By Our Reporter

The Scientific Equipment Development Institute, SEDI, Minna, Niger State, has sealed the deal to supply scientific equipment, materials, and manpower training to Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Makurdi.

In a statement signed by the Head, Information and Protocol Unit of the polytechnic, Timothy Ihom, said the commitment was made on Tuesday by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SEDI, Dr. Jafaru Mahmud, during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the polytechnic.

The statement quoted Dr. Mahmud as saying “the partnership is part of SEDI’s contribution to advancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in line with the federal government policy.” He added that “the institute would also assist the polytechnic in meeting the requirements for accreditation by the National Board for Technical Education in the next assessment cycle.”

The image maker of Akawe Torkuka polytechnic revealed further that, “SEDI will begin with the immediate provision of science laboratory equipment, followed by training for staff and students in renewable energy and other technical areas.” The aim, he said, is “to help the polytechnic become a centre where students acquire quality education and practical skills to become self-reliant.”

While welcoming the delegation, the Rector of Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Dr. Martins Agena, said the “visit was a return engagement following his earlier trip to SEDI in Minna last year, where he sought collaboration to align the polytechnic with global best practices.”

Dr. Agena expressed confidence that “the partnership would create opportunities for students and lecturers to visit SEDI’s facilities in Minna for hands-on experience.”

Also speaking, the Deputy Rector, Academics, and Chairperson of the visit’s organizing committee, Dr. Philomena Odeh-Udeh, said “the collaboration aligns with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s vision of prioritizing science and technical education in Benue State. She commended SEDI for its timely intervention.”

The SEDI team conducted a physical assessment of the polytechnic’s facilities and signed a Memorandum of Uderstanding outlining the areas of intervention.

By Son Tertsea, Abuja

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) set set the stage for candidates of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, who are in need, to process their change of institution and course.

Dr Fabian Benjamin, spokesman for JAMB on X stated this Friday saying, “Candidates wishing to change their institution or programme of choice may now proceed to do so visiting any of the Board’s approved CBT. Applicants are advised to visit any accredited CBT centre to effect the changes,”

JAMB indicated further that the printing of the original 2026 UTME result slip will begin on Monday, May 18, 2026.

The release also called on candidates to visit accredited CBT centres to print their result slips and access other related services.

By Son Tertsea, Abuja

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is set to intervene in 271 institutions across Nigeria by establishing 411 projects that would enhance teaching, learning, innovation and research within the next four months.

Revealing this development recently in Abuja was the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, while speaking with journalists shortly after the inauguration of chairmen and members of boards of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education, as well as principal officers of newly established institutions and reappointed chief executives.

Echono pointed out that the projects which would spread across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education were to cover critical areas in public tertiary institutions, adding that the projects would be commissioned between June and September this year. They projects include lecture theatres, hostels, laboratories, libraries, research centres, academic office complexes, innovation hubs, and other educational infrastructure funded through various TETFund intervention lines.

He added that the Fund has established new offices in Kaduna, Bauchi, Port Harcourt which were ready to be commissioned and that preparations are underway for a nationwide commissioning exercise that will involve top government officials and stakeholders in the education sector. He stated further that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, and other prominent dignitaries are expected to participate in the inauguration of the iconic projects across different parts of the country.

“Again, it’s a season for us. We are now approaching the season for harvest. Mr. President’s efforts over the last two to three years is beginning to bear a lot of fruits and commissioning of projects will commence in June. We are going to start first from home.

“TETFund has also developed new regional offices in Kaduna, Bauchi, Port Harcourt, and these three are ready for commissioning. And thereafter, we’ll progress to our institutions. 411 projects which are due for commissioning between June and September, and we are going to spread them out, because there are so many.

“There are some very iconic which we are going to leave for Mr. President. We sought leave of him so that as he goes around, also visiting these states, he will commission some of our iconic projects. The Honorable Minister has accepted to commission some of the major ones too, and will share others with other principal officers in our government,” he said.

Also speaking to reporters, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa said the scale of the projects reflects the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to repositioning tertiary education and addressing decades of infrastructural deficits affecting public institutions.

He added that the interventions are designed not only to expand access to quality education but also to strengthen research capacity, improve the learning environment, and enhance institutional competitiveness.

“Over 411 projects are built within the last 30 months by this President. When we say the President has committed more funds to the education sector, it’s not abstract,” he said.