The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has called for the scrapping of all Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and Senior Secondary Schools in the country and the introduction of a compulsory 12-year uninterrupted basic education.

The Minister proposed this while speaking at the 2025 National Council on Education (NCE) meeting, which was held in Abuja on Thursday, February 6. The meeting hosted the commissioners for education from the 36 states and the FCT, MDAs, and other development partners.

Alausa said phasing out the 6-3-3-4 model and introducing a 12-4 will reform education in Nigeria to align with ‘’global standards.”

Nigeria operates the 6–3–3–4 education system where a child enrols in school at age six and undergoes six years each of primary and secondary education, at the end of which they are expected to be aged 18.

Alausa said the government is seeking approval from the NCE to set 16 years as the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions. He said subsuming secondary schools under basic education would provide uninterrupted learning until students turn 16.

The minister said a 12-year basic education system will ‘’reduce dropout rates by removing financial and systemic barriers.” He added that the move would ‘’standardise the curriculum and offer early vocational training to prepare students for higher education and employment.”

He said that if the policy is adopted, it will ‘’enhance economic and social development by equipping young people with relevant skills and reducing child labour.”

‘’“Extending basic education to 12 years will ensure a standardised curriculum that is uniformly implemented across the nation. This will also facilitate early exposure to vocational and entrepreneurial skills, preparing students for both higher education and employment.

Many developed nations have implemented similar systems where basic education spans 12 years, ensuring that students acquire foundational knowledge before specialising at tertiary levels. This reform also aligns Nigeria’s education system with international standards, fostering better educational outcomes and global competitiveness,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu has announced leadership changes at several federal universities, including the University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University.

The changes take effective immediately, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman, said in a statement on Thursday.

“At Yakubu Gowon University, President Tinubu dissolved the entire governing council and relieved Prof Aisha Maikudi of her duties as Vice-Chancellor.

“Sen. Lanre Tejuoso, currently Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of the Yakubu Gowon University.

“He will be succeeded in Makurdi by Sen. Joy Emordi, now pro-chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education,” said the statement.

To succeed Maikudi, Tinubu appointed Prof. Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor at the Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month term.

She will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice Chancellor position when it becomes available.

The President has also removed Prof. Polycarp Chigbu from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, before his tenure ends on Feb. 14.

Prof. Oguejiofu Ujam has been appointed as his successor for six months and will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.

“The leadership changes at UNN extends to the role of Pro-Chancellor, with Gen. Ike Nwachukwu reassigned to Pro-Chancellor at the University of Uyo.

“President Tinubu appointed Engr Olubunmi Ojo as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN. Previously, Ojo held the same position at the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.

“Prof. Zubairu Abdullahi, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed to succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja,” said the statement.

Sen. Sani Stores is the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, succeeding Sen. Joy Emordi, while Stores is now a Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Additionally, Mr Olugbenga Kukoyi, a current Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has been appointed the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra.

“All appointments and reassignment decisions are effective immediately.

“President Tinubu emphasised that these changes reflect his administration’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s higher education system through dynamic leadership and accountability.

“The restructuring aims to strengthen governance and academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector,” concluded the statement.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Chioma Awuzie as the substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.

Mr Chijioke Ibezimako, Public Relations Officer of the institution confirmed the appointment to NAN in Awka on Thursday.

Awuzie is a globally recognized scholar with a rich portfolio of research and publications.

Ibezimako said the appointment of Awuzie as Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko took effect from February 5 for a five-year term.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Chioma Awuzie as the Polytechnic Rector.

“This follows the recommendation of the Institution’s Governing Council under the chairmanship of Sen. Dr Barnabas Gemade,” he said.

Awuzie holds a Doctorate Degree in Physical and Materials Chemistry and Chief Lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology.

Until her appointment, Awuzie was the Director in charge of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, Projects in the Polytechnic.

She has held several leadership positions in the institution, including Head of the Department of Renewable Energy Research and Development, Director of the Petroleum, Coal, and Renewable Energy Research Unit, and Director of International Higher Education Academic Organisations.

Awuzie had served as Coordinator, Technical, Vocational Education, and Training, TVET.

She was part of the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, which drafted the Renewable Energy Technology curriculum for Nigerian Polytechnics, currently in use.