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WAEC releases 2025 Private candidates results, 42.17% secure 5 credits

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WAEC releases 2025 Private candidates results, 42.17% secure 5 credits

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the 2025 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for private candidates.

The examination, which was the second series of the computer-based WASSCE for private candidates, was conducted between Tuesday, 11 November and Wednesday, 17 December 2025.

In a statement issued by WAEC’s Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, a total of 65,752 candidates sat for the examination at 370 centres across the country. Of this number, 32,005 candidates, representing 48.68 per cent, were males, while 33,747, representing 51.32 per cent, were females.

The statement also disclosed that 235 candidates who registered for the examination had varying degrees of Special Needs. “Out of this number, three were visually impaired, 24 had impaired hearing, and three were Albinos,” the statement said.

WAEC further explained that the coordination of examiners and marking of scripts took place at seven marking venues located in Lagos, Ibadan, Benin, Enugu, Uyo, Jos and Kaduna. The exercise was held from Wednesday, 14 January, to Tuesday, 3 February, with a total of 3,361 examiners participating.

According to the council, results of 61,943 candidates, representing 94.21 per cent, have been released. The remaining 3,809 results, representing 5.79 per cent, are still being processed due to “some errors traceable to them”.

On performance, WAEC stated that 27,727 candidates, representing 42.17 per cent, obtained at least a credit in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics. It added that 33,989 candidates, representing 51.69 per cent, secured at least a credit in a minimum of five subjects, with or without English Language and Mathematics.

“Candidates may check their results by visiting www.waecdirect.org to ascertain their status before visiting the Digital Certificate platform (www.waec.org) to access the digital copies of their certificates, which have been released along with the results,” the statement added.

WAEC began implementing CBT for private candidates in 2024 with 8,285 candidates. The council also announced that from this year, it will transition the WASSCE for school and private candidates to CBT, following a directive by Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who said the move was to curb examination malpractice.

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AGILE to train 156 service providers, expand cash support in Bauchi

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AGILE to train 156 service providers, expand cash support in Bauchi

The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project in Bauchi State is set to train 156 technical service providers on environmental and social safeguards to strengthen the implementation of its activities across the state.

The State Project Coordinator, Hajiya Ladi Mohammed Hamma, disclosed this during a media briefing on the progress of the project. She explained that the technical service providers include civil engineers, architects, quantity surveyors and environmental experts who will serve as professional guides for building and renovation works under the project.

Hamma said the project had been awaiting approval from the World Bank before conducting the training. “We have now received clearance, and the training will commence next Thursday,” she said.

She also gave updates on the construction of new schools across the 20 local government areas of the state. According to her, all necessary processes have been completed, and the project is awaiting approval of prototype designs and site specifications from the World Bank. She noted that approval is expected before the end of the month, after which advertisement, tendering and bidding processes will begin.

The coordinator further stated that AGILE plans to renovate 1,203 secondary schools across Bauchi State. She explained that the renovation has been delayed pending the training of technical service providers, which is a requirement before fieldwork can start.

Hamma revealed that 12,133 beneficiaries in 100 schools are already benefiting from the project’s conditional cash transfer scheme. Each beneficiary has received N40,000 directly credited to their bank accounts. She said a few beneficiaries are yet to receive their ATM cards, adding that distribution is ongoing through FCMB’s Jos branch. “All beneficiaries will receive their ATM cards before the end of the week,” she assured.

According to her, each girl will receive N60,000 under the scheme. She explained that N15,000 is for registration and N25,000 is for transition support in the first term, making N40,000 already disbursed. Beneficiaries who maintain at least 70 per cent attendance will receive N10,000 per term until they complete junior or senior secondary school.

Hamma said AGILE is expanding from 100 to 200 schools and aims to enrol 40,000 beneficiaries in the second cohort. She appealed to parents to ensure their wards obtain a National Identification Number (NIN) and birth certificates, as well as parents’ NIN and BVN, to enable account processing. She clarified that application forms are given directly to beneficiaries and urged parents to use the funds strictly for educational purposes, reaffirming AGILE’s commitment to improving access to quality education for adolescent girls in Bauchi State.

Bauchi Gov Launches 2025–2026 Dry-Season Farming Programme

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Bauchi Gov Launches 2025–2026 Dry-Season Farming Programme

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on Monday launched the 2025–2026 dry-season farming programme in Misau, declaring agriculture the cornerstone of the state’s food security, job creation, and economic prosperity agenda.

Speaking at the event, the governor said Bauchi’s agrarian strength has shaped deliberate reforms since 2019. He listed key actions taken by his administration, including the revival of extension services, fertilizer subsidy of up to 40 percent, mechanisation support, and the reactivation of the state’s fertilizer blending plant.

