NEWS

JAMB has launched a new service letting 2026 UTME candidates verify and upload their O’Level results from home instead of visiting a CBT center. The system starts with WAEC results, verifying them electronically against the examination body’s records before uploading them to the candidate’s e-Facility profile.

For years, uploading an O’Level result meant standing in long queues at a computer-based test center, often battling network downtime just to get a single document processed.

That’s changing. JAMB’s Acting Director of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, announced the new home-upload service in a statement issued Monday in Abuja, describing it as part of the Board’s push to make its processes “easier, faster, safer, and more convenient.”

How Does the New O’Level Upload System Work?

The service runs through JAMB’s e-Facility platform, which is now integrated directly with examination bodies starting with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), with other bodies expected to follow.

Instead of a candidate manually typing in subjects and grades from a paper certificate, JAMB cross-checks the result electronically against WAEC’s own records before it’s added to the candidate’s profile.

To use it, candidates need to visit JAMB’s portal, enter their National Identification Number (NIN), and select how many examination sittings and which examination body applies to them.

After providing an email address and phone number, they pay the verification fee by card or bank transfer, then enter their examination number, series, and year to receive a verification code.

Candidates with two O’Level sittings then log into their e-Facility dashboard, select “2026 UTME O’Level Upload,” and enter that code.

Their verified results appear on screen, and they choose between five and nine subjects, with no subject repeated before clicking “Apply the O’Level Results” to complete the process. A confirmation notification follows once the upload succeeds.

Why Is JAMB Making This Change Now?

Manual result uploads have long been a weak point in Nigeria’s admission process. Benjamin pointed to recurring problems the new system is designed to fix:

misplaced or mixed-up paper results, candidates presenting fraudulent or unverified certificates, and simple data-entry errors when subjects and grades are typed in by hand.

There’s also a capacity problem. CBT centers get overwhelmed during peak registration periods, and network issues at these centers have historically slowed candidates down at the worst possible time right before admission deadlines.

Moving verification online, directly against WAEC’s database, is meant to relieve that pressure while cutting down on fraud at the same time.

What This Means for 2026 UTME Candidates

This is a genuine convenience upgrade, but it’s not a shortcut around the rules; candidates still need accurate, complete results on file with WAEC before they can verify successfully.

If your result was affected by an “awaiting result” status in a previous cycle, expect JAMB to require a fresh, verified upload rather than accepting an earlier submission.

For now, the service is limited to WAEC results, so NECO and NABTEB candidates should watch for JAMB’s next announcement on when their examination bodies get added to the integration.

Canada issued 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence on August 18, 2026, through the Express Entry Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The minimum CRS score required was 523, the highest CEC cutoff recorded all year. Invited candidates now have 60 days to submit a complete PR application.

If you’ve been building your career in Canada, this could be your moment. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) just ran one of the most competitive Canadian Experience Class draws of 2026, and thousands of skilled workers are now racing against a 60-day clock to lock in permanent residence.

What Happened in the August 18 Draw?

IRCC conducted the draw at 10:13:44 UTC, inviting exactly 1,000 candidates ranked highest in the Express Entry pool. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff came in at 523, a sharp 7-point jump from the 516 cutoff seen in the previous CEC draw on August 5, when 3,000 invitations went out.

That’s not a coincidence. When IRCC shrinks the number of invitations, the bar to qualify rises automatically, since only the very top-ranked profiles in the pool make the cut.

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Lena Metlege Diab signed off on the instructions in Ottawa, permitting invitations to be issued between August 18 and 19.

For candidates who tied at exactly 523 points, IRCC applied its usual tie-breaking rule: priority went to whoever submitted their Express Entry profile earliest, with the cutoff timestamp set at August 17, 2026, 22:09:00 UTC.

Do You Have the Right Credentials to Qualify?

The Canadian Experience Class targets people who already have real Canadian work experience, not new applicants starting from scratch. To be eligible, you generally need:

• At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of skilled work experience in Canada within the last 3 years
• Work experience in an occupation classified under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
• A minimum language score of CLB 7 for TEER 0/1 jobs, or CLB 5 for TEER 2/3 jobs
• No formal education requirement, and no proof of settlement funds needed
• A plan to live outside Quebec

If that sounds like you, your CRS score built from age, education, language ability, and work experience determines whether you’ll make the cut in the next round.

