The MoU aims to train young Nigerians on the latest 4G/5G radio and transmission technologies at the Nigerian Communications Commission’s Digital Parks.

Dr. Maida, accompanied by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijanni, signed the MoU earlier this week.

Under the agreement, Nokia Nigeria will establish a fully functional 5G/4G test lab, leveraging its latest radio and transmission technologies.

This collaboration, according to the NCC, aligns with its vision to enhance the capacity and skillset of Nigerians, equipping them with contemporary skills and knowledge needed to adapt to the rapidly evolving telecommunications industry.

The Commission stated that this development is in line with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy’s goal to drive digital literacy and build a pipeline of technical talent across Nigeria.

Additionally, Nokia Nigeria will implement an Entrepreneur Learning Programme, delivering high-quality vocational training to 200 Nigerian students selected from across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The minister stated this in an interview on CTV’s Question Period.

Miller emphasized the need for discussions with provincial governments to address the “disconcerting” volume of international students, stating that the system had become “out of control.”

The move comes after Canada raised the “cost-of-living financial requirement for study permit applicants,” impacting international students, from $10,000 to $20,000 starting January 1, 2024.

Miller acknowledged the criticism faced by the Canadian government for the surge in both permanent and temporary residents amid a housing shortage.

Internal documents obtained by The Canadian Press revealed warnings from public servants two years ago that ambitious immigration targets could jeopardize housing affordability.

The government aims to bring in 485,000 immigrants in 2024, with targets of 500,000 in 2025 and 2026.

Miller indicated that a potential cap on international students would be explored in the first and second quarters of the year to address housing demand.

He emphasized the need for federal-level discussions before delving into specifics at the provincial level and considering the impact on academic institutions profiting from increased international student enrollments.

While housing is a concern, Miller highlighted that a cap on international students wouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all solution and that workforce demographics, particularly reducing the average age, must also be considered.

The federal government is actively considering a cap on international students, with discussions ongoing around negotiating tables with provincial counterparts and taking into account the financial needs of academic institutions.

Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, made this plea during a meeting with the Congress of University Academics.

In a statement released by Ben Goong, the Director of Press and Public Relations, the Minister emphasized that demonstrating restraint was in the best interest of all stakeholders and crucial for maintaining system stability.

The Ministry of Education is actively engaged in constructive dialogues and consultations with various stakeholders to address issues related to student welfare, staff well-being, and infrastructure development within tertiary institutions.

The Minister acknowledged that prolonged strikes and the underutilization of educational facilities could lead to rapid infrastructural deterioration.

He assured that President Bola Tinubu was committed to taking every possible step to prevent situations that might result in strikes.

The President of CONUA, Niyi Sunmonu, expressed concern about the potential for student unrest due to recent increases in school fees.

He pointed out that this could disrupt academic activities and the academic calendar. Sunmonu also highlighted the need to revisit the issue of eight-month salary arrears resulting from the previous strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, emphasizing that CONUA members did not participate in the strike.

The statement added: “It must be noted, however, that all academic activities in universities were grounded throughout the period of the strike.”

The announcement was made during a courtesy visit to the First Lady of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja by Ms. Gloria Akobundu, the National Coordinator of NEPAD, and Mr. Obinna Obiwulu, the Director of Communications for the African School of Economics.

The partnership aligns with the National Scholarship Programme, NASP, Tertiary Education, which was recently launched by Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Education access is one of the First Lady’s key passions, and this collaboration aims to provide opportunities for Nigerian students to receive entrepreneurial education, addressing the common trend where many graduates wait for white-collar jobs after completing their tertiary education.

Senator Tinubu emphasized the importance of entrepreneurial education in the current era, stating that without innovation, many individuals may struggle to find employment.

She commended the initiative and noted that entrepreneurship-driven education is well thought out, drawing a parallel to Princeton University’s founder’s vision.

Ms. Akobundu highlighted the NEPAD strategic partnership, focusing on various sectors in line with AUDA-NEPAD’s objective of accelerating economic empowerment for women.

She stressed that NEPAD has a history of collaborating with both public and private sectors to promote governance, development, and economic growth, making it an ideal partner for the Renewed Hope Initiative.

Under the banner of “Sen. Remi Tinubu’s Scholarship Fund,” AUDA-NEPAD, in partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative, will provide scholarships to 200 young Nigerians.

The project aims to offer equal opportunities for access to world-class tertiary education standards, providing a pathway to excellence for Nigerian youth.

NEPAD, now transformed into the African Union Development Agency (AUDA), emerged from a pledge by African leaders to eradicate poverty on the continent.

It focuses on economic development and resource mobilization, aligning with the mission of the Renewed Hope Initiative to uplift and empower Nigerian youth through education

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos hosted pre-departure orientations for these students, as stated in a statement released by the mission on Monday.

EducationUSA is a global network of more than 430 international student advising centers supported by the U.S. Department of State.

These centers offer valuable information and guidance on the higher education admissions process in the United States.

During the send-off ceremonies, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Rolf Olson, Counselor for Public Affairs Adnan Siddiqi, and Lagos Public Affairs Officer Joseph Kruzich congratulated the students and expressed their well-wishes for their upcoming educational journey.

