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The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has urged state governments to meet the conditions required to access the World Bank-supported US$552 million HOPE Education Programme, saying stronger collaboration and reliable data are critical to improving education across the country.

Speaking at the five-day Executive Retreat of the Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education (COSCEN) in Abuja on Tuesday, Alausa said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed education at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda, but states will determine how much of the reforms are delivered.

He said the Federal Government is replacing assumption-based decision-making with evidence-driven planning through the National Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI) and the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System (DNEMIS).

According to him, the platforms will provide real-time data on school enrolment, teacher deployment, infrastructure and learning outcomes to support planning, budgeting and policy decisions.

Alausa urged all states to complete their Annual School Census on the digitised platform, commending Kaduna and Borno states for the progress made so far.

He also disclosed that digital dashboards and smart boards have been deployed with support from the National Bureau of Statistics.

On the HOPE Education Programme, the minister said all 36 states qualify for the US$552 million performance-based financing but many have yet to sign Subsidiary Loan Agreements, open designated accounts or meet data reporting requirements.

He urged commissioners to work with the Federal Ministry of Education and the World Bank to unlock the funds for improving access to education, learning outcomes and governance.

To sustain the reforms, Alausa proposed quarterly review meetings for state commissioners to promote peer learning and strengthen accountability.

Under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), he said the Federal Government is expanding access to affordable digital learning tools from Primary One to Senior Secondary School, while warning against investing in costly smart school projects without sustainable maintenance plans.

In a keynote presentation titled “Beyond the Tenure of Commissioners: Sustaining Education Reforms in the Era of Digital Disruption,” former Aviation Minister and Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, Mr. Osita Chidoka, urged commissioners to build reforms that outlive political administrations.

He said lasting improvements in education require policy continuity, dependable data, stronger teacher development, accountability and sustained investment in learning outcomes rather than short-term interventions.

Representing the World Bank Country Director, Mr. Matthew Verghis, the Senior Economist and Task Team Leader for the HOPE Education Programme, Mr. Shin Nomura, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s education reform agenda through the HOPE Education Programme.

He said the programme became effective in March 2026 and is designed to strengthen education governance, financing, teacher development, learning outcomes and data systems through a performance-based financing model.

Alausa Urges States To Meet Conditions For $552m HOPE Education Fund is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has approved medical support for a Nigeria Nollywood veteran actress Ngozi Nwosu as she continues to battle health challenges.

This intervention which was announced by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism and Entertainment, Dr. Justice Okechukwu Martins, popularly known as JMartins, expressed gratitude to the governor for responding swiftly to the actress’s situation.

According to Martins, Governor Otti’s approval covers the initial phase of Nwosu’s medical expenses but however stressed that additional financial assistance will still be required to ensure the veteran actress receives the comprehensive medical care she needs.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter),

JMartins wrote “His Excellency @alexottiofr have just stepped in on the health issues of our Nollywood legendary actress Mrs ngozi nwosu to approve the first part of our medical bills.

“While we sincerely appreciate His Excellency, we still appeal to kind hearted Nigerians to please support her in any way possible you can.

“On behalf of the creative industry, we all Thank you immensely My leader”.

He noted that the governor approved the payment of the first part of her medical bills as part of efforts to ease the burden of her ongoing treatment.

This intervention reaffirmed the Governor’s administration commitment to supporting notable Abians, including individuals who have made significant contributions to Nigeria’s creative and entertainment industry.

Ngozi Nwosu is one of Nigeria’s most respected Nollywood veterans, renowned for her remarkable performances in television and film over several decades. Her contributions have earned her admiration from audiences across the country.

Otti Approves Medical Support For Nollywood Actress Ngozi Nwosu is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

…warns Nigeria’s collateral-backed borrowing could complicate debt restructuring FORMER World Bank President David Malpass has said that repeated currency devaluations are deepening poverty in developing countries, as falling exchange rates drive up the cost of food, fuel and medicine while eroding the value of pay and pensions. He also warned that Nigeria’s growing reliance on […]

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CANAL+ Africa has paid tribute to the Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Group Rest of Africa, Fhulu Badugela, as she prepares to exit the company at the end of this month after more than two decades of service. The company, in a statement on Tuesday, described Badugela as one of its most respected leaders, noting […]

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AXXELA Limited, a leading gas and power company in sub-Saharan Africa, has onboarded new customers to its extensive natural gas pipeline network. These new connections span various sectors, including manufacturing, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), marking a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to enhance domestic gas utilisation and expand energy access across […]

The post Axxela expands gas distribution across critical domestic network appeared first on Tribune Online.