Governor Mohammed also disclosed plans to procure hundreds of additional tractors to boost productivity. He said the government would strengthen a transparent hiring system to ensure smallholder farmers can access equipment fairly. He added that irrigation would be expanded to make farming a year-round enterprise across the state.

The governor highlighted youth and women empowerment through skills acquisition programmes and strategic partnerships with the World Bank and international firms. He said science-based farming practices driven by soil mapping and climate information would improve yields and sustainability.

He assured farmers of improved security, better storage facilities, and cooperative-driven interventions to ensure farm inputs reach genuine beneficiaries.

Urging communities to protect public assets and use land responsibly, the governor emphasized peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.

“Today, we are not just planting crops,” he said. “We are planting prosperity and building a peaceful, food-secure Bauchi.”

FG to Use PHCs for Food Support to Pregnant Women, Children

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FG to Use PHCs for Food Support to Pregnant Women, Children

The Federal Government has announced plans to deploy Nigeria’s network of more than 13,000 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) to deliver nutritious food support to vulnerable pregnant women and children under six.

The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muyi Aina, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while outlining the operational framework of the newly launched National Community Food Bank intervention.

Aina explained that the health-integrated social protection programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Eight-Point Agenda. He stressed that the intervention would not operate as a standalone food distribution scheme, but as a structured extension of maternal and child health services delivered at PHCs across the country.

According to him, trained health workers will assess pregnant women and mothers of young children who visit health facilities, determine their vulnerability status, and enrol eligible beneficiaries into a digital database linked to their National Identification Number (NIN).

“Only those assessed as vulnerable within the health system will receive vouchers for monthly food supplies,” he said.

He added that the vouchers would be redeemable at community food banks located close to PHCs to ensure easy access and reduce the risk of diversion.

The NPHCDA boss noted that integrating food support with antenatal care, immunisation services and child growth monitoring would improve nutrition outcomes, strengthen early childhood development and enhance school readiness.

“This is about protecting Nigeria’s future human capital. Nutrition begins from pregnancy, and the health system provides the most reliable platform to reach mothers and children,” he said.

Aina further stated that the initiative would stimulate local economies, as food items would be sourced from local farmers and fishermen through the Bank of Agriculture, linking agriculture directly to health and social investment.

To ensure accountability, he said beneficiaries would be tracked digitally, while performance and financial management officers, alongside community-based committees, would monitor implementation to minimise leakages.

He emphasised that community ownership would be central to the programme’s success and urged traditional and religious leaders to promote transparency and ensure that only eligible mothers and children benefit.

“The programme will be funded through a dedicated trust fund chaired by the First Lady and housed in the Bank of Agriculture, drawing contributions from government, private sector partners and well-meaning Nigerians,” he said.

Aina described the intervention as a “multi-sectoral reform effort” involving the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Agriculture, Budget and Planning, and Women’s Affairs and Youth Development.

He added that the initiative would not only address acute food stress but also strengthen Nigeria’s primary healthcare system by expanding its role in preventive and social health services.

“With over 13,000 PHCs nationwide, we now have the infrastructure to deliver integrated health and nutrition support,” he said.

He said implementation would begin with advocacy and stakeholder engagement, followed by the establishment of community-level food banks and the enrolment of beneficiaries.

Zulum Launches Ramadan Palliatives for 300,000 Borno Households

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Zulum Launches Ramadan Palliatives for 300,000 Borno Households

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has launched the distribution of Ramadan palliatives to 300,000 households across the 27 local government areas of the state.

The intervention is aimed at cushioning the economic burden on vulnerable residents during the holy month of Ramadan. Each beneficiary is expected to receive one bag of rice, one bag of millet, and 10kg of sugar as part of the support package.

Speaking on Tuesday at Ramat Square, the venue of the distribution exercise, Zulum urged members of the committee in charge to maintain transparency and fairness throughout the process.

He said, “To the committee in charge of this distribution, let transparency be your watchword. Let fairness be your guide. These items are not for sale. They are not for your friends or family members who do not need them.

“They are for the widow, the orphan, the internally displaced, the farmer whose fields have not fully recovered, and the daily wage earner struggling to make ends meet. Any officer found diverting these items will face the full wrath of the law.”

The governor also directed that the distribution should cover Christian residents who are observing the Lent period, which overlaps with Ramadan this year.

“This gesture will also touch the non-Muslims who are also fasting the lent which falls within the month of Ramadan,” Zulum ordered.

Zulum’s administration has consistently extended support to Christian communities in the state, especially during festive periods. Every year, the governor approves the distribution of food items to Christian faithful celebrating Christmas. He also provides free transport for non-indigenous Christians who wish to travel to other parts of the country to celebrate with their families.

In their separate remarks, the senator representing Borno Central, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan, and the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, commended the governor for supporting vulnerable residents at a critical time.

