The West Afran Examinations Council, WAEC, is introducing paper variations for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination WASSCE, to curb examination malpractice.

This new examination format, which will see candidates receive unique questions, will be implemented for the first time during the WASSCE scheduled to take place from April 24 to June 20, 2025.

At a media briefing in Lagos, yesterday, Dr. Amos Dangut, the Head of the Nigeria National Office, expressed the council’s commitment to integrating modern technology in examination administration.

“As an organization that believes in the use of modern Information and Communications Technology, we are excited to introduce Computer-based WASSCE for school candidates.“From this year onwards, no two candidates will have the same questions, which is a significant step towards upholding academic integrity,’’ he said.

The 2025 examination will accommodate a staggering 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 schools, with a gender distribution of 979,228 males and 994,025 females.

This marks an increase in both male and female participants, compared to previous years.

“The statistics indicate a continued growth in female participation, which is encouraging,” Dr. Dangut noted. To enhance the registration process, the National Identification Number, NIN has been incorporated as a component.

However, Dr. Dangut emphasized that it was not mandatory at the initial stage to facilitate easier registration.

He explained: “We wanted to ensure all candidates could access the registration portal without examination barriers.

’’On security concerns, Dangut acknowledged the challenges posed by insecurity in the country, saying, “We cannot ignore the realities of conducting examinations amid insecurity.

“In the previous WASSCE, we faced threats in certain areas but we managed to ensure that examinations continued safely.’’

He highlighted WAEC’s partnership with the Nigeria Police Force and various state governments to bolster security during the examination period.

While reiterating WAEC’s zero-tolerance policy towards examination malpractice,

Dangut warned: “We are committed to decisively dealing with any form of examination fraud.

The penalties for involvement in malpractice will be strictly enforced to maintain the integrity of our examinations.”

The Nigerian Army has appointed a female officer, Appolonia Anaele, a Lieutenant Colonel, as the first Acting Director of Army Public Relations.

The appointment takes effect from April 22nd, 2025.

The acting director will take over from the outgoing Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, next week after the Easter break.

General Nwachukwu has served three Chief of Army Staffs back-to-back, starting with Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd), Late Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, and the incumbent COAS, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede.

Lt. Col. Anele brings a unique combination of military discipline and communication expertise to her new role. She is expected to lead reforms that will strengthen the Army’s public image and foster trust through:

Enhanced Transparency: She has pledged to uphold core Army values while ensuring greater openness in communication with the public.

Effective Communication: With a background in Mass Communication and Strategic Studies, she is well-equipped to manage media relations, social media, and public engagement.

Public Engagement: Her experience in the Department of Civil-Military Relations and as a Public Relations Officer in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff positions her to deepen the Army’s connection with civilian populations.

The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adams Abdulazeez Adeiza, has officially handed over sites for the construction of critical infrastructure at the Prince Abubàkar Audu University Teaching Hospital Anyigba.

The projects include the construction of new classrooms, a library, a multipurpose medical laboratory, consultant offices, and the renovation of the existing clinical laboratory.

The governor emphasized that these facilities will enhance the institution’s capacity to deliver quality training to medical and allied health students, restore lost accreditations, and expand medical research and healthcare services.

The governor recalled the setback of losing accreditation for medical student training in 2015 but celebrated the success of students who graduated despite the challenges.

He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to consolidating achievements and investing in projects that touch lives, drive development, and secure a brighter future for Kogi State citizens.

The governor urged the host communities to take ownership of public infrastructure, protect them, support government initiatives, and collaborate with contractors. He directed contractors to deliver quality work within the stated timeline in 2025.

The vice Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Prof. Marietu Tenuche, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Governor for his commitment to human capital development in the health sector.

The university is set to receive new classrooms, a library, multipurpose medical laboratory, consultant offices, and a renovated existing clinical laboratory.

Prof. Tenuche described this development as a “long dream come true” and highlighted the university’s efforts to revive the MBBS program, which was stopped in 2012. The university has introduced programs like Nursing Science, BSc Anatomy, BSc Physiology, BSc Medical Science Laboratory, and BSc Pharmacology to support the MBBS program.

The Vice Chancellor praised the pioneer medical students who excelled in other universities after losing accreditation for the MBBS program. For instance, three students from the University won 18 out of 20 awards, showcasing the potential of the university’s students.

