Higher-ranked candidates must not be bypassed, JAMB warns tertiary institutions

 

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has directed tertiary institutions found to have engaged in flawed admission practices to reverse such admissions immediately.

The board warned that any attempt to bypass higher-ranked candidates in favour of those with lower scores will not be tolerated.

In its weekly bulletin released on Monday in Abuja, Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, said the board had uncovered cases where candidates with stronger rankings were reportedly overlooked during the admission process.

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“The attention of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has been drawn to the conduct of admissions by some tertiary institutions, where higher-ranked candidates are reportedly being bypassed in favour of lower-ranked candidates,” the bulletin stated.

JAMB said decisive action had been taken against the affected institutions and reiterated that admissions must strictly follow the established three-tier framework: Merit, Catchment Area, and Educationally Less Developed States, with ranking as the determining factor at every stage.

“Each tier is guided strictly by ranking (merit), such that candidates with higher rankings must be selected first, followed by others in descending order. Any situation in which a better-ranked candidate is skipped for a lower-ranked candidate under any of these categories will not be tolerated,” the board stated.

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The board also addressed a separate complaint by a candidate who claimed she was unfairly denied admission to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

JAMB clarified that her non-admission was in line with due process, as several applicants with higher rankings were ahead of her, and she was not affected by the irregularities identified in other institutions.

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Reaffirming its commitment to fairness, JAMB urged all candidates to rely on official channels for verification of admission claims and avoid spreading unverified information on social media.

“The Board advises candidates to refrain from allowing themselves to be used by individuals seeking attention or followership through baseless allegations. Candidates should verify claims of admission irregularities through appropriate and official channels before lending credence to or promoting such allegations,” the bulletin added.

Council of Legal Education Approves 5 New Law Schools; Increase Quotas for Unilorin, Imposes Sanctions

 

Abuja, Nigeria – January 10, 2026 – In a decisive move to shape the future of Nigeria's legal profession, the Council of Legal Education (CLE) has simultaneously approved the creation of new law faculties, increased student intake at established institutions, and imposed sanctions on universities operating without authorization.

The decisions, reached at the Council's first quarterly meeting of 2026, signal a dual strategy of expanding access while rigorously enforcing regulatory standards.

New Gateways for Aspiring Lawyers

Following successful accreditation exercises, the CLE granted approval for five universities to commence law programmes, each with an initial annual admission quota of 50 students. The newly accredited institutions are:

• Azman University, Kano State

• Rayhaan University, Kebbi State

• Confluence University of Science and Technology, Kogi State

• Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Imo State

• Ave-Maria University, Nasarawa State

In addition to these new faculties, the Council significantly increased the law student admission quotas for four existing universities. Bayero University, Kano, received the largest allocation, now permitted to admit 230 students. The University of Ilorin's quota was raised to 210, while Madonna University, Okija, and Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, were each granted quotas of 100 students.

Crackdown on Unauthorised Programmes

Emphasizing a "no-tolerance" stance towards breaches of due process, the CLE placed three universities under a two-year moratorium, prohibiting them from admitting new law students. Paul University, Awka; Clifford University, Owerrinta; and the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, were sanctioned for commencing law programmes without prior CLE approval.

"The Council remains committed to expanding quality legal education across Nigeria," said Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, Chairman of the CLE. "However, this expansion must be orderly and adhere strictly to the standards that safeguard the integrity of the legal profession. The sanctions are a necessary measure to uphold these principles."

Leadership Transition at the Helm

The meeting also marked a transition in leadership at the Nigerian Law School. A valedictory session was held for the outgoing Director-General, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, whose eight-year tenure ended on January 9. In a parting philanthropic gesture, Prof. Chiroma announced a ₦5 million endowment to fund an annual prize for the Best Student in Corporate Law in Bar examinations.

The Council formally welcomed Dr. Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote, who was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the new Director-General, effective January 10. Council members expressed confidence in her ability to steer the institution forward.

