Category: Daily Trust

Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi has vowed to make infrastructure development and nationwide talent discovery the cornerstone of his administration as the new President of the Nigeria Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation.

Ogunbiyi, who was elected unopposed after polling all 13 votes in a transparent election held at the Media Centre of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, succeeds Rear Admiral Festus Porbeni (rtd). The election, described by stakeholders as one of the freest and fairest in recent times, also saw Mr. Kayode Abulazeez emerge as Vice President with 13 unanimous votes.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Ogunbiyi commended the outgoing leadership for laying a strong foundation and steering the Federation to international recognition through consistent participation in global events, including Olympic qualifiers. He emphasized that the next phase of growth will focus on building world-class infrastructure and developing talent from all corners of the nation.

‘Nigeria is richly endowed with vast water resources, and these natural assets must be turned into hubs for sporting excellence,’ Ogunbiyi said. ‘We will invest in infrastructure that meets global standards and establish programs that discover, nurture, and empower athletes from every region of the country.’

The new president underscored that the Federation’s vision aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, pledging to create a sustainable ecosystem that combines public and private sector support.

Acknowledging the long-standing challenge of poor maintenance culture, Ogunbiyi promised a dual approach – constructing new facilities while ensuring the proper maintenance and modernization of existing ones. He expressed confidence that, with focused investment and collaboration, Nigeria would witness a dramatic leap in rowing, canoeing, and sailing within the next two years.

Vice President Kayode Abulazeez echoed Ogunbiyi’s vision, stressing that robust infrastructure is essential for uncovering hidden talents across Nigeria’s diverse regions.

‘From Lagos Lagoon to River Niger and beyond, our waterways are a gift. The goal is to make rowing, canoeing, and sailing truly national sports accessible to all Nigerians,’ he said.

Nigerians across the United States on Saturday turned New York into a sea of colour, music, and patriotism as they celebrated the 2025 Nigeria Independence Day Parade and Carnival.

The event brought together thousands of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria from across the US and beyond.

The parade procession, which stretched from East 38th Street to East 24th Street along Madison Avenue, shut down the busy midtown corridor to traffic.

It was led by the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN), in collaboration with the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York and other partner organisations.

Uniformed contingents from the New York Police Department, the New York City Department of Correction and other diaspora groups marched alongside Nigerian cultural associations, professional bodies, religious organisations and youth groups.

The vibrant floats, traditional attire and dance troupes drew cheers from spectators lining the streets.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were the Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Abubakar Jidda; UN Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed; and the Acting Ambassador of Nigeria to the US, Amb. Samson Itegboje.

Following the parade, the event transitioned into a full carnival at Madison Square Park, featuring electrifying musical performances and cultural displays, including those by Chinese dance troupes.

Popular Nigerian artist Bella Shmurda headlined the entertainment, thrilling the youthful crowd and energising the festival atmosphere.

In his remarks, Jidda congratulated Nigerians in the diaspora and commended the organisers for sustaining the parade and carnival annually since 1991.

‘Nigeria remains a great nation, and 65 years of independence is worth celebrating in spite of its challenges,’ Jidda said.

‘Our people are our strength, and Nigerians have been a blessing to the world, particularly here in the United States, where our human resources continue to excel,’ he said.

Jidda noted that Nigeria remains the only African nation that hosts a full-scale Independence Day parade and carnival in New York City – a tradition that has positioned Nigerians as a visible and influential diaspora community.

For the second straight year, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in partnership with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), the publisher of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, has won the 2025 Golden World Award (GWA) from the International Public Relations Association (IPRA).

The prize was presented at the body’s 70th anniversary in Ghana.

The historic event featured the inauguration of IPRA’s new President, Esther Amba Numaba Cobbah, the first African woman to assume the role.

She succeeds Natasa Pavlovic Bujas.

Established in 1990, the Golden World Awards – regarded as the ‘Oscars of Public Relations’ – celebrate campaigns that exemplify excellence, ethics, and impact. The 2025 gala, the first-ever hosted on African soil, coincided with Ghana’s Institute of Public Relations’ 50th anniversary.

The NCS-IMPR partnership topped the Publication category with a book titled ‘Impactful Public Relations in Customs Management,’ which highlights innovative PR strategies implemented under the leadership of Comptroller-General Wale Adeniyi.