Is This a Sign of Things to Come?

By mid-August 2026, IRCC had already issued more than 113,000 invitations through Express Entry this year, with CEC candidates receiving a significant share. But this draw’s smaller size and higher cutoff suggest IRCC is being more selective in the short term, meaning your CRS score matters more than ever if you’re hoping to be invited next.

Candidates sitting just below 523 shouldn’t panic. Cutoffs move up and down depending purely on how many invitations IRCC issues in a given round; a future draw with 2,000 or more ITAs could bring the score back down.

Wondering if your work experience and credentials qualify you for Express Entry? Check our full guide on how to apply for Canadian permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class for a step-by-step breakdown of eligibility and the application process.

WhatsApp is rolling out a major privacy upgrade that will allow users to create and use usernames instead of sharing their phone numbers to connect with others.

This major privacy upgrade comes as tech companies continue to integrate more AI features, similar to how Meta is building the Hatch AI agent for Instagram.

The Meta-owned messaging app announced on Monday that the new feature will soon be available globally.

This means you will be able to chat, call, or join groups by simply sharing your username. keeping your personal phone number private.

This update is expected to be particularly helpful for business owners, content creators, influencers, and anyone who wants to interact with a larger audience without exposing their contact details.

It adds another layer of privacy and convenience to one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms.

Why This Change Matters

For years, WhatsApp has required users to share their phone numbers to start conversations.

While the app has introduced several privacy features like disappearing messages and end-to-end encryption, the username system takes privacy a step further by reducing the need to reveal personal information.

The feature is part of Meta’s broader effort to make its platforms more user-friendly and secure. Users will be able to set a unique username in their account settings, which others can then use to find and message them.

Nigerian users, who form one of the largest WhatsApp communities globally, stand to benefit significantly.

Many people use the app for both personal and business purposes, and this update will make it easier and safer to connect without compromising privacy.

What to Expect

According to reports, the username feature will begin rolling out gradually in the coming weeks. Users will receive notifications when it becomes available on their accounts.

WhatsApp has assured that the change will not affect existing chats or contacts.

This development comes at a time when privacy concerns are at an all-time high. Many users have welcomed the news, seeing it as a long-awaited improvement that puts more control back in their hands.

As WhatsApp continues to evolve, features like usernames show the company’s commitment to balancing functionality with user privacy.

For millions of Nigerians who rely on the app daily, this is a welcome step toward a safer and more convenient messaging experience.

Iran has fired back at US President Donald Trump after he threatened further military action against the country. Iran’s chief negotiator,

Mohammad Ghalibaf warned that the Islamic Republic’s armed forces are fully prepared to respond to any American aggression.

In a strong statement, Ghalibaf said Iran does not take US threats seriously and urged America to be careful with its words. “Our armed forces are ready to respond to them in a different manner,” he declared.

Trump had earlier posted on his Truth Social platform, warning Iran to stop its support for Hezbollah in Lebanon or face even stronger strikes than before.

This latest exchange comes just days after both countries signed a preliminary agreement aimed at ending their conflict.

Background of the Rising Tension

The current standoff is linked to the wider Middle East crisis, particularly the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Iran has repeatedly accused the US and Israel of provoking the situation, while Trump has maintained a hardline position against Tehran.

The recent memorandum of understanding between Iran and the US specifically stated that both countries would refrain from the threat or use of force. However, Trump’s fresh comments have reportedly caused a temporary suspension of further talks.

Implications for the Region and Beyond

This war of words highlights how fragile peace remains in the Middle East. Any escalation could have serious consequences, including higher global oil prices that would directly affect countries like Nigeria.

For now, the situation remains tense, but no new military action has been reported. Both sides appear to be engaged in a high-stakes game of threats and diplomacy.

Many international observers are calling for calm and urging both countries to return to the negotiating table. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the conflict de-escalates or spirals further.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a significant policy change that will reshape admission into colleges of education across Nigeria.

Starting from the 2026/2027 academic session, JAMB will no longer conduct admissions into affiliated degree programs offered by colleges of education.

This major policy change will affect thousands of students, similar to recent reforms such as JAMB urging parents to protest admission bias.

This means the National Certificate in Education (NCE) will now be the only recognized entry route into these institutions.

