The executive secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Tolulope Odunaiya has stated her commitment to implementation of the recently approved N32,000 pension increment for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) once budgetary provisions are released for the year, 2025.

Odunaiya said the January 2025 pension payments did not include the N32,000 increment because the budgetary provisions have not been released, according to a statement that was issued by the agency’s spokesman Olugbenga Ajayi.

The executive secretary assured that PTAD is working assiduously with relevant agencies of government to ensure the increment is fully implemented and arrears paid as soon as possible.

She explained that PTAD had paid four months arrears (August–November 2024) to civil service pension department pensioners and five months arrears (August–December 2024) to pensioners of Customs, Immigration and Prison pension department.

According to the directorate, the Police pension department and the university sector of parastatals pension department also benefited through strategic funds management.

Odunaiya explained that the directorate, through its strategic funds management initiative, had earlier defrayed in full the 20 per cent and 28 per cent pension increment arrears to all pensioners, and promised that PTAD will continue to prioritise pensioners’ needs at all time.

Govt is unserious, say experts | Want state governments’ buy-in | Impact not felt – Prof Amalu

 

Nearly two years after the federal government declared a state of emergency on food security, experts say the food crisis has worsened rather than improved.

In July 2023, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security, promising swift interventions to combat rising food prices, insecurity affecting farming communities, and low agricultural productivity.

The administration outlined several policies to increase crop production, accelerate livestock transformation, subsidise inputs for farmers, implement mechanisation programmes, and enhance security in the farm areas.

However, nearly two years later, food prices continue to soar, and many Nigerians struggle to afford basic meals.

The latest Cadre Harmonisé (CH) projections in November 2024 forecast that about 33.1 million Nigerians will face acute food and nutrition insecurity by mid-2025.

Despite the state of emergency declaration, the report noted that persistent insecurity, food inflation, floods, and high fuel prices continue to undermine government efforts to achieve food security.
In July 2024, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari announced a 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities as a component of the State of the Emergency declaration on food security. However, the policy time frame has expired without implementation.

According to the experts, the food crisis will continue to worsen unless the government shifts from rhetoric to practical, grassroots-driven solutions and improves budgetary allocation to agriculture.
They insist that more needs to be done regarding policy implementation, monitoring and stakeholder inclusion.

In an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP, Professor Uche Amalu, an agronomy expert from the University of Calabar, expressed concerns about the level of food security in Nigeria.
He criticised the federal government for failing to back its policies with concrete actions, stating that “the government appears to be paying lip service to the food crisis.”

According to Prof Amalu, food security is more than just food production, but involves ensuring food is available, accessible, and affordable to all Nigerians, while maintaining environmental sustainability.

He noted that Nigeria had not prioritised food security in its budgetary allocations, with agriculture receiving far less than the 10 per cent benchmark set by the Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security.

“So much of this administration’s budget has not shifted to improving allocations for food and food security.

“Our government does not appear to be interested in the safety of the food we produce. Instead, it is focused on imported foods, many of which are genetically modified. We must shift our focus to eating what we produce and producing what we eat.

“Since the declaration of the state of emergency on food security, instead of improvement, we are seeing more challenges, food is becoming increasingly unaffordable, yet no significant action has been taken to change the situation,” Prof Amalu told LEADERSHIP.

He argued that the government had failed to translate policy announcements into real action, urging President Tinubu’s administration to “walk the talk.”

To address Nigeria’s food security crisis, Amalu advocated the adoption of Low-Input Agricultural Technology (LIAT), which prioritises cost-effective farming methods that to cater to resource-poor farmers.

He stressed that the government must actively support rural farmers through extension services, training programmes, and access to more affordable agricultural inputs.

National president of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Arc Kabir Ibrahim, acknowledged the government’s commitment to achieving food security through various programmes but emphasised that the journey remains a work in progress.

He stressed the need for closer collaboration between federal and subnational governments to ensure success.

“To attain sustainable food security, we need to curb insecurity, reduce post-harvest losses, mitigate climate change-related incidents and provide subsidies on all inputs,” Ibrahim stated.

He also highlighted the importance of adequate food distribution and the role of government support in achieving these goals.

Ibrahim said the state of emergency on food security declared in 2023 had yet to produce the desired impact.

The declaration should be amplified with proper implementation, consistent monitoring, and prompt evaluation of all food security programmes,” he said.

On his part, the national president of the Potato Farmers Association of Nigeria (POFAN), Chief Daniel Okafor, in a more critical assessment of the government’s approach, acknowledged that the government’s policies were well-intended but pointed out significant flaws in their execution.

Okafor lamented that while farmers were carried along in policy formulation, they were often excluded from the implementation process.

He also raised concerns about the continued food insecurity despite the state of emergency declaration.
He said, “The policy is okay, but implementation is terrible; we are struggling with challenges such as climate change, Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, double taxation, multiple roadblocks, and a lack of innovative agricultural technology.

“Many Nigerians still go to bed hungry, yet food is a fundamental human right. The government must do more to ensure food is available for every citizen,” he said.

Despite these challenges, Okafor acknowledged that government had made some efforts. He, however, urged governments to allow farmers greater participation in decision-making and policy implementation.

As the January 2025 deadline for the implementation of the new curriculum approaches, schools, parents, and other stakeholders have raised concerns about the readiness and effectiveness of the educational framework.

With critical details still unresolved, there are worries about whether the timeline will be met. Stakeholders are awaiting clarity on how the changes will be executed and what impact they will have on students and the broader education system.