It comprises practical case studies and engagement tools, and illustrates how strategic communication can enhance an institution’s reputation through transparency, boost revenue through stakeholder engagement, and reinforce national security through effective crisis communication.

orsed by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), the 162-page publication co-authored by Kabir Abdulsalam and Maryam Na’Allah also received commendation from Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Receiving the award in Accra, Nigeria Customs spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, remarked, ‘This honour reaffirms the power of communication in building institutional credibility. Under CG Adeniyi, our service has embraced transparency, innovation, and accountability.’

Dr. Sule Yau Sule, Chairman of IMPR’s Board of Directors, described the honour as a testament to public-private collaboration in strategic communication: ‘This recognition proves that Nigerian agencies can compete globally. PR is not just for publicity; it is a tool for reform and public trust.’

The latest accolade came after the 2024 GWA win in Belgrade, Serbia, where the ‘100 Days of Impactful PR at Customs Service’ campaign triumphed in the Crisis Management category, positioning the NCS as a global benchmark for reform-driven government communication.

Led by CEO Yushau Shuaib, IMPR has secured IPRA awards for nine consecutive years since 2016. It was named the Most Creative PR Agency Worldwide in 2020 by the Global Creativity Index (GCI) published by PRovoke Media, organisers of the SABRE Awards.

One of Nigeria’s leading real estate firm, Bilaad Realty has revealed that it is mentoring young Nigerians in the real estate and other sectors of the economy as part of private sector contributions to national growth and development as government alone cannot do everything.

Cordinating Trustee at Bilaad Development Trust, Dr. Sadiq Suleiman Abdullahi made the disclosure in Abuja over the weekend at the 4th edition of the Gem Hunt series, themed ‘Reboot Nigeria: Echoes from the Past, Visions of the Future.’

He said ‘Bilaad has leveraged on our professional network and got over 150 internship slots from blue chip companies and sign MOU with universities to give us the high flyers from STEM, that science, technology, engineering and maths.

During the holiday rather than them sit at home and do nothing give them to us. We’ll fix them you know across these internship places. Number one they are being productive during holidays.

Then number two there’s a link between academia and industry. So by the time they get to NYSC and they finish NYSC they already have some experience. So there’s strategic linkages between us and critical partners and when we are done.

‘As such, we mentor these young ones across real estate and other sectors so that they are equipped with skills to thrive on different sectors of the economy, ‘ he said

He added that for entrepreneurs, some are supported with funding give them funding supports while for those that are in branding, Bilaad reaches out to networks across branding industry to assist them

Winners of the Gem Hunt Series 4.0 were Ayomide Christopher Dada (Communication and Branding Experts), Muhammad Abduljalal Musa, Winner (NYSC Category) and Judith James (Secondary School category)

A middle-aged man identified only as TJ has reportedly murdered his wife, Queen, in Edo State.

It was gathered that the incident happened last Tuesday in Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The man was alleged to have killed his wife at night with an axe and absconded after committing the crime.

A source told Daily Trust that the suspect, who hails from the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state but resides in Auchi, celebrated the birthday of his two-year-old son alongside his wife just before the unfortunate incident.

He said there was no inkling indicating that there had been a misunderstanding between the couple before the killing.

He said, ‘On Monday night, we went to sleep, but the man and his wife were not seen by neighbours at dawn, who thought the couple might still be enjoying their sleep.’

‘But later, only their two-year-old boy came out of the room with a bloodstain on his body.’

He said the bloodstain attracted neighbours to the boy, but they discovered no injury on him, adding that his mother did not answer after repeated calls.

‘People then went into the room only to discover the lifeless body of the woman in a pool of blood with her throat slit, while the husband was nowhere to be found,’ the source added.

He said it was later learned that the husband absconded to an unknown destination after killing her.

He said the matter was reported to the police in Auchi, who had begun a manhunt for the suspect.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the police in the state, CSP Moses Yamu, said the suspect has since been arrested by the command.

He said he has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2025 World Teachers’ Day, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and education experts expressed deep concern over the worsening state of the country’s education sector, citing an acute shortage of qualified teachers, poor welfare conditions, and inadequate funding.

Speaking at the celebration held at Eagle Square, Abuja, the NUT National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, said statistics from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) showed that public primary schools across the country face a shortfall of 194,876 teachers.

It will be recalled that during the 2022 edition of World Teachers’ Day, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Audrey Azoulay, disclosed that the world would need 69 million new teachers by 2030 to achieve universal basic education.