In his welcome address, the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Ali Abdullahi Isa, assured that the agency was fully prepared to ensure a hitch-free distribution exercise.

The event was attended by members of the House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba and Abdulkadir Rahis, the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdkarim Lawan, principal officers of the House, the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, and other senior government officials.

Abia Shortlists 24,023 for CBT, Targets 4,000 Teacher Jobs

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Abia Shortlists 24,023 for CBT, Targets 4,000 Teacher Jobs

The Abia State Government has announced plans to shortlist 24,023 applicants for a Computer-Based Test in the second batch of its teacher recruitment exercise, as it moves to employ 4,000 new teachers across the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while addressing journalists at Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

In a statement released by the Head of Information at Government House, Umuahia, Divine Nwankwo, the commissioner said the second batch of the recruitment exercise is progressing well.

“At the last count, about 36,415 applications were received, while 24,023 applicants were actually shortlisted for the Computer-Based Test (CBT).

“The date for the CBT will be announced in due course,” the statement read.

The statement recalled that last year the state government employed 5,394 teachers, while the target for the second batch is 4,000 teachers.

It also disclosed that the Education Management and Information System is being deployed to integrate education data across primary and secondary schools in the state. According to the statement, EMIS will support efficient school management, data-driven planning, and measurable outcomes.

“Last year, the state government employed 5,394 teachers, while the target for the second batch of recruitment of teachers is 4,000 teachers.

“And the system will support the efficient management of schools, data-driven development, planning and measurable outcomes in schools,” Kanu noted.

The statement further highlighted the resumption of the mass literacy and non-formal education programme for adults for the 2025–2026 academic session in all 17 Local Government Areas. It stated that a sensitisation campaign is ongoing to increase enrolment, targeting school dropouts, traders, artisans, and other adults.

On sports, the Abia State contingent to the recently concluded National Basic Education Schools Sports Games emerged the best in athletics and overall performance, winning eight gold medals and other accolades.

“The performance of the Abia state contingent is an eloquent testimony to the success of the youth development programmes of this administration, particularly in the field of school sports,” Kanu stated.

The statement added that the governor has promised to host the team at a later date.

It also praised ongoing reforms in the education sector, noting that Abia has consistently emerged as the best-performing state in NECO examinations over the past three years.

“Abia State, for the past three years, has consistently emerged as the best-performing state in NECO exams.

“This record signifies the massive impact of the transformation and reform agenda of His Excellency in the education sector,” the statement read.

On infrastructure, the statement said the Ministry of Works is engaged in direct labour projects across 48 locations. Completed projects include maintenance of 14.8 kilometres of Alayi–Ugwueke Road in Bende LGA, 1.1 kilometres of Awomukwu–Umusokoro Road in Ikwuano LGA, 900 metres of Umusokoro Road in Ikwuano, and 9.1 kilometres of Umunkpeyi–Umuru–Okokiri Road in Isialangwa South LGA. Three new projects have also been added to the ministry’s maintenance basket.

Contributing, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, said EMIS will monitor pupils’ progress, including tracking movement between schools, whether private or public.

The statement reiterated that the date for the CBT in the second batch of teacher recruitment is yet to be fixed, assuring that the government will announce it once it is determined.

The press briefing at Government House, Umuahia, was attended by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma.

FG Empowers 31 Farmers’ Groups with Modern Inputs in Kebbi

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FG Empowers 31 Farmers’ Groups with Modern Inputs in Kebbi

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has empowered 31 farmers’ groups with modern farming inputs to boost food production and strengthen national food security.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this during the distribution of farm inputs to farmers’ groups in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. He was represented at the event by the Director of Cooperatives in the ministry, Dr Mohammed Bashir Abdulkadir.

Kyari said the initiative forms part of the ministry’s mandate to provide continuous support to farmers in order to enhance agricultural productivity across the country.

He noted that smallholder farmers account for about 95 percent of the farming population and remain the backbone of food production in Nigeria.

According to him, sustained support through the provision of modern farm inputs will boost farmers’ morale and encourage bumper harvests, ensuring food availability for local consumption and export.

The State Coordinator of the ministry in Kebbi State, Dr Ari Mohammed Abdulrazak, said 31 farmers’ unions benefited from the intervention. He explained that the beneficiaries included women, youths and persons with special needs.

He stated that the initiative was designed to promote inclusive participation in agriculture and to support year-round farming activities.

Speaking at the event, the Secretaries of AFAN and KADAGE Women Farmers Associations, Bello Kalgo and Hajiya Fatima Abubakar, commended the Federal Government for the timely support. They said the intervention would encourage farmers to return to their farms after losses suffered in previous seasons.

The Emir of Argungu, represented by the Majidadi, Alhaji Samaila Yakubu, praised the efforts of President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Agriculture for initiating the programme. He described it as timely and capable of boosting agricultural production.

