IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The Federal Government has published the full list of 26 trade areas approved under its revised technical-education curriculum. A statement signed on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Bon Folasade, said the revised curriculum will convert all Federal Science and Technical Colleges to Federal Technical Colleges from the 2025/2026 academic year.

Announced by Education Minister Dr. Maruf Alausa and Minister of State Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, the overhaul requires each college to offer a minimum of six and a maximum of ten trade courses. Students are expected to offer between nine and ten subjects (one core trade, five to six general subjects, two to three trade-related subjects, and one elective).

The ministry said the streamlining and modernisation of these trades responds to current industry demand across construction, energy, agriculture, automotive, creative media, and digital services sectors.

“The reform is designed to reduce overload, build strong trade competencies, align with global standards, and prepare young Nigerians for the jobs of the future,” the statement read. The reform also introduces Citizenship and Heritage Studies alongside core science and language subjects.

Below is the full list of the 26 approved trades:

1. Brick laying, block laying and concreting

2. Woodwork, carpentry and joinery

3. Plumbing and pipe fitting

4. Computer hardware & GSM repair and maintenance

5. Refrigeration & air-conditioning works

6. Mechanised agriculture (mechanisation / smart agriculture)

7. Autobody works

8. Catering craft practice

9. Solar PV installation and maintenance

10. Fashion design and garment making

11. Livestock farming/animal husbandry

12. Fish farming (aquaculture)

13. Motorcycle & tricycle repairs

14. Painting, decoration and finishes (interior design)

15. Welding & fabrication

16. Auto-electrical wiring

17. Automobile mechanics

18. Beauty therapy & cosmetology

19. Creative media (digital media production/operations)

20. Electronic systems maintenance craft

21. Furniture making & upholstery

22. Networking & system security (including satellite TV antenna installation and maintenance)

23. Social media content creation and management

24. Tiling & cladding (tiling and decorative stonework / floor-cover installation)

25. Automobile CNG conversion and maintenance

26. Leather works 

From 2026, Danish high school students will be allowed to use AI tools to prepare for the oral component of their English exams, the education ministry announced. 

The pilot scheme aims to balance digital learning with academic standards, while parts of the written exam will remain handwritten to curb overreliance on technology. 

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has threatened a nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands after a 21-day ultimatum.

Zonal Coordinator, Innocent Simji, said the move followed unresolved issues, including unpaid salary arrears, non-release of allowances, stalled agreement renegotiations, poor infrastructure funding, and continued discrimination against HND holders.

He warned that members across public polytechnics and monotechnics would withdraw services if the government fails to act. 

The Abia State government has dismissed claims that it spent ₦7bn on Smart Schools, calling the reports false. Special Adviser on Education, Kenechukwu Nwosu, clarified that a July 12 contract for 20 Green Smart Schools costs less than ₦7bn, with School Road Primary School, Umuahia, as the pilot. 

He said phase one is completed, while phase two is delayed by drainage works. The schools will feature renewable energy, smart boards, digital tablets, CCTV, and AI-driven learning. 

An erudite technocrat and Executive Director of Fidelity Bank, Sir Stanley Amuchie, has stated that the School can thrive when its alumni network strongly, make massive financial contributions and collectively execute developmental projects on the Campus.

Hence, he urged IMSU alumni to be committed and work strongly on one page in order to lift their alma mater, thereby improving academics and moral excellence.

Amuchie stated this while presenting a Keynote Address titled "Reunion, Renewal And The Power Of Giving Back", organized by Imo State University Alumni Association (IMSUAA), held at the University's Auditorium, on Friday.

He underscored that the state government alone cannot build the school to a glorifying status, explaining that there are multiple effects when alumni gave back to their alma mater.

"When alumni invest in their alma mater, the returns multiply exponentially. Harvard's example is instructive - 77% of donations were less than $250, yet collectively they create transformative impact. Every contribution matters", Amuchie said.

Amuchie emphasized that when IMSU alumni network corldinates very strongly they would be able to make collective or individual impact that would grow their alma mater and hence advance teaching and learning; hinting that "global universities thrive on strong alumni networks. More than 30000 College alumni give to Harvard University each year, supporting everything from financial aid to research facilities".

He told the alumni to adopt the Princeton University, Harvard University, Oxford University and the Cambridge models with Law alumni renovating the law library, the Engineering graduates equipping workshops, Medical alumni upgrading laboratory facilities, among others.

Being a proud Imo son, the seasoned banker and Executive Director, harped critically on the alumni mentoring the students, reflecting that "infrastructure needs updating, research facilities require modernization, our students deserve learning environment that match their ambitions".

"The gap between what you had and what current students need has widened as technology has transformed education globally, yet many of the classrooms remain frozen in time. This is where your collective responsibility begins, not to bemoan what is lacking, but to bridge the gap between current reality and future possibilities", he added.

He extended gratitude to the University for the sacrifices the put through in impacting academic knowledge and skills to the younger generation and all those who seek knowledge; promising to intensify contributions to add to the growth of the University through impact driven alumni partnership.

"But today is not just about nostalgia. It is about reconnecting with your roots while planting measurable seeds for the future. It is about understanding that your success stories remain incomplete until you help write new chapters for those who come after you", Amuchie said.

Hailing the alumnus for the insightful Keynote Address and the selfless donation of the sanitation items to IMSU, IMSUAA President General, Dr. Charles Nwosu, disclosed that Operation Keep IMSU Clean 2025, is not just only to maintain neatness, but to nurture a culture of excellence, responsibility and pride.

The highlight of the event was the official handover of 8 pieces of Lawnmower Machine, 24 pieces of Bin, 12 Rolls of Extra Thick Disposal Bags donated to the university by Sir Stanley Amuchie to facilitate Operation Keep IMSU Clean Project initiated by IMSUAA. 

Welcome Note from the Imo State Chapter of the Imo State University Alumni Association

On behalf of the Imo State Chapter of the Imo State University Alumni Association, it is with great joy, pride, and heartfelt gratitude that we warmly welcome all distinguished alumni from across Nigeria and the globe to our 2025 Homecoming, Convention, and Annual General Meeting (AGM), holding from the 14th to the 17th of August, 2025. This year’s gathering is not just an event—it is a celebration of our shared history, our enduring friendships, and our collective achievements as products of the great Imo State University.

The Homecoming is a time-honored tradition that rekindles the spirit of unity, love, and belonging among graduates of our beloved institution. It is a moment to reflect on our formative years, to appreciate how far we have come, and to reaffirm our commitment to supporting the growth and legacy of our Alma Mater. From the bustling campus life of our student days to our diverse accomplishments in various walks of life, we remain bound by the same values that shaped us—integrity, service, and excellence.

This year’s convention promises an engaging, enlightening, and memorable experience. It will feature keynote addresses from accomplished alumni, interactive panel sessions, networking opportunities, and celebrations that will strengthen our bonds. The AGM will give us the platform to deliberate on critical issues affecting our association, review our progress, and chart a clear course for future projects that will benefit our members, the University, and the wider society.

The theme for this year reflects our vision to build a stronger alumni network that actively contributes to societal development while fostering mutual growth among members. We believe that our collective talents, resources, and influence can create meaningful change not only for our Alma Mater but also for the communities we serve. Together, we can support scholarships, mentorship programs, infrastructure development, and initiatives that promote excellence at Imo State University.

As hosts, the Imo State Chapter is honored to welcome you home to Owerri, the Heartland City known for its hospitality, vibrance, and cultural warmth. Over the four days, we encourage you to immerse yourself in the planned activities, reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and take pride in being part of a global family united by the blue and white spirit of our University.

We are confident that this gathering will inspire renewed commitment, spark innovative ideas, and leave lasting memories. Let us embrace this opportunity to celebrate our identity, share our successes, and reaffirm our pledge to uphold the values of our great Alma Mater.

Once again, welcome to the 2025 Homecoming, Convention, and AGM of the Imo State University Alumni Association. May this event strengthen our unity, deepen our pride, and propel us toward greater achievements together.

Long live the Imo State University Alumni Association! Long live Imo State University!

— Imo State Chapter, Imo State University Alumni Association. 

From 14th to 17th August 2025, the Imo State University Alumni Association (Mother Chapter) will host one of its most anticipated events – the Heartland 2025 Homecoming and AGM. This special edition promises to be a vibrant celebration of friendship, achievement, and the enduring spirit of our alma mater.

Heartland 2025 will reunite graduates from across generations and professions, providing a platform to reconnect, network, and strengthen the bonds that make IMSU truly unique. Across the four days, attendees will enjoy a rich lineup of activities including a formal opening ceremony, cultural showcases, networking sessions, sports competitions, alumni recognitions, and the Annual General Meeting where the future of our association will be shaped.

Beyond celebration, the Heartland 2025 is a call to action – to reflect on the impact IMSU has had on our lives and to reaffirm our commitment to contributing to its continued growth. Together, we will share stories, forge new collaborations, and inspire the next generation of graduates.

The Mother Chapter warmly invites all alumni to come home, relive cherished memories, and create new ones. Heartland 2025 is not just an event – it’s a homecoming of hearts.

The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has bestowed a Doctor of Science Honourary Degree on Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, the wife of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and others.

Wike and Tinubu received the award at the university’s 50th Anniversary and 35th Convocation on Saturday. The lecture topic for the day was ‘The Role of Universities in Nation Building’.

Other recipients of the Honourary Degree include: Aminu Masari (Chairman of TETFund), and Umaru Fintiri (Governor of Adamawa State).

The Federal Government has set 12 years as the new minimum age for admission into Junior Secondary School 1, following completion of six years of primary education. 

The directive, part of a new policy on non-state (private) schools, aims to align with the national education standard and ensure age-appropriate learning. 

The Federal Government will begin using private and public Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres for school-based NECO SSCE exams by 2026.

Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced this during the monitoring of NECO’s pilot CBT SSCE in Abuja, stating the shift will mirror JAMB’s exam model. He praised NECO’s readiness for full CBT transition and confirmed that all NECO and WAEC objective exams will go digital by November 2025, with full CBT adoption by 2026. 

The Ondo State Police have confirmed the assassination of Mr. Ezekiel Adeniran, Registrar of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), just six months after his appointment.

The 41-year-old's body was found in his Akure residence early Thursday. Police spokesperson Olayinka Ayanlade said the case is being treated as a targeted killing, with investigations underway to identify the culprits.

UNIMED management described the incident as shocking, noting that Adeniran was last seen at work on Monday.

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has donated ₦15 million to the Dental Students Association of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to support laboratory upgrades needed for accreditation.

Obi made the donation following a ₦40 million funding appeal from the association. He criticized Nigeria’s leadership for neglecting education and healthcare while prioritizing luxury projects, calling for greater investment in youth development.

The Samuel Olatunji Adebakin Foundation has donated ₦20 million to St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Agege, to enhance entrepreneurial education. The donation was announced during the school’s 2025 Founders’ Day, organized by the Global Alumni Association. 

Represented by Oluwajimi Adebakin, the founder emphasized the need for practical skills in schools. Alumni president Toyin Ukana-Bisiriyu praised the gesture, while Prof. Pius Adejoh delivered a lecture on the power of networking for success. 

The NYSC has raised concern over the growing rejection of corps members by assigned employers, warning it denies them vital work experience.

Director-General Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, represented at a workshop in Jos, cited poor welfare, late deployment requests, and inhumane treatment as key issues. He urged employers to offer supportive, inclusive work environments. 

Dr. Oluwatosin Adebayo, Provost of Harvarde College, says private institutions should benefit from TETFund for infrastructure rather than having their students access federal loans. 

He argued most students in private schools aren't from poor backgrounds. He also praised the approval for polytechnics to run ND in Law as a boost for technical education. 

The Borno State Government has paid ₦529.7 million to cover 2025 WASSCE fees for 26,158 final-year students in public schools. 

Commissioner for Education, Lawan Wakilbe, said the move reflects Governor Zulum’s commitment to inclusive education. Since 2019, the state has spent over ₦4.1 billion on exam fees for 165,442 students. WAEC praised the state’s efforts, noting improved access and reduced out-of-school children despite security challenges. 

The High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the murder of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Salome Adaidu.

Justice Simon Aboki, who delivered the verdict, found Ajayi guilty of killing and dismembering the victim.

Ajayi was convicted on a count of culpable homicide, an offence under Section 221 of the Penal Code applicable in Northern Nigeria, which carries the death penalty. 

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has denied extending the service year of Lagos corper Rita Uguamaye, known as Raye, over her viral video criticising President Tinubu and Nigeria’s economic hardship.

NYSC said any service extension decision would be based on official guidelines at the time of passing out. Activist Omoyele Sowore had claimed her service was extended punitively and threatened to protest. NYSC dismissed the claims, saying Uguamaye is still serving and no such extension had been confirmed. 

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has announced plans to recruit 4,000 additional teachers, bringing the total to 9,394, to meet rising enrollment following the introduction of free, compulsory education. 

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has stated that a total of approximately ₦1.024 trillion in revenue accrued to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) from education tax over a five-year period. 

The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, stated this on Monday in Abuja at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between NEITI and TETFund, according to a statement by NEITI’s Deputy Director of Communication and Stakeholder Management, Chris Ochonu. Referencing the NEITI industry reports on the Nigerian extractive sector, Orji noted that the MoU focused on information and data sharing, ensuring that NEITI’s verified data would inform TETFund’s strategic planning, revenue forecasting, and accountability framework.

“Under the MoU, NEITI will work with TETFund to ensure timely and prompt remittances through early deployment of evidence-based data. NEITI will also provide real-time information on revenue accruals due to TETFund to guarantee transparency and support the Fund in tracking remittances and utilisation. Our joint effort will uplift educational institutions, enhance access to scholarships, and strengthen the research ecosystem across our public tertiary institutions.”

Orji further emphasised that NEITI’s role will be to continuously support TETFund with timely, credible, and independently validated data on revenue accruals from the extractive sector. The support would enhance TETFund’s capacity to track what was due, what had been paid, and what was yet to be remitted, thereby promoting accountability and enabling proactive financial planning in the education sector, Orji said. On the accruals to TETFund from education taxes in the extractive sector, a breakdown of the revenues from the NEITI’s industry audit reports showed that, in 2022, the total revenue accruals to TETFund stood at ₦322.99 billion.

In 2023, the figure rose significantly to ₦571.01 billion, the highest annual inflow to date. Between 2019 and 2021, NEITI audit data showed that total accruals to TETFund amounted to ₦644.19 billion, of which ₦624.32 billion was disbursed. These disbursements underscored the pivotal role of the extractive sector in financing Nigeria’s tertiary education. “Today’s MoU connects the source and the application of public revenues. NEITI tracks and verifies what is paid. TETFund ensures that what is received is invested for impact. Together, we are creating a value chain of accountability—from extraction to education,” the Executive Secretary maintained.

The Executive Secretary stressed that over ₦1.024 trillion accrued to TETFund in just five years must be fully accounted for, efficiently deployed, and transparently tracked. He added that the fund must translate to modern libraries, functional laboratories, revitalised lecture halls, and cutting-edge research that meets the challenges of the 21st century.