‘It is alarming that Nigeria has a shortage of 194,876 teachers in public primary schools across the country. The situation in our secondary schools is not encouraging either. This manpower crisis has grave implications for the quality of education and learning outcomes in our schools,’ Amba said.

He warned that the acute shortage undermines Nigeria’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on inclusive and equitable quality education and urged all tiers of government to act decisively.

‘We add our voice to the global call to make teaching more attractive to younger generations. Government must employ the right number and quality of teachers to sustain effective education delivery in our school system,’ he added.

Pledges on teachers’ welfare unfulfilled

Amba also expressed frustration over unfulfilled promises to improve teachers’ welfare, despite commitments made since 2020. He recalled that the federal government, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, approved several incentives – including a special salary scale, harmonised retirement age, and low-cost housing for rural teachers – but lamented that many remain unimplemented.

‘It is worrisome that apart from the new retirement age of 65 years, which has been implemented by 22 states and the FCT, most of the approved incentives have not been fulfilled. We call on both federal and state governments to fully implement these welfare packages to restore dignity and pride to the teaching profession,’ he said.

On the implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage, the NUT President revealed that ten states had not fully implemented the new wage, while four were yet to begin.

The union also raised concerns about poor education funding, noting that Nigeria continues to fall below international standards recommending that countries allocate 4-6% of GDP or 15-20% of total public expenditure to education.

Amba disclosed that as of March 2024, about N54 billion in matching grants from the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme remained unaccessed by some states and the FCT due to failure to meet counterpart funding requirements.

‘The inability of states to draw down these funds has further crippled efforts to strengthen the basic education sub-sector and improve teaching conditions,’ he said.

The NUT also condemned the recent move by the Edo State Government to hand over some public schools to private institutions and voluntary agencies, describing it as a step that undermines the principles of free and universal education.

The union said such actions threaten accessibility and equity, particularly for vulnerable groups such as girls, children with disabilities, and those in rural areas.

It called on the Edo State Government to reverse the policy and uphold its constitutional obligation to provide inclusive and equitable education.

The union also reiterated the importance of teacher welfare, referencing a 2008 ILO/UNESCO report that highlights teachers’ well-being as key to attracting and retaining qualified professionals.

Teachers’ pay not encouraging

Mr. Bobby Winful of Federal Government Boys College, Abuja, attributed the shortage of teachers to several factors, including poor welfare packages and a declining number of certified teachers entering the profession.

‘We are having this shortage because the welfare package is not encouraging. The salaries are not forthcoming. Just imagine teachers going to work for three years without salaries. And we have a decreased number of qualified and certified teachers as most students avoid studying education in the university, and that’s because they are aware of the poor working conditions, welfare package and salaries,’ he said.

The Director of Chalcedony Group of Schools, Dr. Mary Chinwuba, attributed the worsening shortage of teachers in the country to burnout and poor working conditions, calling for urgent measures to improve teachers’ welfare.

‘We are facing acute shortages because teachers are burning out easily due to low pay and high attrition rates. To address this, salaries should be increased alongside improved working conditions and adequate support. There should also be deliberate efforts to recruit more teachers into training programmes and retain experienced staff through better policies, enhanced professional autonomy, and a more positive school environment,’ she said.

The Director of Tekash Group of Schools, Abuja, Mrs. Adadazu Nengi, blamed the situation on the influx of unqualified and disinterested individuals into the teaching profession.

‘The teaching profession has this shortage because people are not interested in the job. Even those in it are there because of a lack of jobs. Most are not qualified to teach. Also, those who are qualified don’t want to teach because the pay is poor, coupled with the poor economy. Most have gone the route of japa after obtaining the necessary teaching qualification,’ she said.

Similarly, Ms. Adaora Nwafor of Funtaj International School observed that the teaching profession has lost its prestige, as many people feel reluctant to identify as teachers due to the low pay and poor perception of the job.

‘Teachers are faced with poor numeration as they go home with peanuts. To bridge this gap, teachers should have health insurance scheme, housing allowance and other incentives. It is said our reward is in heaven, but it will be nice to enjoy the reward on earth. What if a teacher doesn’t make it to heaven? At least he should enjoy it on earth. We are nation builders and we should be paid well,’ she said.

Govt urges teachers to collaborate

In his keynote address, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, reaffirmed the government’s recognition of teachers as the foundation of national progress.

‘Teachers remain the bedrock of human capital development and the cornerstone of national progress. Rewarding teachers is not just an act of recognition-it is an investment in quality education, student achievement, and the future of our nation,’ Dr. Alausa said.

