Education
Out-of-School Children: Oyo ready to educate over 170,000 almajiris, hawkers
Oyo state government on Monday expressed its readiness to put into use the BESDA take-off grant towards educating about 170, 536 out-of-school children in 23 Local Government Areas and ensure their retention in schools.
The Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran disclosed this after a two-day interactive session held in Ibadan, the state capital on implementation of World Bank assisted Better Education Service Delivery For All (BESDA).
He also reiterated the state government’s resolve to effectively take off the street all out-of-school children and put them in public schools, adding that the programme would cater for hawkers and Almajiris in Oyo State.
“Despite all the hiccups, I strongly believe that the essence of BESDA, which is to effectively take all the out-of-school children off the streets and draw them back to schools, will be accomplished in Oyo State”, the SUBEB boss expressed optimism.
Expressing displeasure on the outrageous number of out-of-school children in the state, Dr. Adeniran further assured that the state government would ensure that a total of 62, 733 hawkers were taken back to school, while 107, 803 Almajiris would be taken off the streets in the Oke-Ogun region of the state.
He revealed that the Board had embarked on strategies that would ensure all out-of-school-children are returned to schools before year-2022.
“Oyo state as one of the participating states, would ensure that all out-of-school-children are brought back to schools within the years of the programme implementation in the country as a whole”.
The Chairman also promised that the Seyi Makinde led government would pay undivided attention to reduction in the number of out-of-school children, improve their literacy level and strengthen the education system.
Earlier his remarks, the Head, Coordination Support Team, BESDA, Mallam Iro Umar , alsonexpressed optimism that Oyo State has a good team to implement BESDA project.
He noted that the state, through Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, has met necessary parameters and has what it takes to drive the programme to a fruitful end.
Oyo State Government would receive an initial BESDA grant of $3Million, to kick off the programme in Ona-ara, Kajola, Surulere, Saki West, Akinyele, Olorunsogo, Iseyin, Saki East, Oyo West, Ogbomosho South, Ogbomosho North & Iwajowa.
Other Local Government Areas are, Ogo-Oluwa, Ibadan South East, Oriire, Oluyole, Afijio, Oyo West, Ibadan South East, Egbeda, Oreloope, Ibarapa Central and Ibadan North East.
The management of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, has scheduled the 2024/2025 matriculation ceremony for Thursday, March 27, 2025.
According to a statement by the University Registrar, Mrs. Olubunmi Siju’ Asunmo, the event will commence at 10:00 a.m. at the University Board of Trustees (BOT) Large Lecture Theatre and will be presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan.
The matriculation lecture will be delivered by Prof. Olatunde O. Fawole, a former Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and former Chairman of the Committee of Provosts and Deans at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso.
The university has urged all stakeholders, including Senate members, management staff, deans, directors, heads of departments, service divisions, faculty officers, and students’ representatives, to be seated by 9:30 a.m. prompt for a smooth event.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that the sale of the 2025 Direct Entry (DE) forms will commence on Wednesday, March 12.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, on Monday. He emphasized that the registration process is essential for individuals with degrees, diplomas, or A-level certificates seeking admission into their preferred universities.
“The initiation of the DE sales follows the successful conclusion of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) application sales, which ended on Saturday, March 8, 2025,” the statement read.
According to JAMB, a total of 2,030,627 candidates registered for the 2025 UTME, with 200,115 participating in the Mock-UTME and 630 in the trial mock examination.
The board warned prospective Direct Entry applicants to ensure they meet all entry requirements, as any false declaration of qualifications would attract serious penalties.
“A special committee will verify all submitted advanced-level qualifications, and any fraudulent results will lead to prosecution. Additionally, institutions are encouraged to directly verify certificates before considering admissions,” the board stated.
JAMB also clarified that registration for the Direct Entry process can only be done at designated JAMB Professional Registration Centres (PRCs).
As the registration date approaches, candidates are advised to adhere to all guidelines and ensure that their credentials are properly verified to avoid disqualification.
The Federal Government has officially adopted the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, as a Federal University of Education. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the transition on Friday, expressing gratitude to the Ogun State Government for inviting the Federal Government to take over one of the state’s most valued educational institutions.
The announcement was contained in a statement released by the Presidency on Sunday, highlighting the significance of TASUED’s transition and its alignment with national educational priorities.
“It is an opportunity for the Federal Government to honour Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who pioneered the revolutionary free education programme in Western Nigeria, and Dr Tai Solarin, who dedicated his life to educating our children and instilling patriotic and leadership values at Mayflower School in Ikenne,” President Tinubu was quoted as saying.
The President further acknowledged the Awujale of Ijebuland’s instrumental role in preventing TASUED’s closure in 2012, just seven years after its establishment. He described the transition as a strategic move aimed at strengthening teacher education and improving instructional quality nationwide.
“With a well-developed infrastructure and academic programme, the transition requires minimal federal investment,” the statement noted.
TASUED, established in 2005 by the Ogun State Government, holds the distinction of being Nigeria’s first specialised university of education. It was named in honour of Dr Tai Solarin, a renowned educationist and social reformer. The institution’s conversion into a federal university marks a historic milestone as the first federal tertiary institution in Ogun East Senatorial District, which includes Ijebu and Remo areas.
With this development, TASUED joins Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, and Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo, as Nigeria’s three federally owned universities dedicated to teacher education. The takeover underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and strengthening the foundation of Nigeria’s teaching workforce.
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