First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. (FirstBank) has reinforced its commitment to women entrepreneurship with the inauguration of ”Spark A Gem Challenge”, awarding N10 million in grants to outstanding women-owned businesses.

A statement by the bank on Sunday in Lagos, said the initiative was a flagship programme under its ”Women Preneur Pitch-A-Ton” programme and ”FirstGem” proposition.

It said the initiative was designed to provide women entrepreneurs with business training, mentorship, networking opportunities and funding support.

According to the bank, the programme attracted 356 applications from women-owned businesses operating in agriculture, education, healthcare, food services and other sectors of the economy.

It added that after a rigorous selection process, eight finalists underwent a four-day capacity-building programme before pitching their business ideas to an independent panel of judges.

It said Mrs Onyinye Obayi, founder of Honeypot Confections Ltd., emerged as the overall winner, receiving a N5 million grant.

It also said that the first and second runners-up received N3 million and N2 million, respectively, bringing the total grant disbursement to N10 million.

The bank further said that all applicants had been integrated into its FirstGem ecosystem, giving them access to banking services, advisory support and future credit opportunities.

Mr Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business and Retail Products at FirstBank, said the initiative reflected the bank’s commitment to supporting women beyond providing finance.

”When women thrive, economies thrive. Women entrepreneurs play a critical role in driving economic growth, job creation and community development.

”Spark A Gem was deliberately designed to identify promising women-led businesses, strengthen their financial and business capabilities and support their long-term growth,” he said.

Ezirim noted that access to finance alone was insufficient for business success, stressing that women entrepreneurs achieved better outcomes when funding was combined with mentorship, financial literacy and strong business networks.

He said the challenge was developed to improve business readiness, strengthen enterprise growth and promote sustainable businesses.

According to him, the initiative aligns with FirstBank’s vision of advancing women’s economic empowerment, deepening financial inclusion and promoting inclusive economic growth across Nigeria

The newly appointed Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Segun Aina, has officially assumed office, promising to protect the integrity of the examination body and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary admissions process.

Speaking on Friday during a formal handover ceremony at JAMB’s National Headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, Aina said integrity would remain the foundation of his administration, stressing that no institution can earn public trust without transparency, fairness and accountability.

According to him, every decision taken under his leadership will be guided by the need to preserve the credibility of JAMB, noting that technology and operational efficiency are meaningless if they are not built on integrity.

The new registrar declared a zero-tolerance policy against examination malpractice, admission fraud, impersonation, certificate forgery, cybercrime and corruption. He warned individuals and groups involved in such illegal activities that the Board would intensify efforts to identify, expose and prosecute offenders through advanced technology, intelligence gathering and stronger institutional oversight.

Aina said JAMB would also deepen collaboration with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders while adopting global best practices to combat emerging forms of examination fraud and protect the integrity of its systems.

He stressed that every admission secured through dishonest means denies a deserving candidate the opportunity to gain admission on merit, adding that the Board would remain committed to fairness and equal opportunity for all qualified applicants.

Beyond tackling malpractice, the registrar unveiled plans to improve JAMB’s service delivery by simplifying procedures, strengthening communication channels and deploying technology to make registration, admission processing and other services more efficient and user-friendly.

He said his vision is to build a transparent, accessible and citizen-focused institution where candidates, parents and educational institutions receive timely information and professional support, rather than experiencing unnecessary delays and frustration.

Describing JAMB as a critical institution that shapes the future of millions of Nigerian youths through access to higher education, Aina expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing him as registrar. He pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him through diligent service and commitment to the public interest.

He also appreciated the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for his support and promised to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Education to advance reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s education sector.

The new registrar paid tribute to former leaders of JAMB, including pioneer Registrar Michael Saidu Angulu, Mohammed Abubakar, Bello Salim, Dibu Ojerinde and his immediate predecessor, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, acknowledging their contributions to the growth and credibility of the Board.

He gave special commendation to Oloyede for his transformative leadership and reforms, noting that the smooth transition demonstrated JAMB’s culture of professionalism and institutional continuity.

Reflecting on his appointment, Aina described it as a “full-circle moment,” recalling that he once served at JAMB as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member nearly two decades ago. He said returning to lead the institution was both humbling and inspiring, and pledged to build on its achievements while preparing it to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving educational landscape.

The Federal Government has suspended the proposed increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), following widespread public reactions and calls for broader consultations.

The decision was announced on Monday in a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo.

According to the ministry, the earlier communication dated June 18, 2026, which conveyed the proposed adjustment in examination registration fees, has been officially withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review of the proposal.

Boriowo explained that the suspension followed concerns and constructive feedback from members of the public regarding the planned increase. She noted that the ministry would now engage relevant stakeholders before arriving at a final decision.

She said the proposed fee review was initially prompted by prevailing economic realities and the increasing cost of conducting credible national examinations. These include rising expenses associated with logistics, security, printing of examination materials, deployment of technology, quality assurance, and other essential operational services.

The statement quoted the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, as directing that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.

As part of the review process, the ministry said it would consult with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, and other critical stakeholders in the education sector.

The ministry stressed that the proposed increase in examination registration fees will not take effect until the consultation process has been concluded and a final decision is reached.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the education sector, the ministry stated that the welfare of students, equitable access to quality education, and responsible policy decisions remain central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

It also appreciated Nigerians for their understanding, patience and continued support, assuring the public that updates would be provided as consultations progress.