Dr. Alausa outlined several reforms aimed at revitalising the profession, including the National Teacher Policy, TRCN’s regulatory oversight, NTI’s continuous professional development, and UBEC’s capacity-building initiatives.

‘The ministry is leveraging ICT to connect teachers across states and provide access to global best practices. Peer support structures are being encouraged nationwide to promote shared learning and innovation,’ he said.

Dr. Alausa urged teacher unions, parents, community leaders, and development partners to work together to achieve the goals of the Education for Renewed Hope Agenda and SDG 4.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, highlighted ongoing government efforts to enhance the teaching profession through digital literacy initiatives and professional learning communities.

‘The realities of modern education demand that teachers work together-sharing expertise, supporting one another, and learning collectively,’ she said.

Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, called for renewed efforts to support teachers through professional development and policy implementation.

‘When Nigerian teachers collaborate and thrive, our children learn better, our schools become stronger, and our nation is assured of a brighter future,’ he said.

4 govs honoured for improving teachers’ welfare

Meanwhile, four governors were honoured for their exceptional contributions to improving teacher welfare and education delivery in their respective states.

The award ceremony, held at Eagle Square, Abuja, recognised the Governors of Katsina, Adamawa, Kogi, and Delta States for implementing teacher-friendly policies, expanding access to education, and enhancing the teaching and learning environment.

In Katsina State, Governor Dikko Umar Radda was celebrated for recruiting 7,325 teachers to bridge manpower gaps in schools, approving and implementing a N70,000 minimum wage, and constructing over 3,000 classrooms and staff quarters in hard-to-reach areas.

In Adamawa State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri was recognised for employing 5,000 teachers, constructing model schools across all 21 local government areas, and renovating an additional 6,000 classrooms.

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, also received accolades for acceding to teachers’ long-standing demand for 100% salary payment and promptly implementing a N72,500 minimum wage since October 2024.

His administration appointed classroom teachers as education secretaries and permanent secretaries, and rehabilitated over 4,000 classrooms across the 21 LGAs.

Similarly, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, was honoured for his administration’s remarkable progress under the M.O.R.E. Agenda, including the full implementation of the national minimum wage, unconditional approval of teachers’ retirement age extension, and recruitment of 5,000 teachers between 2022 and 2023.

The state was also commended for the prompt promotion and regular salary payment of teachers and the appointment of qualified principals as permanent secretaries.

There was palpable fear at the weekend in Bwari town, the headquarters of the Bwari Area Council of the FCT, as well as other communities that border Niger State, when gunmen suspected to be kidnappers shot two persons to death.

Abuja Metro learned that the victims, who were killed on Friday night, were returning from Gwagwalada Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, where they had attended a wedding ceremony.

Locals told our reporter in Abuja that the wedding guests, four in number, were on two motorcycles heading back to Garam, a community near Bwari town in the FCT but under Tafa LGA of Niger State.

They were reportedly flagged down by the gunmen around 10:30 pm at Rafin-Azum, which is not far from the Garam community, after the bandits noticed their movement as they were approaching them with the flash from the motorcycles’ light.

Dantani Daniel, Commander of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) in Garam, while chatting with Abuja Metro on the phone yesterday, disclosed that the gunmen had earlier abducted a herder from Jinkasa village, located within Dogon-Daji forest, also in the council.

He said one of the four wedding guests was able to escape at the spot, while two others were shot by the gunmen as they were attempting to escape too. ‘One of them died instantly, while the other one died at the Bwari General Hospital where he was rushed to. The remaining one person is yet to be heard of and is feared to have been taken away by the kidnappers,’ Daniel added.

He further stated that the herdsman who was first abducted by the gunmen also used the advantage of the confrontation to escape.

It was gathered that the two deceased were buried on Saturday, after a funeral prayer in the community in accordance with Islamic rites.

When contacted, the Suleja Police Area Commander, Muhammad Sani Musa, who was said to have attended the prayers, confirmed the incident to our reporter.

Palpable fear in Bwari

Meanwhile, there has been heightened fear among residents of Bwari following the resurgence of banditry activities in the council recently.

It would be recalled that the council had witnessed several attacks in many communities with many deaths and a greater number kidnapped.

Last Monday, kidnappers reportedly attacked Kungabokun, a remote community located near Byazhin-Across on the outskirts of Kubwa in the same council, killing a veterinary doctor and abducting three of his children.

