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

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.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A prominent Islamic scholar in Sokoto has delivered a blistering indictment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing the President of exploiting religious sentiment to secure the presidency in 2023 while abandoning the Muslim community and the Northern region he courted for votes.

Prof. Mansur Ibrahim Sokoto, a respected academic and cleric, used his Eid-el-Fitr sermon on Friday to launch a scathing critique of the administration, arguing that the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket that propelled Tinubu to power was nothing more than a cynical political maneuver devoid of any genuine commitment to Islamic interests or Northern development.

“Tinubu won the 2023 election using the Muslim-Muslim ticket, but today Muslims are suffering under his government,” Prof. Sokoto declared before a congregation in Sokoto. “It is clear he is not governing with the interests of Muslims or Islam in mind.”

The scholar took aim at the core promise implied by the same-faith ticket, asserting that nearly two years into the administration, the North—which delivered overwhelming support for the President—has received neither policy focus nor tangible development in return. He pointedly noted that the President’s priorities lie elsewhere, favoring his political base in the South-West where alliances transcend religious lines.

“The North, which is predominantly Muslim, is not his priority. What he appears to prioritise is Lagos, and even there, his political alliances cut across religious lines,” Prof. Mansur stated.

In a direct challenge to fellow religious leaders who continue to rally support for the President, the professor called for an end to mobilizing voters based on religious sentiment. He insisted that future political advocacy must be anchored in verifiable performance rather than shared faith.

He issued a stark challenge to the President’s defenders, demanding they justify their support with tangible evidence of progress.

“Anyone who wants to campaign for Tinubu should tell Nigerians what he has done—whether in education, healthcare, agriculture, business, the economy, or electricity,” he said. “But if there is nothing to point to, then Nigerians should be free to explore other options in the hope of finding relief.”

The cleric’s remarks have reignited a fierce debate over the role of faith in Nigeria’s electoral politics, a conversation that has grown increasingly volatile since the Muslim-Muslim ticket shattered traditional religious balancing norms during the 2023 general elections.