Education
UK programme, KDSG develop policy to guide operations of private schools
UK programme, KDSG develop policy to guide operations of private schools
The Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme is supporting Kaduna State Government to develop a policy to guide the operations and contribution of private schools in the state.
PLANE is a seven-year education programme funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) out to invest in a more inclusive and effective education system in Nigeria.
Mr Sunny Kulutuye, the PLANE consultant, explained at the end of a two-day consultative meeting in Kaduna on Thursday that the policy development was a response to a request by the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA).
Kulutuye said that the move was to enable the authority to adequately regulate the operations of private schools, which became necessary due to identified gaps and the challenges the government faced working with owners.
He explained that the meeting was to introduce the concept of the policy and mobilise critical stakeholders to take ownership and be part of the development process.
He said that the meeting was also organised to set up a committee that would help in driving the policy development process and come up with a draft document for further discussion.
Dr James Fadokun, Technical Lead on Governance of Non-state Systems, PLANE, said that the consultative meeting was to facilitate a public-private dialogue to reflect on existing policy guidelines for private schools in the state.
Fadokun said that dialogue would create co-creation opportunities for the state government and private school owners to dialogue on the way forward.
“This will create an inclusive policy that will ensure effective regulation for private schools and effective public-private partnership where the state government and private school owners improve the education landscape forward.
“This will also create opportunities for private school owners to know what to do and how to align whatever service they are delivering to fall in line with the government policy,” he said.
He said that the policy would look at the market space for private schools and how the government could regulate it by providing an enabling environment through ease of doing business for them to operate.
He added that the policy framework would also create opportunities for private school owners to access financial support in the form of loans from financial institutions to improve the quality of delivery.
This, according to him, will ensure that the private school owners are able to meet up with some of the government’s minimum requirements to operate.
On policy implementation, Fadokun said that an Implementation Strategy and Monitoring and Evaluation Framework would also be developed.
He said it was not just about formulating policy, it was also about creating strategies to implement the policy.
The PLANE State Team Lead, Mrs Diana Agabi, said that the measure was very crucial considering that private schools have been left out of most donors’ support programmes in the country.
According to her, private schools play a major role in the educational development in the country, pointing out that about 40 to 50 per cent of school-age children attend private schools.
“It is, therefore, critical for the government to understand what they are doing and they also need to understand the stand of the government and how to engage.
“Majorly what we see is the controversy between the government and the private schools that are being seen solely as business enterprises and not adding value to the society.
“The government needs to see private schools as a sector that is adding value to the education sector and contributing to nation-building and not as business enterprises.”
She expressed optimism that the State Executive Council would approve the policy when developed to guide the engagement between the government and the private school.
Hajiya Adama Wada, Acting Director-General, KSSQAA, assured PLANE that the policy, when developed, would be approved and implemented.
Wada thanked PLANE for the support and promised that the authority would play the expected role throughout the development and implementation of the policy.
Mr Ja’afaru Riyoji, Chairman, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Kaduna State Chapter, described the step as a “welcome development”, and expressed readiness to support the process.
On her part, Mrs Hadiza Umar, Citizen’s Co-chair, Open Government Partnership, lauded the process which she said was very inclusive and participatory by all relevant stakeholders.
“This is very commendable because the process will make the policy everybody’s policy and whatever that goes into the policy will be owned by everyone,” she said.
Education
Current Low Level of Women Participation in Decision Making, Unhealthy, Cannot Be Excused- Acting VC, UNIAbuja
Current Low Level of Women Participation in Decision Making, Unhealthy, Cannot Be Excused- Acting VC, UNIAbuja
By: Michael Mike
The Acting Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja, Prof. Matthew Adamu, has advocated for more women in positions of policy and decision making, insisting that the current low level of female participation is unhealthy and cannot be excused.
He made the call on Monday in Abuja at the induction ceremony of over 50 postgraduate students of the Centre for Gender Security Studies and Youth Advancement.
Adamu, who was represented at the occasion by his Senior Special Assistant on Academic Matters, Prof. Rhoda Mundi, stated that females constitute about 49.5 per cent of Nigeria’s population with males standing at 50.5 per cent, yet men continue to dominate the nation’s leadership and governance spaces.
The university don described the situation as a challenge that requires collective action, adding that gender imbalance continues to limit Nigeria’s development potential.
He decried that: “When you look at decision-makers and those who take part in decision-making, it is largely the male population. Yet, our population is almost evenly split between men and women,” insisting that: “No society can attain its full potential if half of its population is held back by discrimination or unequal access to opportunities”.
