News

Students In Lagos Schools May Miss WASSCE Registration

Published

2 years ago

February 4, 2024

Editor

Some students in public secondary schools in Lagos State may miss being registered for this year’s West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations, WASSCE, to be conducted by the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, because of the inability of their parents to pay N8,100 levy.

Lagos State government pays the WASSCE fees of students in public secondary schools, but parents who are working in the informal sector would have to pay the levy, while those working in the formal sector would make do with their tax clearance certificates.

Checks by Vanguard showed that some of the students, whose parents were unable to pay the levy were shut out of the free registration process last week, which was initially fixed as the deadline for registration for the exam by WAEC.

However, a saving grace came their way at the weekend when WAEC extended the registration till February 24, this year.

It was learned that due to the economic situation in the country, some parents were unable to pay the levy.

A parent, whose child is at Igbo Owu Senior Secondary School, Work Yard, near Majekodunmi Street, Mushin, lamented her ordeal to our correspondent.

“I am a petty trader and who struggles to take care of her children. We all know what the situation in the country is now. The cost of living is high and business is not like it was before. The state government just introduced this levy for final year students this year. They said people should show their tax clearance certificates or pay that levy.

” I tried as much as I could but could not make the deadline last week and the school authorities told me that my child would not be registered for the examination. We appreciate the state government for helping parents pay the exam fee, but they should know that not all parents work in the formal sector where they can get a tax clearance certificate to show, ” she said.

When contacted on the phone, the Commissioner for Secondary and Basic Education, Hon Jamiu Alli-Balogun, said the state government should be commended for taken the burden of the exam fee off parents’ shoulders.

“We are not asking the parents to pay any tax, especially those in informal setting. We only ask the for N8, 100 levy, that is less than N650 monthly. Those in formal setting who have tax deducted from their salaries have tax clearance certificates that cover them.

However, i don’t think that is too much for the parents because Lagos State government pays the WAEC examination fees of all students in public secondary schools and that runs into billions of naira.

“In how many states do they do that? Not even in FCT that they pay such on behalf of parents. if we now ask parents to show commitment and responsibility by paying that levy, i don’t think is is too much. Tax is paid everywhere in tbe world and it drives growth. I am not aware that some people were unable to meet the deadline. That has not come to my notice. Even the deadline is not about Lagos State, it is WAEC issue. Their examinations will start in March and they have the deadline to tidy things up, ” he said.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

7 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria

Published

20 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Federal Government to retaliate against South African businesses operating in Nigeria following the recent attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Oshiomhole said the Federal Government should consider revoking the working license of South African owned companies such as MTN and DSTV.

He argued that Nigeria must respond firmly to what he described as persistent hostility against its citizens.

“I am not going to shed tears. If you hit me, I hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It is an economic struggle,” Oshiomhole said.

He argued that while some South Africans accuse Nigerians of taking their jobs, Nigerians should return home and take over employment opportunities created by major South African companies operating in the country, including MTN and DSTV.

“When we hit back, the President of South Africa will not only talk but will also go on his knees to recognise that Nigeria cannot be intimidated.

“We will not condone any life being lost. If a crime has been committed under the South African law they have the right to bring any such person to justice, but to kill our people as if we are helpless, we will not allow that,” Oshiomhole added.

DAILY POST reports that several Nigerians in South Africa have reportedly been attacked, and their businesses destroyed, in ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.