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From Rejection to Record-Breaker: LASU’s Best Graduating Student Thought She Had Failed in Life

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From Rejection to Record-Breaker: LASU’s Best Graduating Student Thought She Had Failed in Life

From Rejection to Record-Breaker: LASU’s Best Graduating Student Thought She Had Failed in Life

In an inspiring twist of fate, Miss Isioma Nwosu, who once believed she had failed in life after missing out on her dream course, emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student of Lagos State University (LASU) for the 2023/2024 academic session with an astounding CGPA of 4.93.

Nwosu, a graduate of Biochemistry, captivated the audience with her moving valedictory speech at LASU’s 28th Convocation Ceremony, held at the university’s main campus in Ojo.

“I thought I had failed in life,” she confessed, recounting the heartbreak of not gaining admission to study Medicine and Surgery—her lifelong ambition.

After finishing secondary school as her set’s valedictorian in 2019, Nwosu faced a major blow: she scored just two points below the cut-off mark to study Medicine at the University of Ibadan. The setback forced her to retake UTME, a decision she said left her humiliated and defeated.

“A valedictorian writing UTME again? It was a bitter pill to swallow,” she recalled.

When she eventually reapplied to study Medicine and Surgery—this time at LASU—fate again dealt her a curveball. She was offered Biochemistry, a course she admitted she had “never heard of” until that moment.

“My heart broke a second time. I couldn’t embrace the course at first,” she said.

But through perseverance, and the encouragement of her lecturers and friends, Isioma not only embraced Biochemistry—she excelled beyond all expectations, finishing top of a graduating class of 11,917 students.

“Dreams Can Be Delayed, Not Denied”

In a stirring message to fellow graduates and aspiring students, Nwosu urged young people not to abandon their dreams in the face of rejection or redirection.

“Never be afraid of having big dreams. Your dreams are the seeds of greatness. You are resilient, capable, and prepared for the future,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of surrounding oneself with “friends of value, vision, and ambition.”

VC Urges Graduates to Shape Their Legacy

In her address, LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, praised the class of 2023/2024, reminding them that they hold the pen to write the next chapter of their lives.

“You’ve demonstrated excellence in both character and learning. Now use that knowledge to drive meaningful change,” she charged.

The university awarded diplomas, degrees, and certificates across various disciplines, celebrating not just academic success but stories of resilience and transformation—none more powerful than that of Isioma Nwosu, who turned disappointment into distinction.

Education

COMR. YUSUF TOBI JAMIU ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR SUG WEEK 2026, CALLS FOR MASS PARTICIPATION

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COMR. YUSUF TOBI JAMIU ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR SUG WEEK 2026, CALLS FOR MASS PARTICIPATION

COMR. YUSUF TOBI JAMIU ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR SUG WEEK 2026, CALLS FOR MASS PARTICIPATION

 

University of Abuja SUG President Unveils 6-Day Programme Focused on Leadership, Innovation, Culture, and Student Unity

 

ABUJA, NIGERIA — The President of the Students’ Union Government, University of Abuja, Comr. Yusuf Tobi Jamiu (JAMO) has officially unveiled the schedule of activities for SUG WEEK 2026, scheduled to hold from 18th to 23rd May, 2026, at the University of Abuja.

 

In an official release to the general public, Comr. Yusuf Tobi Jamiu stated that this year’s edition is designed as a comprehensive student engagement and development programme aimed at promoting leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, culture, intellectual interaction, entertainment, sportsmanship, and social integration within the university community.

 

COMR. YUSUF TOBI JAMIU ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR SUG WEEK 2026, CALLS FOR MASS PARTICIPATION

 

“SUG Week 2026 is not merely a celebration, but a reflection of purposeful student leadership and the collective spirit of the University of Abuja student community, ”Comr. Yusuf Tobi Jamiu said. “I encourage every student to participate actively, represent their faculties and departments positively, and make the most of this platform for growth and unity.”

 

Building on a Record of Student-Centred Governance

Under the leadership of Comr. Yusuf Tobi Jamiu, the current administration, has introduced several initiatives to improve student engagement and institutional representation. These include the unveiling of the official SUG Website, presentation of SUG Buses, development of strategic partnerships, presentation of the SUG Magazine, and various welfare and empowerment-driven programmes.

With the approval and support of University Management led by the Vice-Chancellor, *Prof. Abdulhakeem Fawehinmi Babatunde*, SUG Week 2026 has been structured to provide students with opportunities for networking, creativity, intellectual participation, relaxation, and campus-wide unity.