He advised the inductees to see their admission as a call to action, stating that: “This ceremony represents a commitment to learning, inquiry, and advancing the ideals of gender equality and social justice”.
He added that gender studies is a vital field that broadens understanding of how gender intersects with class, ethnicity, religion, and other social identities.
He said: “As students who will graduate from this institution, we expect that when you go out, you will make an impact. Upon graduation, there will be a difference between you who have graduated here, not just from the University of Abuja, but specifically from the Centre for Gender Security Studies and Youth Advancement”.
The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Hajiya Binta Bello asked the students to uphold discipline, integrity, and service as they prepare to contribute to national and global development.
Bello, who was represented by Hadiza Chiroma said: “You represent the next generation of leaders and change agents that our nation looks up to. Let this induction mark the beginning of a journey that will not only advance your academic pursuit but also position you to contribute meaningfully to national development and global human security.”
She commended the Centre for its consistent work in promoting gender equality, human security, and youth empowerment, noting that these ideals align with NAPTIP’s mandate to protect the dignity and rights of all persons, particularly women and youth vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
The Director of the Centre, Dr. Theresa Akpan while welcoming the inductees, reminded them that they are ambassadors of the Centre and urged them to put their knowledge into practice.
She said: “Gender is not a women’s issue but a shared social concern. Gender is not a woman thing; it’s for men and women. We want society to be balanced. So, if we all put our hands together, the society will be balanced, and all the injustices we are talking about will be done away with”.
Current Low Level of Women Participation in Decision Making, Unhealthy, Cannot Be Excused- Acting VC, UNIAbuja
Unimaid joins nationwide ASUU warning strike
By: Bodunrin Kayode
University of Maiduguri has joined the warning strike called by the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU to press home series of demands linked to backlog of unsolved issues with the federal government of Nigeria.
Some of these issues linked to the development and peaceful existence of their members on campus include the foot dragging of the federal government over their legitimate dues like the three months salary arrears which the government is still holding on to.
A memo signed by the new chairman Mohammed Waziri and secretary Dr. Peter Teru stated that the warning strike would be total through out its two weeks duration as it would be well monitored for compliance.
In a release, made available to news men in maiduguri, he went on: “This is to notify all academic staff that the UNIMAID Branch of ASUU, in unwavering compliance with the directive of the National Executive Council (NEC) dated 13th October 2025 and in line with the resolutions adopted at the Branch Congress held on Wednesday, 15th October 2025, hereby calls on all members to adhere strictly to the total and comprehensive warning strike as directed by NEC, effective from 13th October 2025.
“Accordingly, all academic activities are hereby suspended. These include, but are not limited to: Lectures, examinations, Supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate projects/dissertation or thesis Accreditation exercises Statutory and ad-hoc Meetings inaugural and public lectures etc.
“We urge all members to remain resolute, vigilant, and uncompromising in the pursuit of our collective demands. Let no member engage in any action that may undermine the integrity of this struggle. The University Management has been duly notified of our position.
“This action is a principled stand in defense of our rights, the sanctity of collective bargaining, and the revitalization of the Nigerian University System.
” It is a call for improved conditions of service, adequate funding, and respect for agreements freely entered into. An injury to one is an injury to all. United we bargain, divided we beg! Solidarity forever!! ” said the release.
Unimaid joins nationwide ASUU warning strike
Chairman NAPPS seeks intervention for private schools in Nigeria
By: Yahaya Wakili
The Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Potiskum chapter, Malam Mohammed Sambo Adamu, has called on the federal and state governments to provide intervention to private schools in the country.
Mohammed, who is also the Director and Proprietor of Women Day Academy Potiskum, made the call today during the celebration of 2025 National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Day at St. Peters Academy and College Potiskum, Yobe State.
The Director of Women Day Academy further said the private schools are in need of intervention from the government in order to develop our school infrastructures and other things.
He revealed that over 70 schools are here today for celebrating Napps Day and drawing the attention of the Yobe State Government Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to come and intervene in the Napps, particularly because there are young schools that used to come up.
“We need maximum cooperation and other things that will develop the schools in the Potiskum local government and its environment, including the grants and other things for rehabilitation and maintaining the schools,” the chairman added.
The chairman appreciates the effort of all people that extend their support to private schools and also appreciates the effort of all parents as well as the proprietors and directors of various schools that give us maximum cooperation to organize such programs.
Chairman NAPPS seeks intervention for private schools in Nigeria
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