News
German Academic Exchange Service Opens in Accra for West Africa
German Academic Exchange Service Opens in Accra for West Africa
By: Michael Mike
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is expanding its international network in West Africa by opening a
regional office in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
According to a statement, the DAAD regional office in Accra, has recently started work. It was initially responsible for Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria, as it is
strengthening its network in an important region for Germany and Europe.
“By 2050, the share of African countries in the global population will rise to an
estimated 25 per cent. The number of students and doctoral candidates in
West Africa will also increase in the medium term. The universities and scientific institutions in Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria are already important partners for German universities and their importance will continue to grow. With the new regional office, we are strengthening these links in a region that is important for Germany and Europe.” explained DAAD President Prof.
Joybrato Mukherjee on site in Accra.
He added that: “As the DAAD, we are also deliberately expanding the network of German foreign science policy in West Africa, also with a view to the neighbouring Sahel zone and the associated challenging
geopolitical situation. Science diplomacy and the science cooperation area
are making resilient and important contributions to German security in these
crisis-ridden times. Science is a ‘hard currency’ in foreign and security policy,
and we are delighted to be able to expand our presence in West Africa with
the support of the Federal Foreign Office.”
,” said Mukherjee.
DAAD in Ghana
Since establishing its presence in Ghana in 2000, the German Academic
Exchange Service (DAAD) has actively supported the remarkable growth of
academic exchange and collaboration with Germany. Germany is now the
third most popular study destination for Ghanaian students and the number
of DAAD’s scholarships for Ghanaians have increased more than tenfold in the
last 25 years. Over the past decade, institutional collaborations between
DAAD Germany and Ghana have nearly tripled and the flourishing network of
students, researchers, and alumni between the two countries stands as a testament to this success.
The new regional office – one of only two in sub-Saharan Africa – demonstrates the continuing growth of West African countries as partners of Germany and the DAAD.
They offer great potential for academic exchange and scientific cooperation with Germany: an estimated 2.5 million young people are currently studying in Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria. The number of
exchanges with Germany has also risen continuously in recent years. Around
13,500 students from the three countries are currently enrolled at universities
in Germany.
In addition, German universities are showing a growing interest in cooperation, with around 130 partnerships already in place with Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria.
Until now, however, German universities have lacked a central contact point on site for the establishment and expansion of networks and collaborations. The new regional office in Accra enables the DAAD to advise students and researchers locally, to present Germany as an attractive centre
of science in the region and to facilitate access to knowledge and contacts in
the countries for German universities.
Students and researchers interested in making inquiries, attending information events, or booking individual consultations can contact the DAAD Regional Office in Ghana.
German Academic Exchange Service Opens in Accra for West Africa
2026 teachers’ summit: Zulum stands in for NGF chair, commends FG for NELFUND
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, on Monday, attended the National Teachers’ Summit held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he stood in for the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
Governor Zulum commended the Federal Government for its strategic investments in education, citing the positive impact of Students Loan Scheme, the strengthening of key educational institutions, and the upward review of salaries for federal university teachers as evidence of a clear policy direction aimed at revitalising the sector.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to educational development and human capital advancement in Borno State.
The summit, convened by the Federal Ministry of Education, provided a strategic platform to review the state of Nigeria’s education sector, strengthen policy implementation, and formally launch “Edu Revamp”, a platform to enhance teacher capacity, utilise digital tools for 21st-century skills, and foster collaboration to improve learning outcomes.
About 12 exemplary teachers were honoured for their outstanding service to the nation. Six teachers—one from each of the six geopolitical zones—from the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), alongside six secondary school teachers, received cash awards of ₦25 million each. The Overall Best Teacher award was presented to Mr Solanke Francis Taiwo, who received a cash prize of ₦50 million.
Governor Zulum commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for hosting the maiden National Teachers’ Summit at the Presidential Villa, describing the initiative as a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s prioritisation of education.
He particularly applauded her sustained advocacy for girl-child education and her support through scholarships and grants that continue to reduce barriers to educational access for vulnerable Nigerians.
He also praised the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, for their focused and reform-driven leadership.
2026 teachers’ summit: Zulum stands in for NGF chair, commends FG for NELFUND
News
Kyari Urges Fairer Global Trade Rules as Nigeria Participates in Cocoa Beyond Borders Conference in UK
Kyari Urges Fairer Global Trade Rules as Nigeria Participates in Cocoa Beyond Borders Conference in UK
By: Our Reporter
Nigeria is participating in the Cocoa Beyond Borders 2026 Conference in the United Kingdom, joining global policymakers, industry leaders, financiers, and farmer representatives to examine power imbalances and compliance challenges in the global cocoa sector.
Delivering a keynote address, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Nigeria, challenged existing trade and compliance regimes, stating that cocoa-producing nations “must not remain rule-takers in a system where the rules are made without their meaningful input.”
Speaking within the conference theme, “Rules Without Recourse? Navigating Compliance, Power, and Trade Justice in the Cocoa Sector,” the Minister warned that sustainability frameworks would fail if they undermine farmer livelihoods and national sovereignty, stressing that “compliance cannot be just if it weakens producer economies while protecting markets elsewhere.”
Senator Kyari also cautioned against the weaponisation of ESG and environmental regulations as non-tariff barriers, noting that climate action must advance alongside fairness and equity in global trade.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to reclaiming value across the cocoa supply chain, emphasising the need for producing countries to move beyond raw exports to processing, branding, and greater market influence, while calling for stronger producer-led alliances to reshape global cocoa governance.
The two-day conference is examining ESG compliance, digital traceability, climate finance, price volatility, and the future of cocoa innovation, positioning cocoa as a strategic asset in global trade justice.
Kyari Urges Fairer Global Trade Rules as Nigeria Participates in Cocoa Beyond Borders Conference in UK
Armed robbery foiled by Bauchi Police, three suspects arrested in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Three persons were arrested following a foiled armed robbery along the Bauchi–Gombe Federal Highway in Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Jan. 26.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 12:16 a.m. when armed robbers blocked the road near Kalajanga Hamlet via Bara Village.
Officers on routine patrol responded promptly, engaging the hoodlums and forcing them to abandon their operation and flee into the surrounding bush.
The trail of the robbers led authorities to the house of one Nasiru Ibrahim of Saddiya Hamlet, where two of his children, Isya Nasiru, 20, and Umar Nasiru, 18, were also arrested in connection with the case.
Recovered items included two sticks, a touch light, three bags, a local bullet-proof shirt, face masks, two pairs of shoes, an Oppo android phone, and several local charms.
Sources say Investigations are ongoing.
Armed robbery foiled by Bauchi Police, three suspects arrested in Bauchi
2026 teachers’ summit: Zulum stands in for NGF chair, commends FG for NELFUND
AT GOV. MUTFWANG GRAND ENTRY INTO APC
Kyari Urges Fairer Global Trade Rules as Nigeria Participates in Cocoa Beyond Borders Conference in UK
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