By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government is set to introduce Learner Identification Number, LIN, for school children right from primary school level to be able to track their academic progress, as they continue their education journey.

The innovation is part of what the Federal Ministry of Education is working on to improve the sector and also allow for higher completion rate for pupils moving from basic education level to senior secondary school level.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Saturday during an interactive session with some journalists in Lagos.

“We have over 50,000 public primary schools in the country with over 23 million pupils. However, from statistics available to us, only a little over 3 million among those pupils move to the junior secondary school level in our public schools, then the question is, where are the about 20 million not enrolled in our public secondary schools? It is obvious that we cannot say our private schools accommodate all of them.

“The issue is simply lack of access and we are working on that. There is need to build more schools and I have met the Nigerian Governors’ Forum over that. State governments need to build more schools to accommodate more pupils and students.

“To also follow up on our pupils and students, we are introducing the Learner Identification Number right from primary school level for our children. It will be unique to each child and they will have the number no matter where they started schooling or later transferred to. If somebody is expected to be in JSS class one and he is not there, we will be able to know the reason why he is not continuing his education,” he said.

Alausa also said the government would soon phase out common entrance examination for pupils moving from primary school level to junior secondary school level.

“It will be replaced by Continuous Assessment, CA. The CA will reflect the performance of the pupil from primary one and even if a pupil is transferring from one school to another, he will take it along to his new school,” he explained.

The Minister added that efforts are on to resuscitate the school feeding programme, so as to attract more pupils to the nation’s public schools.

He gave the hint that the programme would be transferred from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to the FME for property monitoring.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticized the £746 million port rehabilitation agreement signed by President Bola Tinubu during his recent state visit to the United Kingdom, describing it as a “mugu” deal—a Nigerian slang term for a foolish or exploitative arrangement—that disproportionately benefits the British economy while saddling Nigeria with significant debt.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC argued that the agreement, which aims to rehabilitate the Tin Can and Apapa ports in Lagos, effectively functions as a commercial loan designed to channel Nigerian funds toward the preservation of UK industries.

“While the APC government has tried to pass off the deal as President Tinubu’s major achievement, it is in fact an achievement of the UK Government, which, through this deal, has managed to save its steel industry, protect thousands of UK jobs, and get Nigeria to pay for it,” the statement read.

According to details cited by the ADC from the UK Government’s official website, the agreement is structured through UK Export Finance’s (UKEF) Buyer Credit Facility, arranged by Citibank, N.A., London Branch. The party noted that such facilities are typically used to finance the procurement of UK goods and services.

The ADC highlighted specific contractual obligations, noting that at least £236 million of the total will be awarded to British companies. Additionally, British Steel is set to supply 120,000 tonnes of steel billets under a £70 million contract, described by UKEF as its largest export order of its kind.

The party expressed alarm that Nigeria appears to be assuming substantial debt to fund foreign industrial interests. The ADC called on the Federal Government to provide full transparency regarding the agreement, demanding details on interest rates, repayment terms, local content provisions, job creation for Nigerians, and skills transfer requirements.

“If the APC government has answers to these questions, it should make them available to Nigerians,” the statement added. “Otherwise, Nigerians are justified in concluding that, 66 years after independence, President Bola Tinubu has travelled to London to sign an agreement that resembles a colonial-era treaty, one that risks mortgaging the country’s future for limited value and symbolism.”

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has pushed back against speculation that he is planning to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asserting that he is in no rush to leave the platform despite internal turbulence within the opposition party.

Speaking with journalists, the governor acknowledged that the PDP is facing what he called “existential problems,” but expressed confidence that the challenges can be resolved.

“We have some existential problems within the political space, but as leaders, we try to manage it,” Mohammed said.

His remarks come amid persistent rumors linking him to a possible move to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The speculation has intensified in recent weeks as political realignments and defections gather pace ahead of the 2027 elections.

Mohammed moved to reassure his supporters, emphasizing that he remains committed to a collective political direction.

“I want to assure my supporters within the PDP and outside that I will not take them astray. We will make sure we provide a way for all of us,” he said.

Highlighting the fluid nature of politics, the governor hinted at the strategic considerations that shape major political decisions, though he stopped short of confirming any plan to defect.

“Politics is dynamic. We can be anywhere, but certainly we will not be stupid. We are strategic,” he added.

Mohammed’s comments underscore the broader uncertainty within the PDP, which has struggled with internal divisions and leadership disputes since the 2023 general elections. The turmoil has triggered a wave of defections and fueled speculation about further realignments.

While no formal move has been announced, the governor’s remarks appear aimed at steadying his political base and pushing back against the narrative of an imminent departure.

Political observers note that while defections are common in Nigeria’s pre-election season, Mohammed’s emphasis on caution and strategy suggests he is carefully weighing his options rather than acting impulsively.

For now, the governor remains in the PDP, even as speculation about his next political step continues to swirl.