S&P Global has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Nigerian-based Agusto & Company Ltd., a leading Pan-African credit rating agency, in a move aimed at expanding its presence in Africa’s domestic debt markets and strengthening credit transparency across the continent. The transaction, announced on Tuesday, will combine S&P Global Ratings’ international expertise with Agusto […]

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In a powerful call for continental solidarity, the Group CEO of MTN, Ralph Mupita, has asserted that the future of the African continent depends on the dismantling of xenophobic barriers. Speaking at the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation (KMF) Winter Seminar on July 23, Mupita framed migration as a fundamental characteristic of the African identity, urging South […]

The post MTN CEO, Ralph Mupita, advocates for borderless Africa to drive economic growth appeared first on Tribune Online.

Nigerian entrepreneur, Chief Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, popularly known as IBD Dende, has been honoured as an Honorary Citizen of the State of Georgia, United States, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to entrepreneurship, philanthropy, economic development and community service. The honour was conferred during an official legislative session of the Georgia State Senate on July […]

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President Bola Tinubu has said his political opponents are “crying wolf” because they are not confident in their ability to beat him in the 2027 poll.

Tinubu, who expressed confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would conduct a credible election, said the electoral body had remained neutral and had not intimidated any political actor.

Tinubu spoke on Tuesday at the State House, Abuja, while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso.

Quoting him, “The opportunities are equal. INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone. If political opponents are crying wolf, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows and uncertainty in the companies they keep, not me.”

The meeting also focused on security, the economy, education, poverty and national unity.

Tinubu assured the bishops that the ongoing restructuring of security operations and institutions would strengthen the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

He said the security architecture was being repositioned through enhanced intelligence gathering, institutional reforms, improved logistics and better welfare for security personnel.

The president urged religious leaders to support government efforts by preaching against violence and encouraging peaceful coexistence.

“We don’t have another country but here – this Nigeria. And I will refer to the national anthem that in our complexity and diversity, we shall thrive, live, rejoice and be good to all, and humanity.

“I have just approved the expansion of the armed forces. We are getting more equipment, building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism. It should be part of your sermons. I won’t deviate from our national anthem,” he said.

On the economy, Tinubu said his administration had stabilised the country after inheriting serious fiscal challenges.

“I have listened to you carefully, and most importantly, your key areas are security and education. I can tell you categorically with sincerity that the country has been placed on a sound footing. The economy has recovered. The alarm for bankruptcy and dark tunnel of uncertainty that we had when I came in has been changed.

“The spirit of the people is lifting, and the economic turmoil that we feared is cleared. The economy has been delivered from bankruptcy.

“I always say, because of my background and profession, that I inherited the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. I have been running with it. This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving,” he stated.

He urged Nigerians to take advantage of opportunities in education, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition.

“We have no control over the population growth and trajectory. That is why you have membership in your various faiths, churches, to give hope to people and give commitment to humanity in the true sense of it. Our founding fathers did their best. They left us a nation, and we owe it to generations yet unborn to sustain it,” he added.

Tinubu said unity, stability and prosperity must remain the collective goal of all Nigerians.

He also pointed to the absence of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as evidence of improved stability in the education sector.

“To educate our children, I can say your children because you are revered fathers. You can’t say a four-year course in the university is not four years now. ASUU is not on strike. They are not bringing agony to our homes. Is that not an answer to our prayers? For me, that’s answered prayer,” he said.

On the return of mission schools, Tinubu said state governors had the constitutional authority to make such decisions.

“I returned all mission schools when I was the governor of Lagos State, and Cardinal Okogie, one of my best friends, is alive to testify to that,” he stated.

He added that his administration had approved more universities to expand access to higher education and support the implementation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

“I believe in what you believe; we should embrace education to get out of poverty,” he said.

Earlier, the CBCN President, Ndagoso, commended Tinubu for receiving the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, during the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.

Ndagoso, who is the Archbishop of Kaduna, raised concerns over insecurity, poverty, access to quality tertiary education, credible elections and the need to sustain Nigeria’s democratic gains.

He also appealed to the president to support the return of mission schools and ensure fair treatment of all worshippers across the country.

He called for free and fair elections in 2027, saying: “As a man who risked so much in the struggle for the return of democratic rule in the dark days of the military dictatorship, your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions.”

2027: My Opponents Crying Wolf, Afraid Of Their Shadows — Tinubu is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Federal Government has inaugurated an Interministerial Committee on the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural biosecurity system, boost non-oil exports, facilitate international trade, and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Inaugurating the Committee in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr […]

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