He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs to improve their livelihoods and contribute to food production and security in Kebbi State and across Nigeria. The exercise is themed “Inputs Distribution for All-Year-Round Farming.”

Monica Cash Processes N500bn in Three Years of Operations

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Monica Cash Processes N500bn in Three Years of Operations

Monica Cash has marked a major milestone, completing three continuous years of operations and processing more than N500 billion in total transactions.

Since its launch, the platform has built a strong reputation for reliability and fast execution, especially in cryptocurrency conversions and everyday payment services. The company said the achievement reflects steady growth and consistent service in Nigeria’s fast-paced fintech space.

Rather than focus on short-term hype, Monica Cash concentrated on building strong infrastructure and dependable systems. According to the company, this approach has helped it earn lasting trust from users who rely on the app to convert Bitcoin and other digital assets to naira without unnecessary delays or downtime.

The total transaction volume, now exceeding half a trillion naira, highlights continued customer confidence. The company noted that users keep returning because the platform delivers a consistent, secure, and efficient experience, which remains critical in Nigeria’s competitive crypto ecosystem.

In addition to crypto conversion, Monica Cash has expanded its services to include airtime and bill payments, digital gift cards, and instant bank transfers. The company said this broader offering positions it as a full-service finance app designed to meet both digital asset and everyday financial needs.

COLE’ctive Initiative launches COLE2Lead across 23 LGAs in Rivers State

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COLE’ctive Initiative launches COLE2Lead across 23 LGAs in Rivers State

The COLE’ctive Initiative has unveiled COLE2Lead to groom a new generation of ethical, competent, and service-driven leaders across Rivers State ahead of the 2027 political cycle.

The initiative is designed as a policy and leadership accelerator aimed at closing the gap between political ambition and effective governance through structured civic education and policy literacy. Organisers said the programme seeks to prepare emerging leaders with the knowledge and tools required to function effectively in public office and civic spaces.

COLE2Lead will operate across the state’s 23 Local Government Areas, targeting 31,900 emerging leaders drawn from communities, professional groups, youth networks, and civic platforms. According to the organisers, the initiative is intentionally inclusive, extending leadership opportunities beyond individuals with traditional access to political power.

Inspired by the leadership philosophy of Tonye Patrick Cole, the programme redefines leadership as a discipline rooted in service, ethics, and public accountability. “Leadership should never be accidental,” Cole said. “COLE2Lead is about preparing people to lead with clarity, competence, and a deep sense of responsibility to the public.”

The organisers disclosed that the programme will establish 23 virtual learning hubs and deliver governance and policy training across 319 wards in Rivers State. Participants, including members of civic movements such as FREE2RUN Rivers, will take part in workshops, mentoring sessions, and practical engagements designed to strengthen ethical decision-making and public-service orientation.

A programme representative explained that COLE2Lead aims to demystify governance by equipping participants with practical tools to understand policy processes and lead with credibility at different levels of public life. Governance stakeholders have welcomed the initiative, describing leadership accelerators focused on ethics and competence as essential for restoring public trust and ensuring sustainable political renewal across the state.

Dangote signs $400m deal to expand refinery to 1.4m barrels per day

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Dangote signs $400m deal to expand refinery to 1.4m barrels per day

Dangote Group has signed a $400 million construction equipment agreement with XCMG Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., one of China’s leading manufacturers of construction machinery, to accelerate the expansion of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day.

The expansion is expected to position the refinery as the largest in the world. Under the agreement, the Group will acquire a wide range of advanced construction equipment to support ongoing and upcoming projects across refining, petrochemicals, agriculture and large-scale infrastructure development.

The newly acquired equipment will complement existing assets already deployed for the refinery expansion, which is projected to be completed within three years.

Beyond refining, the expansion programme will significantly increase production capacity across several business lines. Polypropylene production will rise from 900,000 metric tonnes per annum to 2.4 million metric tonnes per annum. Urea capacity in Nigeria will be tripled from 3 million to 9 million metric tonnes per annum, in addition to the existing 3 million metric tonnes per annum capacity in Ethiopia. This move will strengthen the Group’s position as the largest urea producer globally.

Production capacity for Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) will increase to 400,000 metric tonnes per annum, positioning the Group as the largest producer in Africa and boosting supply to the detergent and cleaning agents manufacturing industry. The broader expansion programme also includes additional base oil production capacity.

In a statement, the Group described the agreement as a strategic investment aimed at deepening its construction footprint and accelerating its ambition to build a $100 billion enterprise by 2030.

“The additional equipment we are acquiring under this partnership will significantly enhance execution across our projects. With this investment, we are positioning ourselves to become the number one construction company in the world,” the statement said.

Dangote Group is currently accelerating expansion and regional market development as it advances toward its long-term vision of building a $100 billion enterprise by 2030.

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