Education
Oyo: Royal spices academy gets hostel facility, graduates 87 students
An Ibadan-based government-approved academy dedicated to providing the highest level of culinary and hospitality instruction through world-class programmes, Royal Spices Academy, on Tuesday held its 2022/2023 graduation ceremony, which witnessed no fewer than 87 graduating students being conferred with diplomas and certificates.
A breakdown of the statistics of the graduating students indicated that 27 graduated with a Diploma in Culinary, 38 graduated with a Certificate in Culinary, 3 received Diploma in Cake Making and sugar craft, 16 graduated with a Certificate in Cake making and Sugar Craft, 1 graduated with a certificate in Hotel and Hospitality Management, 1 graduated with Diploma in Pastry and Finger Foods, while 2 got Certificate in Pastry and Finger Foods.
The academy also presented an award of excellence to an eminent Nigerian, Mrs. Titilayomi Ahmadu who has made several outstanding contributions in her field and the country at large.
Similarly, in recognition of their outstanding performances and behaviours, some graduating students were also awarded. This, according to the academy, is expected to encourage them in igniting their entrepreneurial instincts.
In her address at this year’s graduation ceremony, held at Apata, Ibadan, the Rector, and Chief Executive Officer of the Academy, Dr. Olufunmi Adegbile, noted that another progress worthy of mention is the acquisition of a hostel facility for students, adding that intending students from outside Oyo state can now have easy access to accommodation.
Congratulating all the graduates whose dreams of acquiring knowledge and skills at the academy had materialised, the banker turned entrepreneur, Adegbile, further tasked them to make a difference in the hospitality sector and contribute to the realising of the academy’s dream of positively impacting the society and economy.
“We have several reasons to be grateful on this special occasion because we are also celebrating 32 years of existence of the mother company, Royal Spices. We are rejoicing and thanking God for how far He has brought us. Another progress worthy of mention is the acquisition of a hostel facility for students, and intending students from outside Oyo state can now have easy access to accommodation.
“As we turn out a new set of graduates today, we believe that we are sending out great ambassadors who will go out and make a difference in the hospitality sector and contribute to the realising of our dream of positively impacting our society and economy”, she charged.
Also commenting at the event, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Eyiwunmi Olayinka, while delivering her lecture, titled,’ Navigating Entrepreneurial Landscapes,’ emphasised that the future belongs to those who can think like an entrepreneur with the “I can make it happen mindset”.
According to the senior lecturer in the Department of European Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, navigating entrepreneurial landscapes takes courage, passion, resilience, as well as a touch of excellence, noting that building the right relationships, identifying gaps, and filling such gaps, collaborating, being innovative and having the needed skills will make an entrepreneur to stand out and have a positive impact on the society.
The varsity Don urged the graduating students to dream big, have an entrepreneurial mindset, and think about how to inject newness into whatever they do.
“If you want to succeed in life, relationships matter. It is those who you know that will help you to the top. Relationships take 85% out of your success, make sure you find the right relationships to be successful. Competition is stiff out there, but if you have the right relationships, you’ll be successful,” she said.
Speaking further, Olayinka, maintained that information is key to success for an entrepreneur, adding that accessing the appropriate information about the business, environment, and people’s needs and also satisfying their needs is a way to stand out among competitors.
“Africa has the terrain to succeed if you know your way and do the right thing. Identify gaps and fill those gaps adequately. Give whatever you are doing your best and give it a touch of excellence; impact your environment and dream big.
“Obstacles will come your way, but if you develop an entrepreneurial mindset with tenacity and courage, you will overcome. Think of how you can inject newness into what you do. There is nothing you do that is new, but the idea you bring into it is the newness. Develop an entrepreneurial mindset, skills, knowledge, understand self emotional learning, problem-solving, time management, identify opportunities and collaborate,” the varsity don submitted.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in the state to embark on an indefinite strike over the continued abduction of teachers and pupils.
The strike, which takes effect from Monday, June 1, 2026, is expected to ground academic activities across public schools in the state.
The union said the action became imperative following what it described as growing insecurity in schools and the prolonged captivity of abducted teachers and pupils whose whereabouts remain unknown.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Oyo State Wing of the NUT, Hassan Fatai, and the Secretary, Salami Olukayode, the union expressed concerns over the psychological impact of the incidents on teachers, learners and parents.
According to the union, the lingering abduction cases have created fear and anxiety among teachers, weakened confidence in the safety of schools and discouraged many parents from sending their children to school.
The statement read in part, “The Nigeria Union of Teachers, Oyo State Wing, hereby directs all public primary and secondary school teachers across the state to commence an indefinite strike action effective from Monday, June 1, 2026, pending urgent and decisive action by relevant authorities on the abduction of teachers and pupils.”
The union explained that the industrial action was aimed at compelling the government and security agencies to intensify efforts toward the immediate and unconditional release of the victims.
It urged teachers across the state to comply fully with the directive, remain peaceful and law-abiding, and prioritise their safety while staying away from classrooms during the strike.
The NUT also expressed solidarity with the abducted victims and their families, assuring that it would continue to engage relevant authorities until the victims were safely rescued.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare, safety and security of teachers and pupils, stressing that the protection of school communities remained non-negotiable.
