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UNIMAID AT 50: Improved Investment in Education Reflects Renewed Vigour Under President Tinubu – VP Shettima
UNIMAID AT 50: Improved Investment in Education Reflects Renewed Vigour Under President Tinubu – VP Shettima
*Says, increased education budget to ₦3.5 trillion, expanded mechanised farming, AI training, underscore FG’s commitment
*Commends Borno Govt investments in human capital development
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has said the improved investment in Nigeria’s education sector by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reflects the renewed vigour to properly situate the nation in the global knowledge economy.
He warned that Nigeria cannot compete globally if its universities remain underfunded, stressing that sustained investment in education is now a core pillar of national development and security under President Tinubu administration.
The Vice President reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s education sector through increased funding and comprehensive reforms.
He was speaking on Saturday in Maiduguri at a ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State.
“Today, there is a shared national understanding that education is the most reliable vehicle to development. It is the immune system of the nation. It fuels economic mobility, lifts families out of poverty, strengthens social cohesion, deepens democratic culture, and fortifies national security. It sustains every modern endeavour, from the construction of strong institutions to the building of a strong economy,” the Vice President said.
Speaking on the focus of the administration of President Tinubu, the Vice President said “…we have made it clear that we do not come to pay lip service to education. We recognise that the soul of national development lies in what our citizens know, what they can imagine, and what they can create. Because we understand the transformative power of learning, our budgetary commitments have been deliberately aligned with the broader goals of national progress.”
VP Shettima disclosed that “in the 2025 Budget, education received a total of 3.5 trillion naira, amounting to 7.3 percent of the national budget, an increase from the previous year. For the first time in many years, our universities are being supported to develop mechanised farming programmes. Grants have been introduced to strengthen medical education, and entrepreneurial initiatives have been expanded to equip students for the realities of a modern economy.”
“We are preparing our young people for a knowledge-driven world, not with the tools of yesterday, but with the skills of tomorrow,” he added.
Senator Shettima however acknowledged Indeed the challenges that have persisted, noting that “for decades, underfunding has weakened the foundations of our education system. International benchmarks recommend that between fifteen and twenty percent of national budgets be devoted to education, yet we have often fallen short. We have fallen short because we are compelled to balance competing national priorities such as security, healthcare, and infrastructure.”
Reflecting on the impact of insecurity on education in the North-East, the Vice President recalled that over 500 schools were attacked in Borno State between 2009 and 2021, with thousands of classrooms destroyed and teachers killed or displaced.
However, he said the state has staged a remarkable recovery. As at March 2025, 877,777 learners were enrolled in public schools across Borno, with the state committing ₦69.81 billion to education. Over 26,000 students had their WAEC fees paid by the government, while daily school feeding now costs about ₦122 million.
“When terrorists attacked our schools, they were trying to kill the future. But Borno chose hope over fear and education over darkness,” VP Shettima said.
The Vice President admitted that Nigerian universities continue to battle staff shortages, brain drain, outdated curricula, inadequate research funding, frequent strikes and high student-to-teacher ratios.
He said the President Tinubu administration is responding through digital transformation, national education databases, curriculum reforms, research development and skills-based learning, shifting education away from rote memorisation toward problem-solving, creativity and entrepreneurship.
VP Shettima said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda places education at the centre of Nigeria’s economic and social renewal, linking learning directly to job creation, poverty reduction, democratic stability and national security.
“National development is impossible without skilled citizens and leaders of integrity. That is why this government is investing deliberately in education, digital skills, research capacity and institutional autonomy,” he stated.
Tracing the roots of the University of Maiduguri to the Third National Development Plan of 1975–1980, VP Shettima described the institution as a symbol of Nigeria’s commitment to development through knowledge, despite decades of security challenges.
“This university stands today not as a victim of the storms it endured, but as a lighthouse in the Sahel. The wealth of a nation lies not in gold or oil, but in the minds of its people. And that future is being shaped in our classrooms,” VP Shettima added.
Earlier, Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, said the state government was proud of the legacies of the University of Maiduguri and announced the award of scholarships for further studies to 200 lecturers from the institution.
He said the institution has been instrumental in the state’s human parietal development efforts as well as economic blueprints over the years.
In the same vein, Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State who announced a donation of N1.8 billion on behalf of the states in the northeast region for the University’s endowment fund, commended efforts aimed at expanding funding sources for the institution through partnerships with the private sector and individuals.
For his part, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Prof. Mohammed Mele, said the anniversary event was a celebration of success, resilience and perseverance in the face of conflict, recalling the challenges faced by the institution due to the insurgency.
He sought improved collaboration with the private sector to complement government funding of the institution, in its bid to sustain strides recorded in various fields.
Other dignitaries at the event included, Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe; Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad; Businessman and Philantropist, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi; Businessman, Sir Emeka Offor; Pro Chancellor of the University and Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage; some members of the National Assembly from Borno State; Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, among others.
End
One dead, four injured in communal clash in ngidoje village in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
A 20-year-old man has been killed while four others sustained injuries in a clash involving youths in Ngidoje Village, Yobe State.