The government had previously announced that schools would begin rolling out the revised curriculum in January 2025.

However, despite plans to fine-tune the arrangements from October to December 2024 including teacher training and infrastructure development, many challenges remain.

These efforts were aimed at ensuring that both private and public schools would be ready for full implementation by the January deadline.

The new curriculum, intended to modernise education and better prepare students for future demands, has faced significant challenges regarding the readiness of schools, teachers, and resources.

It is expected to introduce 15 new trades for basic education, focusing on skills to enhance the employability of products from primary and junior secondary levels. These trades include basic digital literacy, IT, robotics, building and construction, hospitality, garment making, and agriculture.

Despite the reform’s potential, a recent tour of several public and private schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) revealed little evidence of readiness.

Many schools continue to struggle with outdated classrooms, insufficient learning materials, and inadequate support services, all of which threaten the successful implementation of the curriculum.

 

In the midst of these challenges, the new minister of education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, pledged to continue the progressive reforms of the previous leadership.

 

However, stakeholders have emphasised the need to address infrastructure issues, particularly the shortage of vocational training facilities and modern equipment, and have called for urgent action.

 

The principal of Divine Academy, Lugbe in Abuja, Jeremy Ugochukwu, stressed the importance of the government scaling up with the planned implementation of the new curriculum.

 

In an interview with LEADERSHIP Weekend, he said the new curriculum would be a significant step towards improving the education system and aligning it with global standards.

 

“It’s necessary to ensure that students are equipped with the relevant skills for the future. The government should not hesitate in its commitment to this reform.

 

“While there may be challenges, the long-term benefits of a modernised curriculum are immense. It will help bridge the gap between the current system and the demands of the evolving job market,” he added

 

Also, an international educator from the United Kingdom (UK), Chizuruoke Collins Ezem, said the introduction of a skills-based curriculum in basic education is a timely and positive move, adding that it aligns education with workforce needs, equipping the students with practical skills and fostering entrepreneurial thinking.

 

However, he said its effectiveness would depend on proper implementation and consistent teacher training.

 

“Most schools currently lack adequate facilities for vocational training. Investing in modern equipment, and providing training for instructors should be prioritised,” Ezem said.

 

A parent and a retired engineer, Mathias Ben, supported the new curriculum, describing it as a crucial step in addressing the growing unemployment rate among youths.

 

He, however, called on the government to fast-track its implementation. “By focusing on practical skills and vocational training, it will help equip students with the tools they need to succeed in the workforce.

 

“It’s vital for the future of our youths and the nation as a whole,” he said.

 

As schools in Nigeria reopen in January 2025, uncertainty surrounds the implementation of the much-anticipated new curriculum.

Intended to modernise education and better prepare students for future demands, the reform has faced significant challenges regarding the readiness of schools, teachers, and resources.

The then Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, had hinted that the new academic curriculum for basic and junior secondary schools would begin in January 2025.

To prepare, the government planned to fine-tune arrangements from October to December 2024, including teacher training and infrastructure development.

These efforts were aimed at ensuring that both private and public schools would be ready for full implementation by January 2025.

However, with only a few days left in the month, it is clear that critical challenges remain. Reports indicate significant shortages in school facilities and a lack of teacher training, with stakeholders unsure of how the changes will unfold.

Earlier reports indicated that the curriculum would introduce 15 new trades for basic education, focusing on skills that would enhance the employability of graduates from primary and junior secondary levels. The trades include basic digital literacy, IT, robotics, building and construction, hospitality, garment making, and agriculture.

Despite the reform’s potential, a recent tour of several public and private schools in the Federal Capital Territory revealed little evidence of readiness.

Many schools continue to struggle with outdated classrooms, insufficient learning materials, and inadequate support services, all of which threaten the successful implementation of the curriculum.

In the midst of these challenges, the newly appointed Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has pledged to continue the progressive reforms of the previous leadership.

However, stakeholders are increasingly concerned about the practical obstacles to the curriculum’s success. Experts also emphasised the need to address infrastructure issues, particularly the shortage of vocational training facilities and modern equipment.

Chizuruoke Collins Ezem, an international educator from the UK, described the introduction of a skills-based curriculum in basic education as a timely and positive move.

He stressed that it aligns education with workforce needs, equipping students with practical skills and fostering entrepreneurial thinking.

However, he cautioned that its effectiveness would depend on proper implementation and consistent teacher training.

“Most schools currently lack adequate facilities for vocational training. Upgrading existing workshops, investing in modern equipment, and providing training for instructors should be prioritized,” Ezem said.

Students of Divine Academy, Lugbe, David Tor also voiced concern about the new curriculum. He said if implemented, subjects like robotics and hospitality, would provide practical skills for the modern job market.

“When government announced that the new curriculum would incorporate trade subjects, I was so excited. The new curriculum aligns with my interests and strengths, which will allow me to explore potential career paths. I’m particularly excited about the hands-on training and project-based learning, which will enhance my problem-solving skills and creativity if implemented.

“Our school’s labs and workshops lack modern equipment, software, and tools necessary for hands-on training,” she explained. “To fully benefit from this curriculum, our school needs investments in state-of-the-art facilities.”

A teacher from Stella Maris School in Gwarinpa, who requested anonymity, revealed that the curriculum has yet to be implemented at their school. Like many others, they are waiting for tangible preparations before the new system can take effect.

As the countdown continues, stakeholders are urging the government to address these challenges promptly to ensure the new curriculum’s success and accessibility for all students.