Peter Obi Frames Dangote-Farouk Controversy as Moral and Public Responsibility Debate, Proposes Alternative $5 Million Education Model

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has weighed in on the Farouk Ahmed controversy, reframing the debate as a question of public responsibility and morality rather than personal conduct. Responding to allegations that Ahmed spent $5 million on his children’s education in Switzerland, Obi highlighted the disparity against Nigeria’s 18 million out-of-school children and proposed redirecting such funds to build a self-sustaining national education ecosystem. He detailed a model that could fund 25 school blocks, employ 450 teachers, and create long-term financial returns for sustained education, emphasizing ethical governance and equitable resource allocation.

Nigeria Faces Education Emergency as 45 Million Children Suffer Severe Learning Poverty — Alausa Warns




Nigeria is facing a nationwide learning crisis, with 45 million children aged 7–14 unable to read a simple sentence despite high school enrollment rates, according to Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa. Citing UNICEF data, the minister revealed alarming disparities in literacy and numeracy across regions, with the North-west and North-east worst affected.

Alausa described the situation as a “learning emergency” driven by low-quality teaching, inadequate materials, and inconsistent implementation of mother-tongue education policies. He outlined sweeping reforms by the Federal Ministry of Education, including teacher training upgrades, digital learning initiatives, school grading, strengthened monitoring, and partnerships to reduce out-of-school children.

The minister emphasized that Nigeria’s multilingual landscape complicates policy execution, with many teachers unable to teach in local languages and limited instructional materials available. He called for a harmonized language-in-education strategy that improves foundational learning while ensuring fair access to national examinations and future opportunities.




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Teenager Takes Over as ‘Vice President for a Day,’ Champions Girl-Child Education.

A Nigerian teenager, Joy Ogah, on Monday, symbolically took over the seat of Vice President Kashim Shettima, using the moment to advocate for girls’ education and empowerment across the country.

According to a statement from the Office of the Vice President, the handover occurred during a meeting with a delegation from PLAN International, led by Helen Mfonobong Idiong, the organisation’s Director of Programme, Quality and Innovation.

From the Vice President’s chair, Ogah highlighted the alarming number of out-of-school children in Nigeria — over 10.5 million, with girls accounting for more than 60 percent — urging government and stakeholders to invest in inclusive and safe learning environments.

“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria,” she said.
“Every girl deserves a classroom, a choice, dignity, and not silence. When girls are protected, peace becomes possible. I may be the Vice President for a day, but the struggles I represent cannot end in a day.”

Ogah further called on authorities to provide free sanitary products in schools, guarantee access to clean water, sanitation, and good nutrition, and implement policies that uphold the dignity of every girl.

Responding, Vice President Shettima reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to advancing girl-child education nationwide, pledging continued collaboration with PLAN International.

“We will continue engagement with PLAN International and see where the force and strength of government can be brought to bear on your advice regarding girl-child education. In President Tinubu, you have an ally you can trust,” he stated.

Ogah’s “Vice President for a Day” experience, observers say, underscores the growing movement for inclusive education and equal opportunity, giving voice to the aspirations of millions of Nigerian girls still fighting for access to learning.

Kano outperforms Lagos, Oyo, others in 2025 NECO SSCE results.

Kano State has emerged as the best-performing state in the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE Internal) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO). 

The state recorded 68,159 candidates (5.02% of the national total) with five credits and above, including Mathematics and English. Lagos followed with 67,007 candidates (4.93%), while Oyo placed third with 48,742.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, through his spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said the feat validates his administration’s education reforms. 

He noted that education received the highest allocation in the 2024 and 2025 budgets, enabling school rehabilitation, free uniforms and materials, recruitment and training of teachers, and expanded access to learning. He highlighted girl-child education, scholarships, and reducing out-of-school children as key drivers of Kano’s success.

“Our reforms are clearly yielding results, and this outstanding performance proves Kano is on the right path. Education remains our top priority, and we will ensure no child is left behind,” Yusuf said.