No fewer than 2,243,816 candidates on Thursday commenced the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board across accredited Computer-Based Test centres nationwide.
The figure represents a 10.5 per cent increase from the 2.03 million candidates recorded in 2025.
The examination, which began on April 16, is being conducted in about 1,000 CBT centres nationwide, with candidates scheduled in four daily sessions to reduce congestion and improve verification processes.
The board said it had deployed biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems to safeguard the integrity of the exercise, noting that candidates whose biometric details could not be authenticated would be rescheduled.
Candidates were advised to print their examination slips from the JAMB portal to confirm their schedules and arrive at least one hour before their examination time.
Under the revised timetable, first-session candidates are expected at 7:00 a.m., followed by 9:00 a.m. for the second session, 11:00 a.m. for the third session, and 2:00 p.m. for the final session.
JAMB disclosed that Lagos State recorded the highest number of registered candidates with 381,814, followed by Ogun with 137,156 and Oyo with 122,662. Kaduna recorded 103,498 candidates, while the Federal Capital Territory had 102,961.
Other states include Rivers with 105,584 candidates and Kano with 83,167, while Borno and Zamfara recorded the lowest figures with 13,483 and 14,861 candidates respectively.
Outside Nigeria, participation remained low, with Côte d’Ivoire recording 32 candidates, followed by Equatorial Guinea with 16, Burkina Faso with 14, and the United Kingdom with 12 candidates.
As part of efforts to enhance efficiency, the board increased the number of CBT centres but delisted 23 centres across several states, including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Edo, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, over technical deficiencies observed during the mock examination.
The board said the action was necessary to maintain operational standards and ensure the credibility of the examination process.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force dismissed reports of insecurity at some centres, describing such claims as unfounded.
The police said it had deployed additional personnel, including patrol teams, perimeter surveillance units and rapid response squads, to ensure the safety of candidates nationwide.
The force added that it was collaborating with other security agencies to monitor the exercise and respond swiftly to any threats.
It assured parents and candidates of adequate security, urging candidates to comply with examination guidelines, arrive early and report suspicious activities.
The police also advised the public to disregard unverified information on social media and rely on official communication channels.
JAMB reiterated its commitment to transparency, warning candidates against accepting admissions outside its Central Admissions Processing System.
It stressed that any admission conducted outside CAPS would be considered illegal and would not be recognised.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has delisted 23 Computer-Based Test centres nationwide following technical deficiencies recorded during the 2026 mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The Board disclosed this in a bulletin issued on Friday and signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, as preparations intensify for the 2026 UTME scheduled to hold across the country from April 16 to April 25.
According to JAMB, the mock examination was designed to assess operational readiness and identify centres that failed to meet the required technical standards.
“Following the conduct of the 2026 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, the Board has delisted 23 Computer-Based Test centres for technical deficiencies,” the statement read.
The Board added that several centres with minor issues had been placed on notice, warning that continued non-compliance could lead to further sanctions. It also stated that one centre would no longer be used for any of its examinations.
JAMB disclosed that a total of 2,243,816 candidates registered for the 2026 UTME, with Lagos recording 321,814 candidates, Kaduna 303,498, the Federal Capital Territory 302,963, and Ogun 137,156.
To improve accessibility and logistics, the Board said it increased the number of approved examination centres to 1,000 nationwide, up from fewer than 800 in 2025.
However, an internal review conducted after the mock exercise revealed that some centres failed to meet operational and technical benchmarks, prompting their removal from the approved list.
The delisting followed reports of widespread technical glitches during the mock examination, including network failures, system malfunctions and delayed commencement of tests in several locations. Some candidates and parents also complained about hours-long waiting periods at affected centres.
The affected centres are located in Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo and Plateau states.
Among the delisted centres are Micben Seat of Wisdom Academy, Ukwa West, Abia; Bishop Crowther Seminary CBT Centre, Awka, and The Oracle Lens, Nnokwa, Anambra; Derby’s Young ICT Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa; Avid ICT Solutions CBT Centre, Asaba, Delta; and Daniet Global Resources CBT Centre, Benin City, Edo.
Others include De-Lite CBT Centre, Maitama, Abuja; Florin High School CBT Centre, Ejigbo; Folbob CBT Centre, Lakowe; Great Kezino College CBT Centre, Ikorodu; Obans CBT Centre, Ikorodu; and Teesas Learning and CBT Centre, Lekki, all in Lagos.
Also affected are Braingate Model Schools CBT Centre, Arepo, and Greenhills Academy CBT Centre, Itele, Ogun State; Oduduwa University CBT Centre, Ile-Ife, Osun State; Lasting Glory Schools CBT Centre, Ibadan; Nesam International School CBT Centre, Ibadan; SAF Polytechnic CBT Centre, Iseyin, Oyo State; and Rabjib Computer Academy, Jos, Plateau State.
JAMB stated that the decision formed part of efforts to safeguard the integrity of its examination process and ensure that only centres that meet its operational requirements are used for the main UTME.
The Board assured candidates that necessary measures had been put in place to ensure a smooth conduct of the examination nationwide.
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