Other Key Decisions

The Council meeting also addressed several administrative and disciplinary matters:

• Approved the promotion of 177 staff members across the Nigerian Law School system.

• Upheld sanctions against students found guilty of misconduct during the July 2025 Bar Final Resit Examination.

• Confirmed disciplinary measures against staff members implicated in procedural breaches.

Analysts view the CLE's latest resolutions as a balanced approach to addressing the growing demand for legal education while tightening oversight to ensure national standards are uniformly maintained.

About the Council of Legal Education (CLE):
The CLE is the statutory body responsible for the regulation and supervision of legal education in Nigeria. It sets standards for law faculties and oversees the Nigerian Law School, which all aspiring barristers must attend before being called to the Bar.

FG Launches New Textbook Policy to Cut Costs, Promote Sustainability in Schools

 

Government Mandates Reusable Textbooks, Streamlines Academic Calendar and Graduation Ceremonies as Part of Education Reforms

In a major move to ease the financial burden on families and enhance learning standards, the Federal Government has announced a new policy mandating the use of durable, reusable textbooks in all schools across Nigeria. The policy was jointly unveiled on Friday, January 9, 2026, by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id.

The initiative is designed to significantly reduce the recurring costs parents face each school year while promoting environmental sustainability. Under the new framework, all approved textbooks must be of high quality and built to last between four to six years. A key provision bans the practice of bundling disposable workbooks with textbooks, ensuring that core learning materials can be reused by multiple students over several academic sessions.

"This policy will allow textbooks to be shared among siblings and across school years, cutting down expenses for parents and reducing educational waste," said Dr. Alausa. "It is part of our broader reforms to reposition Nigeria’s education system for equity, quality, and sustainability."

The government has also introduced a uniform academic calendar to standardise the school year nationwide, bringing consistency to teaching, learning, and administrative planning.

Additionally, graduation ceremonies have been streamlined. Henceforth, only pupils completing Primary 6, JSS3, and SSS3 will be permitted to hold formal graduation events—a measure aimed at curbing extravagant spending and keeping the focus on learning milestones.

To tackle concerns over frequent but superficial textbook revisions, the policy enforces structured revision cycles that require meaningful content upgrades before new editions are approved. It also limits the number of textbooks per subject and grade level, aligning with international best practices.

The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will oversee the strengthened quality assurance process, ensuring that instructional materials meet rigorous standards before adoption.

The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring all Nigerian children have access to quality, affordable learning materials as part of the nation’s education transformation agenda.

Signed:
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations
Federal Ministry of Education
January 9, 2026

Ikeja Electric Commences Application for FREE Prepaid Meter (All You Need To Know)

GET YOUR FREE PREPAID METER NOW – ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE METER ACQUISITION FUND (MAF) SCHEME

1. What is the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) Scheme?
The Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) is a Federal Government initiative designed to provide free prepaid meters to eligible customers, specifically targeting Band A feeders. This scheme aims to replace obsolete meters and address metering gaps in the electricity sector, ensuring accurate billing for customers.

2. Am I eligible for the MAF scheme?
All unmetered customers and Unistar card meter users under Band A and Band B are eligible. To confirm your eligibility, visit https://www.ikejaelectric.com/MAF/ and check through the eligibility checker, or contact our customer service for assistance.

3. How do I apply for a free meter?
To apply for a free prepaid meter:

• Check Eligibility: Visit https://www.ikejaelectric.com/MAF/ to confirm your eligibility.

• Update Your KYC: Update your Know Your Customer (KYC) information at https://smankyc.ikejaelectric.com.

• Be Meter Ready: Ensure your load wires are available, well separated, and accessible to allow smooth and swift installation.

• Schedule Installation: Once your eligibility is confirmed, our team will contact you to schedule your free meter installation.

4. What is KYC, and why is it important?
KYC (Know Your Customer) is the process of updating your personal details to ensure accurate information is on record. Updating your KYC is a crucial step to ensure smooth meter allocation, installation, and service delivery. The process is quick and can be done online at https://smattkyc.ikejaelectric.com.

