered for the exam, with 1,367,736 actually sitting for it. Of those, 828,284 students earned five credits, including the required subjects of English and Mathematics.
In addition, 1,147,597 candidates (83.90%) earned five credits in various subjects, regardless of their English or Mathematics scores. Special needs candidates totaled 2,267.
Wushishi also noted a significant decrease in exam malpractice this year. Cases dropped by 30.1%, with 8,437 students involved compared to 12,030 in 2023.
The top-performing states were Abia, Imo, and Ebonyi, while the lowest-performing states were Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Borno, and Zamfara.
NECO identified 40 schools in 17 states where mass cheating occurred.
The schools will face disciplinary measures, and one school in Ekiti State has been recommended for de-recognition for cheating in multiple subjects.
Additionally, 21 supervisors in 12 states have been recommended for blacklisting due to misconduct such as aiding malpractice, extortion, negligence, and other offenses during the exams.