Author: Sodiq Mojibola

It was a chaotic scene across several examination centres in Nigeria on Wednesday, 28 May, as candidates sitting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) were left stranded and confused over a shocking delay in their English Language paper. DevReporting gathered that thousands of candidates nationwide were made to wait as the exam failed to kick off at the scheduled time. At some centres, candidates were still writing as late as 11:45 p.m. Candidates were seen using torch lights to illuminate their centres, as most school compounds were in total darkness. A candidate from a Lagos school told DevReporting…

As the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates progresses across Nigeria, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has issued a stern warning against examination malpractice, declaring zero tolerance for any acts of dishonesty. The council warned that any candidate caught in dishonest acts during the ongoing WASSCE risks outright cancellation of results and possible prosecution. In a statement issued on Tuesday and obtained by DevReporting, WAEC said that despite initial challenges, the conduct of the WASSCE for school candidates has proceeded smoothly across the country since its commencement on 24 April. It however, raised concerns…

Tension is brewing in Nigeria’s university system following the Federal Government’s release of N50 billion for the settlement of earned allowances for university unions, with 80 per cent of the funds allegedly allocated to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), while the remaining 20 per cent is expected to be shared among three other unions. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has outrightly rejected the distribution formula, describing it as unfair, provocative, and capable of triggering industrial disharmony. The N50…

In a world where digital innovation must now answer to environmental and climate realities, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has played host to a dynamic week-long summer school aimed at preparing Nigerian students for a greener, more sustainable future in software engineering. The summer school, which was held at the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Centre atUNILAG, brought together local academics, international experts, and spirited students for an immersive learning experience focused on sustainable computing. The initiative, powered by the Software Engineers for Green Deal Hub (SE4GD), UNILAG, and its European consortium partners, was organised in partnership with the Department of…

The numbers are out, and they are alarming. Of the nearly 2 million candidates who sat the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), more than 78 per cent scored below 200 out of the obtainable 400 marks. The results left many tongues wagging. For many students, the UTME is more than just an exam; it is a make-or-break moment that determines their chances of gaining higher education. Going by the results released by JAMB on 9 May, where only 21.5 per cent scored 200 and above, candidates are crying, parents are anxious, teachers are frustrated, and educationists are warning of…

In commemoration of 2025 World Press Freedom Day, Nigerian journalists, and media advocates have added their voices to the global discourse, reflecting on the future of press freedom in an era shaped by artificial intelligence (AI). At different forums, they highlighted both the risks and the reforms needed to safeguard ethical journalism. The United Nations General Assembly declared 3 May to be World Press Freedom Day, observed to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the…

More than three years after the tragic murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwola,  a young fashion designer whose death shocked Lagos and the nation at large,  justice has finally been served. The Lagos State High Court, sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square annex, on Friday, sentenced Andrew Ominikoron, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of rape and murder. Mr Ominikoron was convicted on a five-count charge, which included one count of murder, two counts of rape, and two counts of conspiracy. He had pleaded not guilty when first arraigned in March 2022. The verdict…

Miva Open University, a pioneering institution in digital education, has launched its flagship study centre in Lagos, aiming to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to help close Nigeria’s wide university admission gap. According to the university, the future of accessible, high-quality tertiary education lies in tech-powered learning, as over 900,000 qualified students are denied admission annually due to capacity limitations at conventional institutions in Nigeria. Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, the chancellor of the university, Sim Shagaya,  explained that the institution is deploying a blended learning model as a perfect response to the urgent need for smart learning for all…

The Federal Government has directed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) to fully adopt Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for all their examinations by 2026, describing it as a major step towards eliminating examination malpractice and encouraging genuine academic preparation among students. The Minister of State for Education, Tunji Alausa, gave the directive on Monday during a monitoring exercise of the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) alongside officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Bwari, Abuja. Mr Alausa explained that by November 2025, both examination bodies must begin conducting their objective papers via CBT,…

The death of two candidates in a fatal road accident on their way to sit the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Oyo State has stirred a wave of grief and anger nationwide, with fresh questions raised over the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) exam logistics and distant postings. The tragic scene, captured in a viral video, showed the wreckage and lifeless bodies, as voices (in Yoruba language) in the background lamented the loss of young lives simply trying to take an exam. Video of the accident went viral on social media after JAMB, in a statement on…