By Rukevwe Odeh

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this known in Abuja during the inauguration of the UBEC Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee. He explained that the current arrangement, which treats JSS and SSS as separate administrative structures, has not achieved its intended purpose and has instead contributed to poor student progression and high dropout rates.

According to him, millions of pupils who complete primary school struggle to transition smoothly into higher levels of secondary education. He also pointed out that the imbalance in school distribution—where there are significantly more primary schools than junior secondary schools—has worsened the situation, creating bottlenecks in student advancement.

The minister noted that the separation policy has led to overcrowding in some junior secondary schools while many senior secondary schools remain underutilised. He described the system as inefficient and not in the best interest of learners.

As part of the proposed reform, the government intends to present its recommendation to the National Council on Education for approval. A committee has also been set up to speed up the implementation of related education initiatives, including Smart Schools, Bilingual Schools, and Alternative Schools across the country.

He added that the government is committed to ensuring that abandoned or uncompleted public schools are completed, properly equipped, and put into use so that they serve students effectively.

Education authorities believe that removing the separation between JSS and SSS will help create a smoother academic transition, reduce dropout rates, and improve overall access to secondary education in Nigeria.

By Tama Peretengboro

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reaffirmed that candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions must be at least 16 years old, stressing that the policy is backed by existing laws and admission guidelines.

The Board explained that the age requirement is intended to ensure that students possess the maturity needed to cope with the academic and social demands of higher education. According to JAMB, the policy was not introduced arbitrarily but is based on established legal provisions governing admissions.

JAMB also noted that the 16-year age limit is enforced through its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), making it impossible for institutions to process admissions for underage candidates through the official platform.

While maintaining its stance on the minimum age, the Board acknowledged that exceptional cases involving academically gifted students may be considered, provided they meet the prescribed conditions and undergo the required verification process.

The examination body further warned institutions against admitting candidates outside the approved admission framework, emphasizing that any admission conducted outside CAPS would not be recognized and could attract sanctions.

JAMB reiterated its commitment to ensuring fairness, transparency, and strict compliance with admission regulations, urging all stakeholders to adhere to the established guidelines for the benefit of Nigeria’s education system.