Sources said the incident occurred on Wednesday around 10:00 p.m. when some Fulani youths reportedly had a misunderstanding that escalated into a fight involving sticks and cutlasses.
The deceased, identified as Ibrahim Manu Gagare, was beaten and fell unconscious. He was rushed to Yobe State Specialist Hospital, Buni Yadi, where he was certified dead by a medical doctor. His body was later released to relatives for burial according to Islamic rites.
The remaining four victims sustained various degrees of injuries and are responding to treatment.
End
NSCDC Chief Hails FCT Command’s Transformation, Showcases Obstacle Training Facility
By: Michael Mike
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Audi has commended the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Corps for its rapid infrastructural growth and operational innovation, describing the command as a benchmark for excellence within the Corps.
Prof. Audi made the remarks during an inspection visit to the FCT Command as part of his 2026 Operational Tour aimed at assessing readiness, training capacity, and infrastructure development across NSCDC formations nationwide.
At the centre of the visit was the newly initiated Obstacle Course Training Facility, which the NSCDC boss described as a strategic investment in personnel capacity building and operational effectiveness.
He noted that the transformation witnessed at the FCT Command since the assumption of office of the Commandant Olusola Odumosu reflects purposeful leadership, discipline, and dedication to service.
According to the Commandant General, the FCT Command occupies a critical position as the operational nerve centre of the National Headquarters, stressing that the pace of development recorded within a short time underscores the command’s commitment to innovation and professionalism.
He further described officers of the FCT Command as some of the most dedicated personnel in the Corps, working deliberately to reposition the NSCDC in line with contemporary security demands. Prof. Audi noted that the progress recorded by the command is clear evidence of the broader transformation taking place within the Corps.
During his interaction with personnel, the NSCDC boss urged officers to uphold the values and principles of the service, cautioning against indiscipline, complacency, and misconduct.
He emphasized that national service must take precedence over personal interests, encouraging officers to pursue initiatives that can serve as models for other commands.
Audi also acknowledged the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare of NSCDC personnel, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for addressing long-standing promotion challenges within the service. He said the recent promotions have boosted morale and reinforced the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Looking ahead, the Commandant General disclosed that the National Headquarters is developing a College of Arms Squad Service in Nasarawa State, adding that the FCT Command’s obstacle course design will be adopted as a reference model for advanced training nationwide. He assured the FCT Command of continued institutional support to ensure timely completion of the project.
The visit culminated in a tactical demonstration by trained personnel at the obstacle course, showcasing the physical fitness, coordination, and operational preparedness of the command.
NSCDC Chief Hails FCT Command’s Transformation, Showcases Obstacle Training Facility
Nigeria Urges Europe and Africa to Build Bridges, Not Walls
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has called on Europe and Africa to reject isolationist tendencies and embrace a partnership rooted in shared history, geography, and responsibility.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Annual Conference of Spanish Ambassadors in Madrid, attended by 182 diplomats, Ambassador Tuggar framed Europe and Africa not as distant continents but as interconnected regions whose destinies are historically and economically linked.
Speaking under the theme, “Good Neighbourliness: Building Bridges or Building Walls,” he urged policymakers to focus on tangible realities rather than abstract divisions, highlighting the Mediterranean as a historic connector of peoples.
Tuggar recounted Africa’s longstanding contributions to the modern world—from the trans-Saharan gold trade of the 14th century to early Atlantic commerce in sugar and palm oil—emphasising that contemporary relations cannot ignore this shared past. He proposed that Africa be recognised alongside Europe and Ibero-America as a core component of Spain’s broader historical identity.
On migration, the Foreign Minister acknowledged its sensitivity while warning against policies driven by fear. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s opposition to irregular migration but cautioned that securitised approaches in the Sahel often exacerbate instability, dismantle local economies, empower traffickers, and undermine governance.
He praised Spain’s circular migration schemes as a pragmatic, humane model that aligns with centuries-old patterns of seasonal work across West Africa.
Highlighting Nigeria–Spain collaboration, Tuggar cited joint initiatives in migration management, police training, and the fight against human trafficking. He commended Spain for demonstrating that engagement, dialogue, and development-focused partnerships yield more sustainable results than coercion.
Turning to development, the minister stressed that Africa’s marginal share of global trade is incompatible with its demographic weight. He argued that reliance on raw material exports in exchange for manufactured goods perpetuates underdevelopment, urging investment in value-addition and development finance as mutually beneficial strategies for stability.
Tuggar also cautioned against the shrinking space for diplomacy amid over-militarisation and polarised domestic politics. He called for diplomats to champion dialogue, compromise, and long-term solutions, particularly in addressing democratic backsliding and unconstitutional changes of government in parts of West Africa. He highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in launching a Regional Partnership for Democracy with the United Nations Development Programme, a program designed to strengthen democratic resilience in ways that respect local histories and cultures.
He urged Spain’s diplomatic corps to promote good neighbourliness not only within Europe but globally, stressing that in a world tempted by walls and withdrawal, true statesmanship lies in building bridges where geography, history, and shared interest already demand them.
Nigeria Urges Europe and Africa to Build Bridges, Not Walls
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