5. Will I be charged for the new meter?
NO. The new prepaid meters will be provided to eligible customers free of charge under the MAF scheme. The goal is to ensure accurate billing and eliminate estimated billing for customers.

6. How long will it take to install my new meter?
The installation process will be quick and typically completed within an hour. There will be minimal disruption to your energy supply during the switch-over.

7. Will the new meter require more maintenance than my old meter?
No. The new meters are more reliable and require less maintenance compared to older models. They are advanced smart meters with fewer components that could fail, making them more durable and efficient.

8. What if I experience problems with my new meter?
If you encounter any issues with your new meter, we offer remote troubleshooting and dedicated customer support. Our team can assist you quickly to resolve any problems. You can contact our support team through the MAF helpdesk or via our customer service lines.

9. How will I recharge my new meter?
Recharging your new meter will be much easier compared to the old SMARTCARD. You can recharge your meter through various channels like bank apps, online payment platforms, or at any POS terminal, providing you with more flexibility and fewer recharge failures.

10. Who do I contact if I have problems with my new prepaid meter?
You can reach our customer service team through the following channels:

• Helpline: 02017000250, 02012272940

• Email: customercare@ikejaelectric.com

Lagos Schools Set for Second Term, Resumption Fixed for January 12

 

Lagos Schools Set for Second Term, Resumption Fixed for January 12

State Government directs compliance with health protocols, plans monitoring across public and private institutions

The Lagos State Government has announced that all public and private primary and secondary schools, including technical colleges, will resume for the second term of the 2025/2026 academic session on Monday, January 12, 2026.

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This follows the approved state academic calendar, with schools expected to begin immediate preparations for reopening.

In a statement, the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, urged all educational institutions to strictly observe public health and safety guidelines for school reopening.

The Commissioner also noted that government officials have been deployed to monitor schools across the state to ensure full compliance with safety standards.

The Ministry expressed gratitude to teachers, parents, and guardians for their sustained cooperation and called on them to ensure pupils and students are fully ready for the new term.

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Read Full Press Statement

YEAR 2025/2026 ACADEMIC SESSION: LASG ANNOUNCES JANUARY 12TH RESUMPTION DATE FOR LAGOS SCHOOLS.

The Lagos State Government announces to the general public that all Public and Private Schools, as well as Government Technical Colleges in the State are to resume the Second Term, 2025/2026 Academic Session, on Monday, 12th January 2026.

This is in accordance with the approved Lagos State School's Calendar and all schools are expected to commence activities immediately towards resumption.

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In his statement, the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun enjoined all educational institutions in the State to adhere to the necessary public health guidelines and protocols for reopening of schools. 

The Commissioner clarified that Government officials have been assigned to conduct inspections in schools across the State to ensure strict compliance with safety protocols and standards.

The Ministry wishes to extend it's appreciation to teachers, parents and guardians for their continued support and urges them to ensure that wards are adequately prepared for the new term.

Federal Government Clarifies Status of Morocco Scholarships; Ends New Overseas Awards (Press Statement)

By Our Correspondent | Abuja | January 7, 2026

The Federal Government has issued a strong rebuttal against what it terms “false and misleading” reports concerning Nigerian scholarship students in Morocco, asserting that no officially sponsored student has been abandoned.

In a press release signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Ms. Boriowo Folasade, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, provided clarifications on the contentious issue, outlining a significant policy shift in federal scholarship awards.

No Abandonment, Payments Addressed

Dr. Alausa firmly stated that all Nigerian students duly enrolled under the Bilateral Education Scholarship (BES) Programme before 2024 have received their stipends and entitlements up to the 2024 budget year. He acknowledged that any pending payments are due to “fiscal constraints,” but assured that the matter is being actively resolved through engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance.

“No Nigerian student on a valid Federal Government scholarship has been abandoned,” the Minister declared.