What the New Policy Means

Under the new rule, candidates who want to pursue degree programs will have to first obtain their NCE before applying for direct entry into universities.

This effectively ends the dual system where colleges of education ran both NCE certificates and full degree programs simultaneously.

JAMB’s decision is aimed at restoring focus to the core mandate of colleges of education producing well-trained teachers through the NCE program.

Many education stakeholders have welcomed the move, arguing that the previous arrangement had created confusion and weakened the quality of teacher training in the country.

Impact on Students and Institutions

For prospective students, this change brings more clarity. Those interested in teaching can now follow a straightforward path:

complete the NCE program, gain practical experience if needed, and then proceed to university for a degree through direct entry.

Colleges of Education will now concentrate on strengthening their NCE programs. Institutions currently running affiliated degree programs will need to adjust their structures and focus more on their traditional role as teacher-training colleges.

This policy is part of ongoing efforts to improve standards in Nigeria’s education system. By streamlining admissions, JAMB hopes to reduce irregularities and ensure that only qualified candidates enter the teaching profession.

As the new academic session approaches, candidates and parents are advised to take note of this important change and plan their educational journey accordingly.

JAMB has promised to provide more guidance and updates on the implementation of the new policy.

Iran has launched missiles towards Israel, marking the first direct attack of its kind since the April ceasefire between the two nations.

The escalation comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Iran citing Israel’s recent actions in Lebanon as the trigger.

According to reports, the Israeli military confirmed detecting missiles launched from Iranian territory. This development has raised fears of a wider regional conflict, as both sides have been engaged in shadow wars and proxy battles for years.

The Iranian move appears to be a direct response to what Tehran describes as “evil genocidal attacks” on Lebanon. Iranian officials have warned of further strikes if Israel continues its operations in the region.

Israel, on the other hand, has not yet issued a full response but is expected to retaliate strongly, as it has done in previous exchanges.

The renewed missile attack is significant because it breaks a fragile ceasefire that had been holding since April.

The Middle East has been on edge for months, with multiple flashpoints including the Israel-Gaza conflict, Hezbollah activities in Lebanon, and rising tensions between Iran and the United States.

For Nigeria and many other countries, any major escalation in the Middle East usually leads to higher oil prices and increased economic pressure.

Nigerians are already feeling the impact of previous tensions through rising fuel costs, and further instability could worsen the situation.

Global leaders have called for restraint from both sides to prevent the conflict from spiraling out of control. The United Nations and other international bodies are closely monitoring the situation.

This latest exchange highlights how quickly things can escalate in the region. While the full impact is still unfolding, one thing is clear: the fragile peace in the Middle East remains under serious threat.

The World Bank has cancelled $717.7 million meant for electricity sector reforms in Nigeria due to economic challenges and implementation difficulties.

This decision, coming at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with poor power supply and rising electricity tariffs, has sparked widespread concern and disappointment.

The funds were originally allocated to support key power sector projects aimed at improving generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity across the country.

However, both the Nigerian government and the World Bank agreed to cancel the facility after reviewing the current economic realities and slow progress in project execution.

Many Nigerians took to social media, particularly Instagram, to express their frustrations in the World Bank’s comment sections. The outcry highlighted the daily suffering caused by unstable electricity supply, with businesses closing down, students studying under candlelight, and households spending heavily on generators and fuel.

Why the Funding Was Cancelled

According to reports, the cancellation was influenced by Nigeria’s difficult macroeconomic environment, including high inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and challenges in meeting project milestones.

The power sector has long been plagued by issues such as inadequate infrastructure, policy inconsistencies, and funding gaps, making it difficult to achieve meaningful reforms.

This development raises serious questions about the future of power sector improvement in Nigeria.

While the government has made some efforts through initiatives like the Siemens power deal and distribution company privatization, the reality on the ground remains harsh for most citizens.

The cancellation of such a large sum of money is a significant setback. It means delayed projects, slower progress in expanding electricity access, and continued reliance on expensive alternative power sources for millions of Nigerians.

Stakeholders are calling on both the federal government and the World Bank to explore alternative ways to revive much-needed investments in the power sector.

Many believe that without genuine reforms, strong political will, and better project execution, attracting and retaining international funding will remain a major challenge.

For now, Nigerians continue to hope for a more stable and affordable electricity supply, even as this latest development adds to the growing list of hurdles facing the nation’s power sector.