Education
Government Seeks Reversal Of Mother Tongue As Medium Of Learning In Primary Schools
Government Seeks Reversal Of Mother Tongue As Medium Of Learning In Primary Schools
Government seeks reversal of mother tongue as medium of learning in primary schools. The policy aimed to preserve Nigerian languages and enhance foundational learning.
The federal government has urged the National Council on Education and stakeholders to approve the reversal of the use of mother tongue as the medium of instruction from primary one to six.
The Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, made the appeal at the 2025 Extraordinary National Council on Education Meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
Mr Ahmad also called on the council to approve the review of the national policy on education to restrict the use of mother tongue to Early Childhood Care Development and Education and primary one.
The NCE had previously advocated the use of the mother tongue of the immediate environment as the medium of instruction in the first three years of primary education.
The policy aimed to preserve Nigerian languages and enhance foundational learning.
However, the Federal Executive Council approved its implementation on November 30, 2022.
The minister of state highlighted several challenges hindering the implementation of the policy.
“Inconsistencies in policy execution, especially in urban areas and some parts of the country, impede implementation. We use English from the start, contradicting the policy.
With over 500 languages in Nigeria, implementation becomes complex, making it difficult to select a dominant language in multilingual communities. Limited availability of instructional materials and textbooks, among other factors, hinders implementation,” she said.
She added that the ministry and NCE must initiate a policy review to implement the necessary changes.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, also advocated integrating secondary education into basic education, extending it to 12 years.
Mr Alausa said this initiative aligned with global best practices and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
“Subsuming secondary education into basic education is necessary to improve access, retention, and completion. By making secondary education a part of basic education, students will benefit from uninterrupted learning up to the age of 16.
This reform will also reduce dropout rates by eliminating financial and systemic barriers that currently prevent students from completing secondary education,” he said.
Mr Alausa further explained the importance of converting the Federal Science and Technical Colleges (FSTCs) into Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs).
According to him, technical education facilitates the acquisition of practical and applied skills, enabling young people to develop an intelligent understanding of the increasing complexity of technology.
He said, “This transformation is not just a policy shift; it is a crucial step towards realigning our education system with the demands of an evolving economy and a technologically driven world. Another major issue facing the nation is youth unemployment.
Nigeria’s youthful demographic has over 60 per cent of the population under 30. In tackling this pressing issue, my administration introduced the TVET initiative, which aims to restructure and enhance technical and vocational education in Nigeria. This will align educational outcomes with industry demands.’’
Primary Schools
Speaking on the incorporation of the 16-year minimum admission age policy for tertiary institutions into the NCE framework, the minister said this was necessary to standardise entry requirements for tertiary education.
The meeting brought together commissioners for education from the 36 states and the FCT, heads of agencies, international organisations, and the deputy governor of Kano State.
NPF Dismisses Security Rumours Ahead Of 2026 JAMB Exams
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is aware of recent unfounded rumors circulating regarding the safety of certain centers in a North Central State for the forthcoming Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination scheduled to commence on 16th April 2026. The NPF wishes to categorically state that these claims are without basis. While the NPF does not act on rumors, the concerns raised by members of the public have been duly noted as it concerns the safety, education and future of our children and wards, and the Force has taken the following proactive steps to ensure the safety of all candidates.
To this end, extra security has been deployed at examination centres nationwide, both overtly and covertly, to prevent any untoward incidents. This includes routine patrols, perimeter checks, and rapid response teams stationed at strategic locations. The Nigeria Police Force is collaborating closely with sister security agencies, to monitor and address potential threats effectively. Any individual or group attempting to disrupt the examination process will be swiftly identified and brought to justice.
Police
The Nigeria Police Force reassures candidates, parents, and the general public that every measure has been taken to guarantee a safe and conducive environment for all examinations. Candidates are encouraged to arrive early at their centres, adhere to examination regulations, and report any suspicious activities or persons to on-site security personnel. Members of the public are advised to disregard unverified information circulating on social media and to rely solely on official updates from JAMB and the NPF.
The Force remains committed to maintaining peace, security, and public confidence in all National activities, including the JAMB examinations. The Nigeria Police Force appreciates the cooperation of all citizens and stakeholders in ensuring a smooth and secure examination process, especially sister security agencies
DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID psc(+), mni,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUATERS
ABUJA
14TH APRIL, 2026
Police Partner NYSC For Corps Members Security
Police partner NYSC. The National Youth Service CPolice partner NYSCorps and the Nigeria Police Force have renewed their commitment to strenghten their cooperation aimed at improving the security of corps members across Nigeria.
According to a post from NYSC’s X handle on Tuesday, the pledge was made during a courtesy visit by the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
During the visit, Nafiu congratulated the Inspector-General on his appointment and commended the police for ongoing reforms within the force.
He stressed the importance of sustained collaboration to ensure the safety of corps members, particularly in orientation camps and host communities.
“The police have been instrumental to the success of NYSC activities and programmes since its inception,” Nafiu said.
He called for improved security around corps members and NYSC facilities nationwide.
“We appeal for maximum security for Corps Members and NYSC officials within and outside the Orientation Camps,” he added.
Nafiu also raised concerns about security as the country approaches the 2027 general elections, urging proactive protection for corps members and their property.
“We equally solicit for protection of corps members and their properties, including Corps Lodges, strengtfor as the nation approaches the 2027 general elections,” he said.
He explained that the NYSC Act exempts members of the armed forces and paramilitary agencies from national service and called for further engagement on the issue.
“I would like to interface with the Management of the Police Academy to enable the NYSC issue certificates of exemption to graduates of the institution as is statutory,” he said.
In his response, the IG assured the NYSC of continued cooperation and commitment to protecting corps members nationwide.
He said the police already maintain records of corps lodges across the country to enable swift response when necessary.
“The police would continue to secure the scheme,” the IG said.
Police Partner NYSC For Corps Members Security
He also described the request on exemption certificates as welcome and pledged stronger collaboration between both institutions.
“The issue of exemption certificates for graduates of the Nigeria Police Academy is a welcome development,” he said.
The inspector-general further assured all that the police would continue to work closely with the NYSC to enhance security and protect corps members throughout their service year.
JAMB Delists 23 CBT Centres: UTME
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has delisted 23 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide over technical deficiencies observed during the 2026 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
JAMB disclosed this in a statement signed by its public communication adviser, Fabian Benjamin, on Friday in Abuja.
Mr Benjamin, who issued warnings to several centres with minor operational challenges, said one centre in Lagos State had been barred permanently from participating in any of its examinations.
According to him, the mock UTME serves as an essential preparatory exercise designed to familiarise candidates with the CBT environment and enable JAMB to assess the operational readiness of accredited examination centres.
He explained that findings from its post-examination technical review revealed that some centres failed to meet the required standards.
“The exercise provides the board with the opportunity to evaluate facilities, identify technical shortcomings and ensure only centres that comply with operational benchmarks participate in the main UTME.”
Mr Benjamin added that the affected centres were sanctioned in line with the board’s commitment to safeguarding the credibility, integrity and smooth conduct of its examinations nationwide.
He urged candidates scheduled for the main UTME to remain calm, noting that necessary adjustments would be made to ensure no candidate was disadvantaged.
He added that some centres placed on warning were expected to address identified deficiencies immediately or risk further sanctions.
JAMB
He also reiterated the board’s zero-tolerance stance on technical failures capable of disrupting examinations and assured candidates of improved monitoring mechanisms ahead of the main UTME.
He advised candidates to continue printing their examination notification slips to confirm their examination dates, venues and time.
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