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SUG WEEK 2026 Schedule of Activities

Day 1 – Monday, 18th May: Corporate Day
Official Launch & Unveiling
1. Official Unveiling of the SUG Website
2. Presentation and Commissioning of the SUG Buses
3. Presentation of the SUG Magazine
4. Award Presentation Ceremony
5. Leadership and Innovation Summit
6. Networking Session

The opening ceremony will feature distinguished personalities, public office holders, institutional stakeholders, business leaders, and guests from across the country.

Day 2 – Tuesday, 19th May: Old School Day
Inter-Faculty Debate Competition
A day dedicated to celebrating culture, creativity, and intellectual engagement through vintage-themed appearances and an inter-faculty debate competition.

Day 3 – Wednesday, 20th May: Jersey Day
Sports & Health Awareness
Focus on fitness, wellness, sportsmanship, and health awareness through sporting activities, recreational engagements, and sensitisation programmes.

Day 4 – Thursday, 21st May: Denim Day
Career & Entrepreneurship Day
Empowering students with career development opportunities, entrepreneurship knowledge, mentorship, networking, and innovation-driven discussions.

Day 5 – Friday, 22nd May: Fashion Show Day
Fashion Display & Runway Experience
Students will showcase creativity, talent, fashion expression, and entertainment through runway displays and coordinated fashion activities.

Day 6 – Saturday, 23rd May: Fake Wedding / Owambe Finale
Grand Finale
The grand social and cultural finale brings students together through music, culture, fashion, food, entertainment, and social interaction.

Call to Action
Comr. Yusuf Tobi Jamiu and the Students’ Union Government encourage all students to take part in the week’s activities and uphold the spirit of unity and excellence that defines the University of Abuja.

Students interested in volunteering, participating, partnering, sponsoring, modelling, or engaging in any activity are advised to send a direct message to the Union through the provided contacts.

For Sponsorship and Partnership: +234 810 593 0335

Signed:
Comr. Yusuf Tobi Jamiu (JAMO)
President, Students’ Union Government (SUG)
University of Abuja

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GIRAU INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, MILLENNIUM CITY KADUNA, OPENS ADMISSION FOR THE 2025/2026 ACADEMIC SESSION

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GIRAU INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, MILLENNIUM CITY KADUNA, OPENS ADMISSION FOR THE 2025/2026 ACADEMIC SESSION

*GIRAU INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, MILLENNIUM CITY KADUNA, OPENS ADMISSION FOR THE 2025/2026 ACADEMIC SESSION

 

Girau International School (GIS), a premier educational institution located in the heart of Millennium City, Kaduna, has officially announced the commencement of admissions for the forthcoming academic year. The school invites applications for its comprehensive educational streams: *Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Islamiyya*.

Renowned for its unwavering commitment to academic excellence and holistic development, GIS stands as a beacon of learning in Northern Nigeria. The institution is built on a foundational philosophy dedicated to providing *world-class education* that meets international standards while being firmly rooted in positive cultural and moral values.

The school’s mission extends beyond conventional academics. With a dedicated focus on *nurturing young minds and shaping future leaders* of tomorrow, GIS employs a curated blend of innovative teaching methodologies, a blended curriculum, and state-of-the-art facilities. The environment is meticulously designed to ensure that every student excels *academically, socially, and morally*, preparing them to thrive in a dynamic global landscape.

*A CAPACITY FOR EXCELLENCE*

GIS boasts significant capacity to deliver on its promises:
* *Modern Infrastructure:* The campus features purpose-built, technologically integrated classrooms, advanced science and computer laboratories, expansive sports facilities, and dedicated learning spaces for creative and performing arts.
* *Qualified Faculty:* The school employs a team of highly trained, experienced, and passionate educators who are specialists in child-centered and participatory learning.
* *Blended Curriculum:* The academic programme seamlessly integrates the Nigerian/British curriculum ensuring international best practices, complemented by a strong emphasis on character building, leadership skills, and Islamic ethical teachings in its Islamiyya section.
* *Secure and Conducive Environment:* Situated within the serene and secure Millennium City layout, the school provides a safe, inclusive, and stimulating atmosphere ideal for learning and personal growth.

Prospective parents and guardians seeking an educational partnership that prioritizes excellence, discipline, and comprehensive development for their wards are encouraged to secure a place.

Admission forms are available at the school’s administration office. Early application is advised due to limited vacancies across all classes.