Observers say the state’s success has drawn national recognition, with newspapers and the Nigeria Union of Teachers naming Yusuf “Education Governor of the Year.” They described the performance as proof of sustained investment in human capital.

Yusuf had declared a state of emergency in education in 2024 and allocated 31% of the 2025 budget to the sector as part of a recovery plan.

Meanwhile, NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, announcing the results in Minna, said 818,492 of 1,358,339 candidates (60.26%) scored five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, while 1,144,496 (84.26%) obtained five credits and above irrespective of the two core subjects.

FG Rewards Nafisah Abdullahi Who Won Global English Contest with N200,000.

The Federal Government has rewarded Nafisah Abdullahi, winner of the TeenEagle Global Finals, with N200,000 for her outstanding performance.

Earlier, the Atiku Foundation had offered fully funded scholarships to Nafisa, Rukaiya Fema, and Khadija Kalli for their “remarkable success” at the international contest. At a recognition ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suiwaba Ahmad, hailed Nafisa as “a beacon of excellence and inspiration to Nigerian youths.”

Representing Nigeria through Nigerian Tulip International College, Nafisa beat over 20,000 contestants from 69 countries, including native English speakers, to win the world title. TeenEagle tests proficiency in English, critical thinking, and communication.

Alausa stressed government efforts to boost education and reduce out-of-school children, noting President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to human capital development. “You are the future of Nigeria, and you have made us proud.

For the first time in the history of our nation, we have one of the highest budgetary allocations to education… Your success gives us the confidence to ask for more, and we will continue to do so on your behalf,” he said. The minister also gave Nafisa and other outstanding students over N100,000. Prof. Ahmad added, “Nigerian youths can compete and excel globally.

Nafisa has demonstrated that Nigeria is blessed and can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the world. You are a shining example.” Nafisa thanked President Tinubu, the ministers, her school NTIC, and her parents. Yobe State’s Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Abba Idris, also praised the ministers, affirming the state’s pride in celebrating education.

FG Secures $25.35m Kuwait Loan to Address Out-of-School Children in Kaduna.

The Federal Government has obtained a $25.35 million concessionary loan from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to support efforts aimed at tackling the high number of out-of-school children in Kaduna State.

The loan forms part of a larger $62.8 million blended financing package involving multiple international development partners. The funds will be used to implement the Reaching Out-of-School Children programme, an ambitious initiative targeting vulnerable groups including girls, children with disabilities, and internally displaced persons.

This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Manga. The project aims to enrol over 100,000 children, construct or rehabilitate more than 200 schools, and boost teacher capacity and learning conditions in underserved communities across Kaduna State.

The loan agreement, signed by the Federal Government on behalf of the Kaduna State Government, reflects a broader strategy to enhance inclusive and quality education in one of Nigeria’s most education-challenged regions.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun—represented by Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite—emphasised the government’s focus on transparency, accountability, and tangible impact in education investment.

He stressed the need for every dollar spent to deliver measurable results, especially in regions with high out-of-school populations. Edun also praised Kaduna State for its proactive approach and collaboration with development partners. He expressed optimism that the initiative could serve as a model for other states.

Governor Uba Sani, in his remarks, reiterated Kaduna’s commitment to education and revealed that the state had already met its $1 million counterpart funding obligation. He added that Kaduna had raised its education sector allocation to 26% in the 2025 budget, underscoring its focus on human capital development.

According to Peter Obi on X:

“I spoke at the National Political Consultative Northern Group Meeting about the North’s untapped potential and urgent need for inclusive development. Our vast northern land is underutilized, especially in agriculture. For example, Niger and Borno states combined have nearly the same land size as Bangladesh but produce far less rice. Taraba State has great potential for tea and coffee, comparable to Sri Lanka’s exports. Northern Nigeria, despite its size, imports grain from Ukraine, a smaller country. Education is also a challenge, with many out-of-school children eager to learn. With proper investment in education, healthcare, and agriculture, we can transform the North and Nigeria.”