Tinubu unveils four-year action plan to end child labour

President Bola Tinubu has declared the elimination of child labour a national development priority, stressing that the menace poses serious challenges to education, poverty reduction, economic growth, food security, human capital development and national security.

Tinubu made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja at the National Dialogue on Advancing the Implementation of Nigeria’s National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan 2026–2030.

The event also featured the launch of the 2024 National Child Labour Survey Report.

The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr George Akume, said his administration would intensify efforts to address the root causes of child labour and protect children from exploitation.

According to a statement by Akume’s media aide, Yomi Odunuga, Tinubu said the Federal Government would strengthen labour administration and inspection systems as part of measures to curb child labour across the country.

He added that the government would also reinforce child protection mechanisms and implement interventions aimed at tackling poverty, unemployment, inadequate access to quality education and social exclusion, which he identified as some of the factors driving child labour.

The President identified education as one of the strongest safeguards against child labour, noting that children who have access to quality education are better protected from exploitative work and other vulnerabilities.

He said the administration was implementing reforms targeted at reducing the number of out-of-school children, improving education data, strengthening teacher development and expanding skills acquisition opportunities.

Tinubu further highlighted the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme as another intervention aimed at encouraging school attendance and supporting vulnerable children.

According to him, the programme would help address hunger and nutritional challenges among children from vulnerable households while creating an environment that encourages them to remain in school.

The President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan 2026 to 2030 as part of broader efforts to protect children and promote sustainable national development…///

WASSCE Result Verification Fee Now at N4,000

Candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions will now pay a one-time fee of N4,000 to verify their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) have announced.

The clarification was made in a joint statement released by JAMB and WAEC on Tuesday after discussions over the newly introduced system for remote uploading and verification of O’Level results.

Under the new arrangement, candidates whose admissions are handled by JAMB will verify their WAEC results once through the board. The verified result will then be sent to the institution where the candidate is seeking admission.

JAMB and WAEC said candidates would not have to pay any additional verification fee to their chosen institutions.

The examination bodies also instructed tertiary institutions to use the verified results sent by JAMB for admission screening, processing and other related activities.

The development follows JAMB’s introduction of a system that allows candidates to upload and verify their O’Level results from home or any location with internet access.

The new process removes the need for candidates to visit JAMB-approved Computer-Based Test centres solely to verify their results.

JAMB said the system was initially introduced for WAEC results and would allow it to confirm candidates’ results directly with the relevant examination bodies.

The initiative is part of efforts to make admission services faster, safer and more convenient for candidates.

Following Tuesday’s clarification, JAMB and WAEC confirmed that result verification through JAMB will only be done once, with the verified result available for use by the relevant institution.

WAEC has also given JAMB permission to forward the verification outcome to the tertiary institutions concerned.

The two agencies said the arrangement would prevent candidates from having to undergo and pay for separate result verification processes at different institutions after completing the verification through JAMB.

Bill Gates Warns AI Could Permanently Eliminate Millions of Jobs

Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates, has warned that the world’s transition into the artificial intelligence era could rank among the most disruptive periods in human history.

He said governments were failing to do enough to prepare for the widespread job losses and social and economic disruptions that could result from the rapid advancement of AI.

Gates made the remarks in a more than 6,000-word essay titled “The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make now are critical,” published on his Gates Notes website on Wednesday.

According to him, AI could either help narrow global inequality or widen the gap between the wealthy and the poor, depending on how governments, businesses and societies manage its rapid growth.

“In terms of equity, AI will either be the greatest equalizer ever invented, or the worst source of injustice.

“The challenge is monumental. Even under the best circumstances, the transition to this new AI era will be one of the most turbulent times in human history,” he wrote.

Gates argued that the world was already lagging in preparing for the changes AI could bring, saying governments, experts and communities had not fully addressed the scale of the potential disruption.

“Unfortunately, right now we are not preparing for it. I don’t see evidence that leaders, experts, and communities are confronting the challenges adequately. There is no plan to ease the entry into the AI era,” he stated.

He said the rapid deployment of AI sets it apart from previous technological breakthroughs, which took considerably longer to transform workplaces.

“When the PC came along, it took 20 years to significantly change how we worked because the software had to be developed, the price had to come down, and people had to learn how to use the tools and incorporate them into their business processes.

“AI, on the other hand, runs on the devices we already have, and it uses natural language. We don’t have to adapt to it because it can adapt to us. It can watch the same training video that is used to train human workers and learn from existing data,” he hinted.

Gates listed widespread job losses among the three major threats posed by the AI transition, warning that the disruption could result in permanent changes to the labour market.

“Many jobs will disappear forever,” he wrote.

He said entry-level and mid-level workers could face the greatest risks, while many of the new roles created by AI may demand specialised skills that could take years to develop.

“AI may not reach this level, but its impact will not go away with an economic cycle. The jobs at most risk are entry- and mid-level, and the new jobs being created will mostly require skills that take many years to learn.”

Gates added that the effects of AI would not be limited to conventional technology and office-based jobs.

He further cautioned that blue-collar workers could eventually face similar disruption as advances in robotics accelerate, adding that he was especially concerned about young people preparing to enter the labour market.

According to Gates, the scale of the disruption could compel societies to rethink the traditional link between employment, income and economic security.