 

GIRAU INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, MILLENNIUM CITY KADUNA, OPENS ADMISSION FOR THE 2025/2026 ACADEMIC SESSION

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NIGERIA’S EDUCATION STRIDES, GLOBAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT: When Evidence Travels from Jigawa

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Governing Through Hardship: How Tinubu’s Policies Targets the Poor. By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com 

NIGERIA’S EDUCATION STRIDES, GLOBAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT: When Evidence Travels from Jigawa

…as President Tinubu set to commission Africa’s largest schools complex in Lagos

By O’tega Ogra

 

There is a quiet shift happening in Nigeria’s education system. You will not find it in speeches neither will you find it in long policy documents. But if you look closely, you will see it in something far more difficult to dismiss. Evidence.

Last week in San Francisco, at the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) conference, data from classrooms in Jigawa State was presented before a global audience. Not projections. Not estimates. A record of what is happening inside a public system in Nigeria. 

That distinction matters. For years, much of what the world has understood about education in countries like ours has been assembled from a distance. National averages. Modelled estimates and reports written long after the fact. What was presented this time came from within. Attendance tracked daily. Teachers reassigned based on need. Classrooms observed as they function. All under a digitalised ecosystem.

In Jigawa, under the JigawaUNITE foundational learning digital programme, the numbers tell a simple story. Within roughly 150 days of implementation which commenced at the end of 2024, 95 previously understaffed schools were fully staffed. Pupil teacher ratio moved from 114:1 to 70:1. Daily attendance rose from 39 per cent to 77 per cent. This remarkable improvement was not achieved by expanding the workforce. It came from reorganising what already existed under a digital umbrella.

There is something instructive in that. Nigeria has never lacked policy. What we have often lacked is the discipline of execution. The ability to take what already exists and make it work as intended. That is where the real shift is beginning to show.

But it would be too convenient to reduce this to one programme.

At the federal level, the direction has also been adjusting. The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has placed measurable outcomes, foundational learning, and teacher quality back at the centre of policy. UBEC, the Federal Government’s Universal Basic Education body, continues to drive national interventions around school improvement and teacher development, even as it insists that reform must remain system-led and not fragmented.

The First Lady’s education interventions, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, have reinforced education as a national priority, particularly around access, learning materials, and inclusion. These are different levers, but they are part of the same ecosystem.

And then there is the fiscal reality.

Recent reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have increased allocations to subnational governments, creating more room for states to act. In a federation like Nigeria, that matters. Because education is not delivered from Abuja. It is delivered in states. In schools. In classrooms.

What Jigawa has done is to use that room and the Executive Governor of the state, the State Universal Basic Education Board, and their partners on the JigawaUNITE project, New Globe, must be given kudos.

However, Jigawa is not alone in this journey.

In Kwara, efforts to align teaching with actual learning levels are beginning to correct a structural mismatch in classrooms. In Lagos and Edo, structured pedagogy and closer monitoring are improving consistency in teaching. Across the entire ecosystem, state governments, federal institutions like UBEC, and delivery partners like NewGlobe are pushing at the same question from different angles.

How do children actually learn better?

In a prior reflection, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, VP at NewGlobe, captured the urgency clearly. With the right tools, training, and use of data, foundational learning outcomes can improve at scale. The real risk, she noted, is delay, allowing learning gaps to become permanent.

That warning should not be ignored because the context remains difficult. Nigeria still carries one of the largest out of school populations in the world. Learning gaps remain. Progress in one state does not resolve a national challenge, but it does something else.

It proves that movement is possible.

What was presented in Washington did not claim success. It demonstrated function. It showed that a Nigerian sub-national can generate evidence that holds up in a global room. That reform does not always require something new. Sometimes it requires using what already exists more honestly and more efficiently.

The real question now is whether this remains an exception.

Or whether it becomes a pattern.

Because reform at scale is never built on isolated wins. It is built on systems that can reproduce them.

And perhaps that is why the timing matters.

This week, another subnational, Lagos State, is expected to commission the Tolu Schools Complex in Ajegunle, a sprawling 36-school integrated facility spread across 11.7 hectares, designed to serve over 20,000 students, and described as the largest school community in Africa. 

There is a connection here that should not be missed.

On one hand, a classroom system in Jigawa is learning how to organise itself better. On the other, a state like Lagos is building the physical scale required to carry thousands of learners at once.

One is structure. The other is capacity.

Real progress sits where both meet because education reform is not only about what we build, it is about how well what we build actually works.

For once, the data was not explaining Nigeria from the outside.

It was coming from within.

And it carried weight.

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