A community leader in Bwari, Danteni Alhassan, said many people are now scared, fearing the return of the old situation when bandits were killing and abducting residents.

He said, ‘Let me be frank with you, there is fear among the residents now; we can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed. The situation is gradually escalating and something needs to be done urgently.’

Another resident, Kilani Jimoh, pleaded with the security agencies to monitor the boundaries around Niger and Kaduna states, from where he said bandits often come to attack Bwari and its villages.

FCT is safe-Wike

Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reassured residents that Abuja is a safe and secure city.

The Minister gave the assurance while responding to a question about security concerns in the nation’s capital during a project inspection at the weekend.

Wike emphasized that there is improved security in the FCT compared to what was obtained in the past, stressing that isolated incidents of insecurity do not define the city’s overall safety.

‘If there is one safe city in this country, I think Abuja is that city,’ the Minister stated, noting that the ‘Light Up Abuja’ program, which involves installing solar streetlights across districts and expressways, is also a strategic initiative to further enhance security.

He said, ‘The problem we have here is that when one incident happens, we forget that three months ago, nothing happened. You should give us and the security agencies credit that we are doing quite a lot to make Abuja safe, and Abuja has been safe.

‘We do agree that something may happen but that does not mean that Abuja is not safe. I don’t want us to take that to mean that the city is not safe. If there is one safe city in this country, I think Abuja is that city,’ Wike added.

The 10th season of the reality television show Big Brother Naija came to a close on Sunday, with 23-year-old Imisi Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, emerging as the winner.

Imisi, who enjoyed massive support from her loyal fanbase known as ‘Ijoba 606,’ clinched the title after ten weeks in the Big Brother House, beating 28 other contestants to take home the grand prize of N150 million, which includes N80 million in cash and a brand-new SUV.

She secured the win through votes from fans across Nigeria and abroad, finishing ahead of Dede Ashiogwu and Koyin Sanusi, who emerged as first and second runner-up respectively.

Her victory makes her the fourth female housemate to win the reality show since its inception, joining Mercy Eke, Phyna, and Ilebaye in the winners’ circle.

Speaking after the finale, Atinuke Babatunde, Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels at MultiChoice, described the season as ‘phenomenal.’

‘The housemates gave Nigerians unforgettable moments, and Imisi’s win is a testament to her authenticity, resilience, and ability to connect with fans,’ Babatunde said.

‘At MultiChoice, we are proud to continue creating platforms that celebrate Nigerian talent, showcase our culture, and unite audiences across Africa.’

Now in its 10th season, Big Brother Naija continues to rank as one of Africa’s most popular reality television shows, credited with producing several entertainment stars and shaping contemporary pop culture across the continent.

The Ondo State Police Command says it has nabbed 10 suspects in connection with the attempted murder of the monarch of Igoba community, Akure North Local Government Area of the state, as well as an armed robbery attack on the community.

DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the command’s spokesperson, made this known in a statement at the weekend in Akure.

Ayanlade said the suspects were arrested following the attack on one Mrs. Ogunoye Oluomo and the attempt to assassinate the community’s traditional ruler, Oba Adinlewa John, on October 2 at about 11:30 am.

According to him, on the said date, a group of hoodlums armed with firearms, knives, charms, and other dangerous weapons, invaded Igoba community with the intent to wreak havoc.

The spokesperson explained that in the course of the suspects’ violent activities, Oluomo was viciously attacked, injured, and dispossessed of her belongings.

Ayanlade said the assailants further advanced to the traditional ruler’s palace in an attempt to assassinate him. Fortunately, Oba John narrowly escaped the life-threatening assault, he added.

‘Upon receipt of the distress call, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, Cy Adebowale Lawal, promptly directed all necessary operational assets and manpower to the area,’ he said.

Across the world, governments are rethinking the role of digital devices in classrooms. Digital devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smartwatches are electronic tools that enable communication, information access, and interactive learning. While they have become central to modern education, their overuse is now under scrutiny. Countries once hailed for their rapid embrace of technology are now reversing course, citing evidence of declining attention spans, concentration, difficulty with information retention and a rise in what experts call digital dementia, a condition where overdependence on screens leads to memory lapses, poor focus, and a decline in cognitive abilities once strengthened by handwriting, deep reading, and sustained attention.

