Education News
FG: 24 Million Children Dropped Out Between Primary, Junior Secondary School
By Shehu Dogo, Senior Reporter
The Federal Government, Tuesday, directed the overhaul of Nigeria’s education structure as more than 20 million children who enrolled in primary schools dropped out before senior secondary school.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced this during the inauguration of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee in Abuja.
Nigeria operates a formal education framework generally referred to as the 6-3-3-4 system, which consists of 6 years of primary education, 3 years of junior secondary, 3 years of senior secondary, and a minimum of 4 years of tertiary education.
The system is broken down into three major tiers: Basic Education, Post-Basic/Senior Secondary, and Tertiary Education.
Dr. Alausa however, stated that the arrangement separating Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), from Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) had failed and contributed to the alarming number of out-of-school children.
He said findings by the government showed that while Nigeria has about 80,000 public primary schools, there are only about 15,000 junior secondary schools, creating a huge transition gap that has left millions of children stranded after completing primary education.
According to him, the policy requiring JSS and SSS to operate as separate institutions has worsened access to education by overcrowding junior secondary schools while leaving many senior secondary schools underutilised.
He said successive governments had failed to adequately address the problem but assured that the Tinubu administration was determined to reverse the trend by expanding access to basic education.
The minister cited evidence from Kaduna and several northern states showing that the disarticulation policy created unnecessary administrative structures at the expense of students.
“About 24million children enrol in our primary schools, but only about 4million of them complete senior secondary. We have over 20 million children dropping out between primary school and junior secondary school. Where are those students?
“The previous governments may have failed in this regard, but this government will not fail. We are fixing this. We need to create more opportunities for children to move seamlessly through the education system.
“We have overflowing junior secondary schools and empty senior secondary schools. I can objectively report today that this disarticulation policy has failed. We will phase it out. We cannot continue creating administrative positions while damaging our education system. It is about doing what is best for every Nigerian child,” he said.
Alausa disclosed that the proposal to abolish the policy would be presented at the next meeting of the National Council on Education for formal consideration.
He also inaugurated a high-powered committee chaired by renowned education expert, Prof. Rashid Aderinoye, to fast-track the completion, handover and operationalisation of hundreds of Smart Schools, Bilingual Schools and Alternative Schools funded by UBEC across the country.
The minister lamented that despite huge public investments, many of the schools remained abandoned, while several completed projects had yet to be handed over to state governments or opened for academic activities.
He described the situation as a waste of scarce public resources and a denial of learning opportunities to thousands of Nigerian children.
“The purpose of these schools is to educate children, not to remain locked up after completion,” he said, charging the committee to eliminate implementation bottlenecks and ensure the facilities begin serving their intended purpose.
Speaking earlier, UBEC Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, said the Federal Government had recorded significant progress in expanding access to quality basic education through the Smart Schools, Bilingual Schools and Alternative Schools programmes.
She disclosed that 37 Smart Schools had been established nationwide, with 24 already in operation, while the remaining schools were at various stages of completion, furnishing and readiness for academic activities.
Garba added that under the UBEC-Islamic Development Bank Bilingual Education Programme, 30 schools had been established across nine states, with three boarding schools already commissioned and four others substantially completed and awaiting inauguration.
She also noted that the Alternative Schools Programme was expanding access to education for vulnerable and out-of-school children through flexible and inclusive learning models.
According to her, the newly inaugurated implementation committee will oversee project execution, ensure the timely completion and handover of schools, resolve implementation challenges and guarantee that government investments translate into fully functional learning centres.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Prof. Rashid Aderinoye, pledged that members would carry out their assignment with diligence, transparency and accountability, assuring that they would work to remove obstacles delaying project delivery and help improve access to quality education across Nigeria.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Prof. Leonard Karshima Shilgba as Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture Science and Technology (UAST), Ihugh.
In a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, on Thursday, said Prof. Shilgba took over from Dr. Qrisstuberg Msughter Amua who has been relieved for administrative reasons.
Governor Alia who is the Visitor to the university, while congratulating the new Acting Vice Chancellor, stated that, “This is a position of great responsibility, and we trust you will lead with wisdom, integrity, and fairness.
“As you assume this office, I urge you to provide steady leadership, strengthen academic excellence, and promote unity among staff and students”.
Alia further advised Prof. Shilgba to ensure he prioritizes the welfare of members of the university and works diligently to uphold the values and reputation of the institution.