This development was announced during a press conference in Abuja, where Andrew David Adejo, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education disclosed that a committee comprising various ministries and agencies, as approved by President Tinubu, has been tasked with ensuring the successful realization of the recently assented Students Loan Bill.

Sponsored by the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Student Loan Bill aims to provide interest-free loans to financially disadvantaged Nigerian students.

Its primary objective is to facilitate easier access to higher education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, as stated by the Permanent Secretary.

Adejo emphasized that the establishment of the Higher Education Nigerian Bank, in line with the provisions of the bill, will ensure that all Nigerians have the opportunity to pursue higher education.

Notably, the bank will not solely focus on loan applications but will also carry out regular banking functions while guaranteeing the disbursement of loans. Adejo emphasized that the mistakes of previous loan recovery cases have been taken into account, and the newly established bank will streamline the loan process accordingly.

The committee, comprised of relevant ministries and agencies, is scheduled to convene on June 20th to discuss the necessary procedures outlined in the Student Loan Bill.

Yusuf achieved an outstanding CGPA of 5.00, earning a First Class Honours degree.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, disclosed this information during the convocation press conference held on Wednesday.

The event will also commemorate the institution’s 40th anniversary, established in 1983.

Additionally, Olatunji-Bello announced that Divine Lopez, from the Department of Physiology at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, achieved a CGPA of 4.91 and was recognized as the best graduating student for the 2020/2021 academic session, also earning a First Class Honours degree.

The convocation ceremony, scheduled for June 20, 2023, will feature a lecture titled ‘The impact of digitisation on higher education in the digital age,’ delivered by Mr. Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of the Trust Fund.

Furthermore, the Vice-Chancellor revealed that eight distinguished Nigerians would be awarded honorary doctorate degrees during the convocation.

The recipients include former Governor Babatunde Fashola, Oba Alayeluwa Ademola Elegushi, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Chief of Staff Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, Oba Suleiman Ashade, and Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.

This landmark legislation, which was eagerly awaited by students across Nigeria, promises to revolutionize the higher education landscape in the country.

Dele Alake, an aide to the president, made the announcement to State House Correspondents during a press briefing held on Monday evening.

The signing of the bill signifies the government’s commitment to providing financial assistance to Nigerian students pursuing higher education.

Under the provisions of the newly enacted law, Nigerian students will now have the opportunity to avail themselves of loans at interest-free rates.

This crucial provision aims to alleviate the burden of exorbitant interest rates that often hindered students from pursuing their academic aspirations.

The Student Loan Bill had already gained substantial momentum within the legislative process, having successfully passed the second reading at the House of Representatives on May 25, 2023.

Its passage through the various stages of deliberation underscores the widespread recognition of the importance of higher education and the need for accessible financial support for students.

With this law in effect, aspiring Nigerian students can now be optimistic about their chances of securing financial assistance to pursue their educational goals.

President Bola Tinubu’s decisive action in signing this bill demonstrates the government’s commitment to empowering the nation’s youth and investing in their future.

From March 2022 to March 2023, a total of 66,796 dependant visas were issued, showing a remarkable growth of 146.1 percent compared to the previous year’s figure of 27,137 dependants who migrated to the UK from March 2021 to March 2022, The Punch reports.

This data release is noteworthy as it comes at a time when successive Conservative governments have pledged to reduce immigration numbers, particularly in the aftermath of Brexit.

Brexit was advocated by its proponents as a necessary measure for the UK to regain control of its borders.

The Home Office further disclosed that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, had the highest number of dependants of sponsored study visa holders, experiencing a significant increase of 146.1 percent to reach 66,796 in the year ending March 2023, compared to 27,137 in the year ending March 2022.

Indian nationals had the second highest number of dependants, with their figure rising from 22,598 to 42,381.

The data also revealed that approximately 73 percent of visas issued to dependants of students were given to individuals from these two nationalities (Indians and Nigerians).

The migration of Nigerian students to overseas institutions has continued to benefit foreign tertiary institutions and their respective countries.

For instance, in 2021, Nigerian students and their dependants studying in the United Kingdom contributed an estimated £1.9 billion to the UK economy, according to a report by SBM intelligence.

However, the UK has recently announced its intention to ban foreign students from bringing dependants to the country starting from January 2024.

The Home Office Secretary, Suella Braverman, proposed several policies for immigrant students, including the ban on dependants unless they are on postgraduate research programs.

Additionally, foreign students will no longer be able to switch from the student route to work routes for staying in the UK before completing their studies.

Furthermore, efforts will be made to crack down on unscrupulous education agents who may support inappropriate applications focused on immigration rather than genuine education.

The UK government aims to reduce immigration into the country, which currently stands at approximately one million, according to a report by Sky News.

Under the new rule, international students will no longer be permitted to switch from the student route to work routes before completing their studies, in order to prevent misuse of the visa system.

Sky News also reported that there will be a thorough examination of the maintenance requirement for students and their dependents, as well as a crackdown on unscrupulous education agents who exploit inappropriate applications for the purpose of immigration rather than genuine education.

These changes will come into effect in January 2024, allowing students who are starting their courses in the UK sufficient time to plan and adapt to the new regulations.

In a ministerial statement released on Tuesday and obtained by Sky News, Home Secretary Suella Braverman highlighted that recent immigration data had revealed an unexpected increase in the number of dependents accompanying international students to the UK.