She attributed the previous inability to commence the MBBS program to the lack of a teaching hospital, which was addressed by the provision of the Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital by the state government.

Prof. Tenuche commended the Honorable Commissioner for Health for his commitment and focus on the project. Dr. Abdulazeez Adams visited the university, assessed the facilities, and assured the Vice Chancellor that the governor would provide the necessary support.

The swift action by the governor’s office, with engineers assessing the site just two days after the commissioner’s visit, demonstrates the government’s dedication to improving healthcare in Kogi State.

The Vice Chancellor thanked the governor and the commissioner for their support, citing the importance of healthcare in economic development, as “health is wealth.” The event marks a significant milestone in the university’s pursuit of reviving its medical programs and enhancing healthcare delivery in the state.¹

The Acting Chief Medical Director of Prince Abubakar University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Nayo Anthony, expressed gratitude to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his commitment to healthcare development in Kogi State. He praised the governor for building on the legacy of his predecessor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, who initiated the medical school project.

The new infrastructure will enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide quality healthcare and support the medical program.

Dr. Oladele highlighted the hospital’s progress, including receiving medical consumables and equipment, expanding specialized treatment services, and establishing a functional histopathology lab.

The state government has also built an oxygen plant, which will supply oxygen to the hospital and other healthcare facilities in the local government area. Additional projects to set for construction include:
A Dialysis Center, Soon to be flagged off, to address the need for specialized care others are Maternal and Newborn Care Program in Partnership with National Health Insurance to provide care for vulnerable population equally Free Pre-Pregnancy Services would be made Available at PAUTH and other general hospitals in Kogi State

The Chief Medical Director commended the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adams Abdulaziz, for identifying key healthcare challenges in Kogi State, including infrastructural gaps and personnel needs.

The ongoing project aims to address these issues by building infrastructure and producing skilled healthcare professionals. With these developments, the hospital is poised to deliver improved healthcare services, aligning with Governor Ododo’s initiative to revamp primary healthcare centers across the state.

Also speaking, The Provost of the School of Medicine, Dr. Akogu Simon, expressed joy and gratitude to the government and the university’s leadership for their commitment to the project. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Marietu Tenuche, has been instrumental in driving the project forward, and her leadership has paid off with the realization of the MBBS program.

The project is expected to improve healthcare delivery in Kogi State and provide opportunities for students to pursue medical education he asserted.

The Executive Chairman of Dekina Local Government, Hon. Urah John, expressed gratituder to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for fulfilling his promise to bring the project to life. The project is expected to add value to the health sector in Kogi State,r and the local government pledges its loyalty and support to the governor’s administration.

Hon. John also appreciated the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza , and the management of Prince Abubakar Audu University, led by Vice Chancellor Professor Marietu Tenuche, for their efforts in making the project a reality.

The member representing Dekina/Biraidu constituency and chairman House committee one Health, Hon. Usman Ochidi expressed gratitude and joy, feeling vindicated after some people doubted the establishment of another investmentrd in the university.

He commended the governor for bringing life to the project, which will provide an enabling environment for medical students to be accredited. This development will add value to the health sector in Kogi State.

He noted that within the next 7-8 years, Kogi State will have a significant number of medical doctors, addressing the current shortage. The state government has announced plans to employ over 200 medical doctors, and this project will help meet that need. Hon. Ochidi praised the governor’s leadership and policy decisions, which are expected to make Kogi State a hub for medical education and healthcare delivery.

The Eje Dekina, Alhaji (Dr). Usman Obaje, represented by Alhaji Abu Shaibu Okolo, the Ogohi Onu Anyigba welcomed the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, to Prince Abubakar Audu University. He expressed gratitude to the governor for supporting the university’s development.

The traditional ruler praised the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Marietu Tenuche, for her leadership and dedication to the university’s growth.

He acknowledged the governor’s role in providing a conducive environment for the university to thrive and appreciated his support for the institution’s development projects.

A representative of the the contractors, Zach Uhiani and Afan Nigeria Limited, anticipated completing the project before the end of the year.

“We are committed to meeting the expectations of the governor and commissioner, ensuring the laboratory’s excellence and functionality in line with the state’s healthcare development goals.”