According to the statement, “The appointment takes immediate effect.
Shilgba is a Professor of mathematics, university administrator, scholar, author, educationist, and academic leader”
“He hails from Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State and has had a distinguished academic and administrative career spanning over three decades”
The statement further stated, “His academics also include advanced postdoctoral research experience. In 2009, he was awarded a Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) Fellowship, through which he undertook postdoctoral research in Japan. His experience in university leadership has also included participation in strategic planning and institutional development at a period of significant transformation in Nigerian higher education.
He also contributed to establishing UAST, Ihugh”
“In 2017, President Buhari appointed Professor Shilgba as the Chairman of the 9th Governing Board of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), where he served with vision, distinction, and uncompromising disposition” the statement added.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Prof. Leonard Karshima Shilgba as Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture Science and Technology (UAST), Ihugh.
In a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, on Thursday, said Prof. Shilgba took over from Dr. Qrisstuberg Msughter Amua who has been relieved for administrative reasons.
Governor Alia who is the Visitor to the university, while congratulating the new Acting Vice Chancellor, stated that, “This is a position of great responsibility, and we trust you will lead with wisdom, integrity, and fairness.
“As you assume this office, I urge you to provide steady leadership, strengthen academic excellence, and promote unity among staff and students”.
Alia further advised Prof. Shilgba to ensure he prioritizes the welfare of members of the university and works diligently to uphold the values and reputation of the institution.
According to the statement, “The appointment takes immediate effect.
Shilgba is a Professor of mathematics, university administrator, scholar, author, educationist, and academic leader”
“He hails from Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State and has had a distinguished academic and administrative career spanning over three decades”
The statement further stated, “His academics also include advanced postdoctoral research experience. In 2009, he was awarded a Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) Fellowship, through which he undertook postdoctoral research in Japan. His experience in university leadership has also included participation in strategic planning and institutional development at a period of significant transformation in Nigerian higher education.
He also contributed to establishing UAST, Ihugh”
“In 2017, President Buhari appointed Professor Shilgba as the Chairman of the 9th Governing Board of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), where he served with vision, distinction, and uncompromising disposition” the statement added.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM) branch, formerly known as Benue State University (BSU) has suspended its industrial action with immediate effect.
According to ASUU, the decision followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Benue State Government and the university management.
Recall that, MOAUN lecturers had embarked on indefinite strike on June 1, 2026, over welfare related issues.
In a statement issued by the MOAUM chapter Chairman of the ASUU, Dr. Ako Sule, on Wednesday, directed academic staff of the university to resume duties immediately.
“The decision to suspend the industrial action became necessary following the successful signing of a Memorandum of Understanding arising from a tripartite agreement involving the Union, the Benue State Government and the University Administration,” he said.
“The Union expects the government and the University Administration to faithfully implement the terms of the MoU and respect the principles and rules of collective bargaining. Sustained industrial harmony can only be achieved when agreements freely entered into are honoured promptly and in good faith,” Sule said.
Lagos: Court Convicts Fake Lawyer For Impersonation, Possession Of Forged NBA Seal
Adeleke Warns Tinubu: There Maybe Crisis If APC Rigs Me Out
APC 1 Million Votes Group Vows To Deliver Uba/Jerry In Southern Kaduna
2027: Ex-BIPC Board Member, Chila, Wins APC Ukum State Assembly Ticket
Benue Commissioner Monitors Distribution Of Subsidised Fertiliser
NUC Approves AI, 4 Other New Tech-Focused Courses For Veritas University
-
News3 months ago2027: Ex-BIPC Board Member, Chila, Wins APC Ukum State Assembly Ticket
-
News4 weeks agoBenue Commissioner Monitors Distribution Of Subsidised Fertiliser
-
Education News1 month agoNUC Approves AI, 4 Other New Tech-Focused Courses For Veritas University
-
Health News2 months agoMass Wedding: 3,000 Kano Couples To Undergo HIV Screening
-
Politics1 month agoD-Day: APC, NDC, Other Party Candidates Fear Substitution As INEC Opens Portal
-
Uncategorized1 month agoCourt Cancels NDC Registration As Obi, Kwankwaso Ambition Under Threat
-
Metro News2 months agoPolice Rescue Ex-Power Minister’s Sister, Twin Sons
-
Politics1 month agoAPC Governors To Meet Netanwe Over Rejiged Candidates’ Lists In Benue, Others