ASUU Gives FG, States 14-Day Ultimatum Over 21 Universities

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has given the Federal and state governments 14 days to address unresolved issues affecting 21 universities or face possible industrial action.

The decision was reached at the union’s National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9, 2026.

In a statement signed by ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, the union directed affected university branches to issue a 14-day ultimatum before commencing processes for strike action.

ASUU accused the Federal and state governments of failing to implement the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement.

The union also announced plans to convene an emergency NEC meeting by the end of August or early September to review developments and determine further action.

Among the affected institutions are Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai; University of Medical Sciences, Ondo; Gombe State University; Plateau State University, Bokkos; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Abia State University, Uturu; and University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa.

FG Highlights Six Youth Empowerment Programmes, Urges Nigerians to Take Advantage

The Federal Government has highlighted several youth empowerment and employment programmes designed to provide Nigerian youths with access to jobs, digital skills, education funding and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The programmes, which are being implemented through various government agencies, include digital work opportunities, student loans, paid work placements, technical training and support for young people in the creative sector.

Among them is the NiYA Gig Digital Work Platform, a government-backed platform designed to connect Nigerians with freelance and digital work opportunities locally and internationally, with payments made in naira.

Another initiative is the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, which provides interest-free student loans to eligible Nigerians. The scheme covers tuition payments and provides upkeep support, while repayment begins two years after the completion of NYSC, subject to the beneficiary securing employment.

The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, NJFP, offers young graduates a 12-month paid work placement with participating organisations, with beneficiaries receiving a monthly stipend.

The government also listed the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme, LEEP, which targets the creation of millions of jobs through employment opportunities, digital training, vocational education and access to global remote work.

The 3 Million Technical Talent Programme, 3MTT, provides free training in technology-related fields, including artificial intelligence, data science and software development, for Nigerians seeking to develop careers in the digital economy.

Also highlighted is the SMEDAN Creative and Garment Studios, which provides training and resources for young designers, tailors and other creatives within Nigeria’s fashion and creative economy.

The government is encouraging young Nigerians to explore these programmes and make use of available opportunities, stressing that access to many of the initiatives does not require political connections.

Eligible Nigerians are advised to verify the official programme websites and application requirements before submitting their applications.

JAMB Gets New Registrar as Oloyede Hands Over to Aina Today

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will today witness a change in leadership as its outgoing Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, formally hands over to his successor, Prof. Segun Aina.

The official handover ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, and will be streamed live on JAMB’s official social media platforms.

The transition marks the end of Prof. Oloyede’s tenure as Registrar, which expires on July 31, and the beginning of Prof. Aina’s administration at the nation’s examination body.

The appointment of Prof. Aina was earlier announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

NYSC reforms: Adire fabric to replace khaki as uniform

The Federal Government has announced plans to replace the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) traditional khaki uniform with Adire fabric as part of ongoing reforms aimed at promoting Nigerian culture and supporting locally made products.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, made the announcement on Thursday, explaining that the decision is part of broader government efforts to strengthen local production and ensure that public spending contributes directly to the growth of Nigeria’s economy.

According to the minister, the proposed Adire uniforms will be produced locally. He noted that the fabric is already widely manufactured across different parts of the country, making it a practical choice for large-scale production.

Olawande added that the initiative is expected to boost indigenous industries, particularly Nigeria’s textile sector, while creating more opportunities for local artisans and encouraging government-backed patronage of homegrown products.

The minister also revealed that, in response to security concerns in some parts of the country, the Federal Government is considering deploying prospective corps members to states where they studied and are already familiar with the environment, especially in areas affected by insecurity.

Pay row: FG meets SSANU, NASU leadership Wednesday

The Federal Government has invited the leadership of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions to a meeting on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in a bid to avert the looming strike by the two university-based unions.

The strike threat followed the ongoing row on the proposed 30 per cent pay rise for the unions, announced by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.

In a letter earlier addressed to the National Universities Commission, National Commission for Colleges of Education and National Board for Technical Education, announced a 30 per cent pay rise in salaries of non-academics in Federal Government-controlled universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

The Joint Action Committee of SSANU and the NASU demanded that the government withdraw the controversial letter allegedly approving the 30 per cent salary increase or risk a nationwide shutdown of public universities.

In a letter signed by the Secretary General of the JAC, Peters Adeyemi, and President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, on behalf of the unions, the workers described the development as shocking and unacceptable.

Environmental Officials Visit Ogun School Over Suspected Chemical Leak

The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, alongside the general manager of the State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Kehinde Bello, on Tuesday visited Our Lady of Apostle Primary School in Ijebu-Ode following a suspected chemical leak in the area.

Last week Wednesday, a strange chemical smell was perceived in the school premises, shortly after the assembly session making it difficult for many students and staff to breathe.

This resulted to the admission of 30 students and two teachers at the State General Hospital, Ijebu Ode.

Reacting to the incident, Governor Dapo Abiodun ordered the immediate closure and full investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Tuesday’s visit was part of the state government response to assess the situation and ensure the safety of students, staff, and residents within the affected environment.

During the inspection, Kehinde Bello also visited a neighbouring school, Sacred Heart Catholic College, to evaluate the impact of the incident and reassure the school authorities of the government’s swift intervention.