South Korea recently passed a landmark law to ban mobile phones and digital devices in classrooms beginning March 2026, after surveys revealed that more than a third of students admitted social media disrupted their daily lives and a fifth reported feeling anxious when separated from their devices. Brazil followed suit earlier this year, passing federal legislation that restricts smartphones in both public and private schools, a move already showing benefits in improved social interaction. Madrid is going even further, from September 2025, computers and tablets in primary schools will be capped at just two hours a week, with no screen-based homework. Meanwhile, the Netherlands outlawed mobile phones, tablets, and smartwatches in classrooms from January 2024, and Italy expanded its classroom bans in 2025 to cover high school students, requiring devices to be locked away during lessons.

Importantly, these policies are not blanket rejections of technology. Exceptions are made for students with disabilities or specific learning needs, where digital devices serve as assistive tools to aid communication, comprehension, and inclusion in the classroom. When used thoughtfully, technology can even scaffold learning just as psychologist Lev Vygotsky emphasised in his theory of the ‘zone of proximal development.’ With proper guidance, devices can provide the right level of support to help children grasp new concepts, build skills, and bridge learning gaps.

The challenge, however, is balance. Nigeria is moving in the opposite direction of these global shifts. Instead of limiting device use, our schools are pressing forward with greater integration, encouraging students to type assignments and use screens as their primary learning tool. Handwriting, once central to cognitive development, is being quietly phased out. Yet research shows that handwriting engages multiple areas of the brain, strengthens memory, develops fine motor skills, and cultivates patience and concentration in ways typing cannot replicate. By sidelining it, we risk raising a generation that types faster but remembers less, focuses less, and thinks less deeply.

The problem is not limited to the classroom. After school, many Nigerian students return home and pick up the same devices, this time for endless scrolling through social media. What starts as three or more hours of structured device use in class extends into many more hours of unstructured use at home. This ‘double shift’ of screen exposure fragments attention, creates dependency, and gradually undermines the brain’s ability to process information in depth. Worse still, digital devices in schools are not always used for learning. Increasingly, reports from teachers worldwide draw attention to how students misuse them for bullying, gaming, or social media chats, sometimes even while lessons are in progress. Instead of enhancing focus, devices can become a gateway to distraction, ridicule, and cyber-harassment, eroding the safety and seriousness of the classroom.

Educational psychologists warn that unregulated device use in childhood and adolescence has long-term implications. They point to rising cases of poor impulse control, reduced face-to-face social skills, shortened attention spans, and sleep disorders, trends strongly linked to screen overexposure. ‘The brain is like a muscle,’ one psychologist explains. ‘When children stop exercising their memory through handwriting, storytelling, or deep reading, those neural pathways weaken. Devices give quick answers, but they do not train the brain to think critically or remember deeply.’

Global studies reinforce these concerns. School-aged children now spend an average of four to six hours daily on electronic devices, while teenagers often exceed nine hours, far above the recommended one to two hours for healthy development. This heavy use also exposes them to the hidden toxicity of blue light, which suppresses melatonin and disrupts sleep cycles. As a result, many children and teens stay up late at night, glued to glowing screens, sacrificing the deep sleep essential for memory, emotional balance, and focus.

So, what can parents do? Educational psychologists recommend setting healthy digital boundaries at home, encouraging ‘device-free zones’ such as bedrooms and dinner tables, monitoring nighttime use to prevent sleep disruption, and balancing screen time with handwriting, outdoor play, physical activity, and family conversations. Parents are also urged to model responsible digital habits themselves, since children often imitate adult behaviors. Most importantly, families can reinforce the value of handwriting by encouraging journaling, letter-writing, or note-taking, ensuring that children develop cognitive depth alongside digital literacy.

What we are witnessing is not simply a battle over teaching tools. It is about the kind of learners and citizens; we are shaping for the future. If children are trained to rely on devices for both learning and leisure without boundaries, they risk losing the very skills education is meant to build: focus, memory, patience, and critical thinking.

Digital literacy is vital in today’s world, but balance is even more crucial. Other nations are not rejecting technology outright; they are setting boundaries to safeguard young minds. Nigeria must take heed. The task before us is to prepare our children for a digital future without sacrificing their cognitive, emotional, and cultural development. That means blending, not replacing, preserving handwriting, deep reading, and face-to-face learning while using technology thoughtfully as a scaffold for growth and inclusion.

If we fail to strike this balance, we may find ourselves raising a generation that is digitally savvy but mentally scattered, more connected online but less capable of sustained thought, problem-solving, or creativity. And that is too high a price to pay for convenience.