Policy Shift: End of New Federally-Funded Overseas Awards

In a major policy disclosure, the Minister revealed that the government has discontinued awarding new bilateral scholarships for studies abroad that are funded by Nigeria. He described documents suggesting new awards were made in October 2025 as “fake, unauthenticated, and a calculated attempt to mislead the public.”

Dr. Alausa explained that a comprehensive review found Nigeria now possesses sufficient capacity within its local universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to deliver the programmes previously sought overseas. Sponsoring students abroad for such courses, he stated, placed an “avoidable financial burden on the nation.”

Consequently, the government will now only support scholarships that are fully funded by foreign governments, with all financial obligations borne by the host countries.

Commitment to Existing Students and Return Option

Despite the policy change, the government pledged its “full commitment” to students already enrolled under the old system, promising support until they complete their programmes.

Furthermore, students who wish to discontinue their studies abroad have been offered an alternative. They can formally apply to the Department of Scholarship Awards to return to Nigeria, where they will be reintegrated into appropriate tertiary institutions of their choice. The Federal Government has committed to covering their return travel costs to facilitate a smooth transition.

Focus on Reform and Transparency

The Minister framed the move as part of the current administration’s resolve to eliminate inefficiency and abuse within the scholarship system. The reforms, he said, are aimed at promoting “transparency, accountability, and the prudent management of public resources.”

The statement concluded by reiterating the government’s “unwavering commitment to the welfare of Nigerian students” and its rejection of “misinformation, blackmail, or any attempt to undermine policies designed to strengthen national capacity and safeguard the integrity of the education sector.”

Read Full Press Statement

PRESS RELEASE
NO ABANDONMENT, NO NEW AWARDS: FG SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON MOROCCO SCHOLARSHIPS

7th January, 2026

The Federal Government has firmly debunked misleading narratives circulating in some quarters regarding Nigerian scholarship students in the Kingdom of Morocco, describing such claims as false, unfounded, and deliberately crafted to misinform the public.

The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa CON, has clarified that no Nigerian student on a valid Federal Government scholarship has been abandoned. All beneficiaries duly enrolled under the Bilateral Education Scholarship (BES) Programme prior to 2024 have received payments up to the 2024 budget year, in line with the Federal Government's obligations. Any temporary delays in outstanding payments are attributable to fiscal constraints and are currently being addressed through ongoing engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance.

The Honourable Minister further stated that no new bilateral scholarship awards were made in October 2025 or at any time thereafter. Documents being circulated to suggest otherwise are fake, unauthenticated, and constitute a calculated attempt to mislead the public and discredit government policy.

Dr. Alausa explained that the decision to discontinue government-funded bilateral scholarships abroad followed a comprehensive policy review, which established that Nigeria now possesses sufficient capacity within its universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to deliver the affected programmes locally.

Consequently, only scholarships that are fully funded by foreign governments are now being supported, with all financial obligations borne entirely by the host countries.

Notwithstanding this policy shift, the Federal Government remains fully committed to students already enrolled under the previous arrangements and will continue to support them until the completion of their programmes.

In addition, students who may prefer to discontinue their studies abroad may formally write to the Director, Department of Scholarship Awards. Such students are being offered the option of returning to Nigeria, where they will be seamlessly reintegrated into appropriate tertiary institutions of their choice. The Federal Government will also cover their return travel costs to ensure a smooth and orderly transition.

According to the Honourable Minister, the current administration remains resolute in eliminating inefficiencies and abuses within the scholarship system. Past practices that sponsored overseas training for courses already well established in Nigeria placed avoidable financial burdens on the nation. The ongoing reforms are therefore aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and the prudent management of public resources.

The Federal Government reiterates its unwavering commitment to the welfare of Nigerian students and strongly rejects misinformation, blackmail, or any attempt to undermine policies designed to strengthen national capacity and safeguard the integrity of the education sector.

Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations