News
EU, UNESCO Launch2nd Phase of Teachers’ Education Programme in Six States

EU, UNESCO Launch2nd Phase of Teachers’ Education Programme in Six States
By: Michael Mike
The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) have launched the second phase of its education programme – “Expand, Integrate and Strengthen Systems (EISS),” to build the capacity of teachers in Nigeria.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Samuela Isopi who spoke at the launch of the Programme in Abuja, explained that the second phase of the programme which focuses on teachers, complements the first phase, Education and Youth Empowerment in North Western Nigeria, launched in 2023.
According to Isopi, the funding for both phases amounts to €45.4 million, under the Global Gateway Strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors. It will also strengthen health, education and research systems across the world.
Isopi, who was represented by EU’s head of human development, Leila Ben Amor Mathieu, disclosed that the EU under EISS would partner with six training colleges in Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Katsina, Plateau and Oyo.
According to her, the beneficiary states are expected to in turn reach out to a wider pool of teachers.
She said: “Why focus on teachers? Because teachers are the bedrock of education. They are the ones who inspire, nurture, and guide our future generations
“Investing in teachers is investing in our collective future. All over the world they play an essential role in shaping the minds and hearts of the next generation.
“However, in many countries, and in Nigeria in particular, teachers face numerous challenges, ranging from insufficient resources to the pressures of adapting to rapidly changing educational environments.
“Recognizing these challenges, the European Union has identified with the government the critical need to support Nigerian teachers in their professional development and personal resilience.
“By empowering teachers, we are not only enhancing the quality of education but also ensuring that students receive the guidance and support they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.
“Specifically, the initiative will fund the development and review of education policies and career paths for the teaching profession in Nigeria; It will also ensure that teachers’ capacity and resilience are enhanced through pre-service and in-service teachers education programmes as well as strengthen teacher-student collaboration and learning teams at school and community levels.
“This programme’s implementation is entrusted to our partner, UNESCO.”
UN Resident Coordinator, Mohammed Fall while commending Nigeria’s effort to meet up with SDG goals, however lamented the high number of inadequate trained teachers in schools.
He noted that: “A 2021 report by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, states that Sub-Saharan Africa faces the biggest challenge, with the lowest percentages of trained teachers in pre-primary (57%), primary (67%) and secondary education (61%) among all regions.”
He said: “The UNESCO Global report on Teachers 2023, notes that teacher attrition is a global concern: between 2015 and 2022, attrition rates of primary education teachers doubled around the world from 4.6 to 9 per cent.
“Regardless of the country’s income level, and even remuneration, teachers are leaving the profession within the first five years of practice. We must halt this worrisome trend.”
Speaking at the occasion, the Head of Abuja Office and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Representative to Nigeria, Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo noted that the 2021 Education Sector Analysis by the Federal Government of Nigeria in collaboration with UNESCO IIEP, which assessed the status of education in the country and in Oyo, Adamawa, and Katsina states, reported that at least 20% of teachers in public basic education schools are not qualified to teach, and this number is nearly double in private schools.
He added that based on the 2018 Annual School Census, the report adds that out of the 64,000 teachers in public ECCDEs, about 16,000 (25%) do not have any professional training in education, making them unqualified to teach. Two-thirds of teachers possess the NCE qualification which is the minimum requirement at this level. Teachers in public primary schools have a similar profile with about 24% having no professional training in education, and 6 in 10 holding the NCE. In private schools, the share of untrained teachers is higher compared to public schools. More than half of teachers in private ECCDE (54%) have no professional training in education. In junior secondary, 35% of the teachers have no professional training at all, while 26% are underqualified.
He said that this project is therefore timely as it seeks to address early and frequent loss of skilled teachers to more lucrative professions due to opaque teacher recruitment and deployment policies, by strengthening Government capacities to assess teaching needs and developing strong, evidence-based policies in relation to teacher recruitment, deployment, management, and professional development.
He revealed that the specific objectives of the project are: To review, strengthen and implement education policies and programmes by addressing teacher shortage and work conditions; reinforce and support individual teacher capacities (in-service and pre-service) by developing an expanded teacher education programme with a focus on resilience in fragile context; and build better teacher connections to their students and colleagues in the communities.
On his part, the Minister of Education, Prof. Mamman Tahir, maintained that teachers
represents a significant milestone in the collective efforts to transform the educational landscape in Nigeria.
Represented by the Director Basic Education, Dr. Folake Olatunji-David, he commended the funding support from the EU, the technical support of UNESCO as well as the commitment of all the state governments involved in the programme.
“We all know that education is a cornerstone of national development and it is only through a well structured and resilient education system that we can achieve the sustainable goal.”
The minister who noted that the project was aimed at improving student attainment and the contribute to Nigeria’s human development through an increase in the number of qualified and resilient teachers, added that the project will help in addressing the challenges confronting teachers in the country.
“We understand the challenges our teachers face, especially in fragile and demanding environments, such as ours. This project will provide them with the tools and support they need to excel.
“By strengthening our teachers and the teachers education programmes and implementing robust teacher policies, we can ensure that our teachers are well prepared, they are adequately recruited, deployed and managed.”
While assuring the EU of the Nigerian government’s commitment to ensuring every child has access to quality education, the minister added that the six states benefitting from the programme will create models of excellence that can be replicated across the country.
EU, UNESCO Launch2nd Phase of Teachers’ Education Programme in Six States
News
Immigration Comptroller General Advises Personnel on Excellent Service to Clients

Immigration Comptroller General Advises Personnel on Excellent Service to Clients
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has charged personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to continue to offer excellent services to its clients, declaring that efficient customer service is a right and not a privilege.
Comptroller General of the Immigration Service (CGIS), Kemi Nandap, gave the charge in Abuja when she declared open the 2025 SERVICOM Customer Service Week.

She assured that the Service is on an irreversible path of reform, modernization and improved transparency in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The CGIS noted that the week-long event, themed “Mission Possible” with the NIS sub-theme “Meeting and Exceeding Expectations”, was an opportunity for officers to recommit themselves to the principles of courtesy, timeliness and citizens-centered service delivery.
She said: “The Nigeria Immigration Service must not only meet expectations but exceed them. Every passport issued, every permit processed, every encounter at our borders is a test of our professionalism and integrity. We must continue to build public trust and prove that we are a Service that delivers”, the CGIS declared.
She noted that on assuming office in 2024, she raised concerns over negative practices that dented the Service’s image and challenged officers to “go back to the drawing board.”
Nandap said that directive resulted in far-reaching reforms, including the passport automation and contactless processing system, designed to minimize physical interaction and eliminate bottlenecks.
She highlighted that: “Others are the deployment of e-gates and body cameras at airports, enhancing border security while promoting transparency; Intensified sensitization campaigns across formations to combat corruption and entrench professionalism.
“These reforms are already paying off,” she noted, citing improved national ratings, commendations and awards recently received by the NIS at government performance review retreats.
Nandap however urged NIS personnel nationwide to use the 2025 Customer Service Week as an opportunity to recommit themselves to exceeding public expectations, charging officers to uphold the Service’s reputation at all times.
She added that: “This celebration is not for fanfare. It is a solemn call to renew our pledge of service and to institutionalize transparency, courtesy and excellence as our standard culture.”
Earlier, Special Assistant to the CGIS on SERVICOM and Reform Champion, Barr. Muhammad Awwal Abubakar, a deputy comptroller of immigration, described the Customer Service Week as “a call to reflection, action and renewal.”
He emphasized that the global theme “Mission Possible” challenges public institutions to see obstacles as opportunities for innovation rather than excuses for inefficiency.
“Customer service is not a privilege given by government institutions but a right owed to the people. Our duty is to ensure that every interaction with the NIS leaves citizens and travelers with confidence in our integrity and efficiency”, Abubakar said.
The 2025 NIS SERVICOM Customer Service Week will feature activities across commands and formations nationwide, highlighting innovation, best practices and the Service’s ongoing transformation agenda.
Immigration Comptroller General Advises Personnel on Excellent Service to Clients
Crime
Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
A herdsman has been killed and 36 cows shot dead by unknown assailants in a fresh attack at Ndinn village, Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Zagazola Makama report that the incident, which occurred on Monday evening, is the latest undocumented violent attacks that have continued to claim lives and property in parts of the state.

Witnesses said the attackers ambushed the herder, identified as Abubakar Alhaji Woda, while he was grazing his cattle, and shot him dead before opening fire on his herd, killing 36 cows on the spot.
Residents described the attack as unprovoked and expressed concern over the growing wave of insecurity in rural parts of Barkin Ladi and neighbouring local government areas.
They lamented that despite several similar attacks in recent weeks, no arrests have been made, and the perpetrators continue to operate with impunity.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the FUYODA Riyom chapter coordinator, Muhammad Saidu, described the attack as “a heartbreaking reminder of the persistent insecurity and injustice faced by peaceful Fulani communities in Plateau.”
“We strongly condemn this act of violence and call on the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is served,” Saidu said.
He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and called on the government to take decisive steps to restore confidence among pastoral communities who continue to suffer silent losses in the ongoing communal crisis.
“May Almighty Allah grant Abubakar Alhaji Woda Jannatul Firdaus, forgive his shortcomings, and comfort his family with patience and strength during this difficult time,” he added.
However, as of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Plateau State Government or security agencies regarding the attack.

Zagazola report that the recurring cycle of violence in Plateau State has often been reported only from the angle of reprisals, while several attacks on herders go undocumented or receive limited attention.
Community leaders have called on security operatives to fish out the perpetrators and ensure justice is served to prevent further escalation of hostilities in the area.
Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau
News
Fact-finding committee says all ethnic groups involved in Plateau crisis

Fact-finding committee says all ethnic groups involved in Plateau crisis
By: Zagazola Makama
Maj.-Gen. Rogers Ibe Nicholas (rtd), Chairman of the Fact-Finding Committee on Insecurity in Plateau State, says the crisis in the state involves both indigenes and non-indigenes across all ethnic and religious divides.
Nicholas, a former Commander of Operation Safe Haven, made this known while reacting to reports that the committee’s findings had indicted Fulani herdsmen as the aggressors in the prolonged conflict.
He clarified that the committee’s report, submitted last month to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, did not attribute blame to any single ethnic group, stressing that the violence in Plateau was a multi-dimensional problem involving various communities.
“The committee was set up by the state government to make findings and recommendations, which have been submitted to the government. The document is still classified until a white paper is issued,” Nicholas said.
He explained that during the committee’s engagements with community leaders across the state, it became evident that all sides had suffered and contributed to the cycle of violence.
“I think people need to be corrected based on the statement that Fulani are the ones causing the problem. The report did not say that,” he stated.
“While we are clear, everybody — all the ethnic groups in Plateau — are in one way or another involved in the crisis. In some areas, fingers have been pointed at particular groups, but our findings show that every community has played a part,” Nicholas added.
He further noted that many of the attacks in the state were reprisals triggered by earlier assaults, which often led to further bloodshed and destruction of property.
Nicholas maintained that the committee’s recommendations, once made public, would help guide the government in addressing the root causes of the conflict and fostering lasting peace in the state.
Fact-finding committee says all ethnic groups involved in Plateau crisis
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