Mon. May 25th, 2026
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About TaRL Africa 

TaRL Africa initiative is hosted by Empower Learning Africa, a not-for-profit organisation registered and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with teams in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Zambia and locally registered offices in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. TaRL Africa began as a joint venture by Pratham and J-PAL in 2019, with the goal of supporting governments and organisations across Africa to accelerate children’s foundational skill learning using the evidence-based “Teaching at the Right Level” (TaRL) approach.

 

Role Purpose

 

Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Africa seeks a Measurement, Monitoring and Review (MMR) Associate to support the measuring and monitoring component of TaRL interventions in Nigeria. The role will begin by focusing on the design and development of a TaRL programme in Kano. The MMR Associate will work together with the Kaduna state government to design a feasible and scalable monitoring strategy which integrates as much as possible into existing structures and systems, as well as provide ongoing support to Quality Assurance and EMIS officials to build their capacity to understand and respond to data. This role provides an excellent opportunity to improve the learning outcomes of primary school children in Kaduna State and to be part of a leading evidence-based initiative tackling the learning crisis in Africa.

Major roles and responsibilities:

 

1. Support the government and TaRL Africa team to develop a Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation (MLE) strategy/actions plans:

  • Develop a strong understanding of the program and government’s existing measurement and monitoring systems.
  • Support the development of measurement and data aggregation tools in collaboration with government officials.
  • Collaborate with partners to incorporate monitoring and measurement best practices into the overall program design.

2. Support data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination:

  • Regularly visit the programme schools, collate monitoring information and research, and support the team in writing case studies to highlight project impact and learning.
  • Regularly document the field observations and feed into programme reviews and strengthening.
  • Support the analysis of program data and prepare dashboards and reports as needed.
  • Promote the sharing of programme best practices through formal and informal workshops of the field team.
  • Communicate and connect with monitoring and teacher support staff within the government regularly through phone calls and in-person meetings.
  • Engage actively with the government during critical data collection periods to troubleshoot as necessary.

3. Critically assess MLE systems:

  • Coordinate and conduct reflection meetings and focus group discussions.
  • Support the piloting of new measurement ideas and conduct regular school visits to assess their effectiveness.
  • Regularly visit schools and government offices in different localities across the state to support government actors and examine measurement challenges.

4. Build government capacity:

  • Work with officials(EMIS and QA officials) on data use strategies on a regular basis.
  • Build the capacity of govt officials at different levels on data collection and review

5. Coordinate with the central team on research and learning efforts:

  • Support scoping, designing and testing research and learning ideas.
  • Support qualitative and quantitative research studies design and roll-out.
  • For research activities requiring support from external survey firms, coordinate with the external survey firms from training to project finalization.
  • Work in close collaboration with the research team and partner organizations to track overall progress on the project and ensure adherence to timelines and the project-plan.
  • Provide support on preparing research proposals, design, survey implementation and monitoring, data management, report writing and dissemination and policy outreach.
  • Join and contribute to learning team meetings and brainstorming on research projects.
  • Coordinate with the Senior MLE Associate on learning objectives and on future larger research projects, including impact evaluations such as RCTs.
  • Support high-quality data collection and analysis activities for research studies and learning activities.

Minimum requirements

  • A Bachelor’s degree in Economics,  M&E, Social Sciences, Development Studies,  or a related field required.
  • Posses  2-4 years relevant work experience.
  • Strong data analysis skills with proven experience working with data software, including data collection, analysis and visualization platforms (Required: Advanced Excel; Strongly preferred: STATA, Kobo Collect, Power BI, SurveyCTO).
  • Fluent in written and spoken English and Hausa.

Preferred:

  • Experience working in the development or education in Nigeria.
  • Familiarity with M&E frameworks and systems. Familiarity with RCTs is an added advantage.
  • Familiarity with national learning assessment data.
  • Familiarity with econometric and program evaluation techniques.
  • Strong preference for Nigeria national.

Method of Apply

Interested and Qualified applicant should visit: TaRL Africa BambooHR to apply Online 

The post Measurement, Monitoring & Review Associate-Kaduna at TaRL Africa appeared first on Advert By Dotifi .Com Domains for Advert By Dotifi .Com Domains for almajiri.com.ng Hausa Music Blog, Entertainment ,News and Gossips .

By 9jabook

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From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.