A 10-year-old Primary Five pupil of Diamond Specialist School, Owerri, Jeffery Obinna, has emerged winner of the fourth edition of the Smart Kids Mathematics Competition organised by Shekinah British International School (SBIS), Ihiagwa, in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

The competition, held in Owerri, rewarded the champion with ₦500,000 cash, a ₦15 million education scholarship grant and a brand new laptop.

Two other pupils — Okwaraoka Chinedu and Jekwu Ebere, both aged 10 and from Limitless School, Owerri — clinched the second and third positions respectively. They received ₦300,000 and ₦200,000 cash prizes, alongside brand new laptops. About 20 other participants received consolation prizes.

The initiative, sponsored by the Chairman/CEO of SBIS, Chief Dr. Obinna Smart Unegbu, provided free online registration to ensure broad participation by interested pupils across the state, regardless of background or location.

Participating schools included Living Word Academy, Rosykids, White Label School, Great Achievers School, New Day School, Dayton’s Montessori Academy, Our World International School, Great Excel, Milky Way and Best Kids Montessori School, among others.

Out of 145 pupils who took part in the first stage, only eight finalists advanced after screening and a keenly contested Computer-Based Test (CBT).

Speaking at the event, the Imo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. B.T.O. Ikegwuoha, who was represented by the Director of School Sports in the ministry, Mr. Joseph Chukwuemeka Nwonu, described the initiative as a major step toward rekindling interest in mathematics among young learners, many of whom tend to favour arts-related subjects.

He commended SBIS for setting a standard worthy of emulation by both public and private schools and reaffirmed the state government’s willingness to partner with initiatives that promote academic excellence.

In his remarks, SBIS Chairman, Unegbu, said the competition was borne out of a passion to nurture a new generation of mathematicians capable of transforming society. He noted that many pupils perceive mathematics as difficult, stressing the need to build strong foundational skills early.

Expressing gratitude, the winner, Jeffery Obinna, thanked God, his teachers and the school’s management for the opportunity.

“I thank the proprietor of Shekinah British International School for giving me the scholarship, the computer and the cash prize. May God replenish him,” he said, adding that the victory has motivated him to aim higher in his academic pursuits.

Some mathematics teachers at the event, including Mr. Amadi Chigozie of Award International Nursery and Primary School, Owerri, and Mr. Kalu Michael John of Limitless School, described the competition as a milestone in boosting awareness and strengthening mathematical competence among pupils.

The event drew commendations from stakeholders who described it as a laudable effort to promote excellence in science and mathematics education in Imo State.

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya, has called for a strategic partnership with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to support education development in Nigeria. He made the call on Monday when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, in Abuja.

Comrade Yahya commended the Agency for its role in revitalising tertiary institutions across Nigeria, pledging deeper collaboration to strengthen public awareness of education sector interventions. The president said the union had consistently monitored the agency’s activities and was satisfied with the execution of projects in institutions nationwide. “This visit is aimed at strengthening institutional partnership and exploring ways both organizations could work together to advance national development through improved education outcomes and informed public engagement,” he added.

The NUJ president appreciated the Executive Secretary of TETFund for what he described as commendable performance in the implementation of intervention programmes across the country. He said the union’s leadership considered it necessary to engage directly with the Agency to enhance visibility for its activities and ensure Nigerians are better informed about ongoing developments in tertiary education. According to Comrade Yahya, the NUJ is proposing a joint inspection tour of selected tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones to assess projects executed and showcase their impact. He explained that the proposed tour would involve visits to selected states in each zone, allowing journalists to independently observe interventions and communicate their significance to the public.

Comrade Yahya noted that the union had previously passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of the Agency and had also advocated increased federal funding for TETFund, stressing that timely release of funds remains essential to sustaining intervention programmes across institutions. He said the proposed collaboration would also include joint public sensitisation on ongoing projects, adding that broader public awareness would help Nigerians appreciate the scale of work being carried out in tertiary institutions.

The NUJ president further appealed for support for the International Institute of Journalism, an NUJ-owned training institution dedicated to strengthening professional standards and improving the quality of journalism practice in Nigeria. He also proposed periodic engagement between the union and TETFund through structured quarterly briefings, stating that the platform would enable journalists to provide feedback from field observations and contribute constructive input that could support the Fund’s operations. Comrade Yahya additionally sought TETFund’s support for the NUJ’s planned 2026 Media Summit in Abuja, which he said would bring together academia, policymakers and other stakeholders to deliberate on issues of education funding and national security as they relate to the development of the education sector. He expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between the media and TETFund would improve public understanding of education interventions and contribute to national progress.

In his response, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, said Nigeria’s tertiary education system requires sustained investment, public trust and stronger institutional support to overcome infrastructure and research gaps. He stressed that the Agency was established to halt the decline in academic standards and restore confidence in the nation’s universities and other higher institutions. Echono explained that the intervention agency emerged from widespread concern over what stakeholders at the time regarded as a serious deterioration in academic quality across the tertiary education system. According to him, the creation of the Fund was intended as a targeted response to reverse declining standards, strengthen institutional capacity and incentivise growth in the education sector, particularly at a period when many skilled personnel were leaving and infrastructure deficits had become severe.

Echono said although considerable progress has been made through sustained government support and structured intervention programmes, major challenges persist across institutions. He identified deficiencies in physical infrastructure, research facilities and the general conditions under which teaching, learning and research take place as areas that continue to require significant investment. He noted that addressing these gaps demands long term commitment and consistent funding. The Executive Secretary said the Fund has undertaken extensive intervention projects across institutions nationwide, adding that evidence of ongoing work can be seen in multiple institutions where facilities have been constructed, upgraded or rehabilitated to improve academic delivery.

Echono stressed that communicating these interventions to the public remains essential to building confidence in the system. According to him, demonstrating what has been achieved with available resources will help sustain trust and strengthen national support for continued investment in tertiary education. On collaboration with the media, he said the Fund engages the media through coverage of project commissioning activities and academic publications produced to support institutional development. Echono expressed support for the NUJ IIJ by ensuring staff will be sponsored to enroll in the institution and expressed readiness to develop broader collaboration with the union that reflects national visibility.

Echono pointed to electricity expenses as a major challenge, explaining that in many cases institutional allocations are insufficient to cover utility bills for extended periods. He said the severity of these constraints has compelled the Fund to intervene in essential infrastructure beyond academic facilities, including support for power supply systems, access roads and water provision, describing such measures as necessary to sustain institutional operations. Amid these efforts, he expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for continued federal backing of the education sector, noting that sustained government support has strengthened the Fund’s capacity to implement critical interventions and stabilise institutions facing structural challenges. Echono said the sustainability of tertiary education depends not only on infrastructure development but also on broader policy support, stakeholder collaboration and consistent national commitment to education financing. He thanked the visiting delegation for the engagement and reiterated the Fund’s commitment to supporting institutions in addressing structural challenges, improving academic standards and sustaining progress in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

One thousand five hundred students across Delta North senatorial district are expressing gratitude and renewed hope following Senator Ned Nwoko’s sponsorship of their 2026 UTME registration fees, describing the programme as a critical lifeline that has lifted a major financial burden from their families. The beneficiaries, numbering 1,500 and spread across the nine local government areas of the district, say the free registration support has not only removed cost barriers but also strengthened their determination to pursue university admission with confidence.

The examination is conducted nationwide by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, and registration fees are often a challenge for low- and middle-income households, especially where multiple children are preparing for tertiary entrance exams at the same time. Students interviewed from different parts of Delta North consistently described the sponsorship as timely and impactful.

Ike Esther from Ika North East said the support came at a crucial moment for her household. According to her, her parents had been weighing several urgent financial needs alongside her exam registration. She stated that this has taken a heavy load off her parents and she can now focus fully on studying instead of worrying about whether she would even be able to register.

Moses Peters and Chukwuyem Dorcas, both from Ika South, shared similar sentiments, noting that the intervention changed their outlook on the admission process. They said the gesture reassured them that their educational ambitions are recognized and supported at the constituency level.

Ossai Success from Ukwuani described the programme as a motivation boost, explaining that when support like this comes, it makes you feel responsible to give your best. She added that someone believes in your future, so you have to work hard to justify it. Favour Nwoko from Aniocha North added that beyond the financial help, the initiative sends a strong message about the value placed on youth education in the district.

Beneficiaries were selected across Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North East, Ika South, Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, and Ukwuani, ensuring that students from both urban and rural communities gained access to the programme. Several students noted that candidates in riverine and interior communities often face added obstacles, including transport and information gaps, and said the coordinated registration exercise helped close that gap. Participants reported that the registration process in their areas was orderly and well-coordinated, allowing students to complete their applications without stress or extra unofficial charges.

Many of the beneficiaries stressed that the programme’s biggest impact goes beyond the payment itself. They described it as an emotional and psychological boost at a defining stage of their academic journey. Some said they had considered postponing their UTME attempt due to financial uncertainty. With the fees covered, they are now proceeding with their original timelines for admission into universities and polytechnics. Parents and guardians, according to the students, have also reacted with relief and appreciation, seeing the intervention as direct support for household educational advancement.

With registration secured, beneficiaries say their attention has shifted fully to preparation. Study groups and peer-reading circles are already forming in some communities among supported candidates, with students encouraging one another to make strong scores. One beneficiary remarked that they have been given an opportunity and the best way to show appreciation is to pass well and gain admission. Across Delta North, the mood among the sponsored candidates is largely one of gratitude mixed with determination, a sense that a door has been opened, and it is now up to them to walk through it with discipline and hard work.

Prior to this good gesture of the Senator, he had earlier granted scholarship to 90 students of Delta North origin to study courses of their choice at the Sports University of Nigeria in Idumuje Ugboko.