Every Student Gets a Digital ID: FG Launches Nationwide Learner Identification Number

 

 Over 1.9 million exam candidates are already enrolled as Nigeria rolls out a permanent academic identity system aimed at ending impersonation, tracking dropouts, and transforming how education data is managed.

The Federal Government has taken a significant step toward overhauling Nigeria's education infrastructure with the official launch of the Learner Identification Number (LIN) — a permanent digital identity assigned to every student across the country.

Announced on 9 April 2026 via a Ministry of Education press release, the initiative is billed as the first of its kind in Nigeria's history. It assigns each learner a unique, lifelong academic identity that follows them from primary school through tertiary education, enabling continuous tracking of academic progress regardless of school transfers or interruptions.

"The LIN is a transformational milestone aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, focused on human capital development and technology-driven reforms."

— Maruf Tunji Alausa, Honourable Minister of Education

In its first phase, the system has already been deployed for the 2026 examination cycle. Over 1.9 million candidates sitting for examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) have been assigned LINs, immediately strengthening the integrity of this year's exams.

The LIN is integrated with the Digitized National Education Management Information System (DNEMIS), a national register of schools that links learner identities to verified institutional records. According to the Ministry, this linkage will significantly enhance examination security, reduce impersonation at test centres, and provide real-time data on out-of-school children, dropouts, and learning gaps across the country.

Beyond examination integrity, the system is designed as a long-term planning tool — giving education planners accurate, up-to-date data to allocate resources, design interventions, and measure outcomes at both the school and national level.

The Ministry confirmed plans to expand the LIN system to all public and private schools nationwide and called on education stakeholders, state governments, and school administrators to support full implementation. It reaffirmed its commitment to building what it described as a "transparent, inclusive, and data-driven education system."

 

JAMB Axes 23 CBT Centres in Abia, Anambra, Others; Blacklists One Lagos Facility Permanently — Full List Inside

 

The examination body drops the hammer days before the 2026 UTME, signalling zero tolerance for substandard testing infrastructure.

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Just days before the commencement of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on April 16, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has delisted 23 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country. Blueprint Newspapers Limited

The Board's spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, announced in a statement that the action followed the conduct of the 2026 Mock UTME, during which the affected centres were found to have fallen short of required technical and operational standards. Voice of Nigeria

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Why Were the Centres Delisted?

JAMB described the Mock UTME as both a preparatory exercise for candidates and a critical quality assurance mechanism for its examination infrastructure. Blueprint Newspapers Limited In essence, the mock exam is not just for students — it is also a stress test for the centres themselves.

The Board stated: "In the aftermath of the 2026 Mock UTME, the Board's internal review mechanisms identified a number of centres that failed to meet these standards. Consequently, the Board has taken decisive steps, in line with its commitment to maintaining the integrity of its examination processes, to ensure that only centres that are fully prepared and compliant participate in the main UTME exercise." Punch

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One Centre Permanently Banned

Beyond the 23 delisted centres, JAMB went a step further with one facility. HA-SHEM Academy, located at 15 Owodunni Street, off Iwaya Road, Yaba, Lagos, will no longer be used for any of the board's examinations Punch — a permanent blacklisting that signals the Board's growing resolve to hold underperforming centres accountable.

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88 Other Centres Placed on Warning

The board also issued warnings to 88 centres with minor technical issues, Punch putting them on notice to upgrade their systems or face similar sanctions before the main exam kicks off.

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Full List of Delisted Centres by State

The affected centres are spread across Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, the FCT, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, and Plateau States. Daily Post Nigeria Here is the complete breakdown:

State	Centre
Abia	Micben Seat of Wisdom Academy, Umunteke Asa (Micben ICT Hall), Ukwa West
Anambra	Bishop Crowther Seminary CBT Centre, Awka
Anambra	The Oracle Lens, Ubili Town Hall, Nnokwa
Bayelsa	Derby's Young ICT Centre, Behind Govt. Science & Technical College, Okaka, Yenagoa
Delta	Avid ICT Solutions CBT Centre, Institute of Continuing Education, Asaba
Delta	Brightfield School CBT, 18 Onwugbonu Crescent, New Layout, Ekpan, Uvwie
Delta	Conarina Maritime Academy, Eseme River Road, Oria-Abraka, Ethiope East
Delta	Daniet Global Resources, 124 Akpakpava Road, Opp. Zenith Bank, Benin City, Edo
Edo	Moses and Grace College of Health Sciences CBT Centre, 3rd Richard Street, Obe Community, Benin City
FCT	De-Lite CBT Centre, Model Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja
FCT	ZulQud Consult Ltd (ZCL CBT Centre), Govt. Secondary School Lugbe, Lugbe Bridge
Lagos	Florin High School, 23/25 Olutimehin Street, Off Idimu Road, Ejigbo
Lagos	Folbob CBT Centre, 5 Road 10, Folbob Zone, Losooro, Lakowe, Ibeju-Lekki
Lagos	Great Kezino College CBT Centre, 118/120 Agunfoye Road, Adamo, Ikorodu
Lagos	Obans CBT Centre, Plot 32 Oba Ijaolu Road, Elepe, Off Ijede Road, Ikorodu
Lagos	Teesas Learning and CBT Centre, 2 Prince Samuel Adedoyin Street, Off Ikate, Lekki Expressway
Ogun	Braingate Model Schools CBT Centre, Arepo-Fadunsin, Ijoko
Ogun	Greenhills Academy, Cele Bus Stop, Oke-Ola, Itele Road
Osun	Oduduwa University CBT Centre, Ipetumodu, Ile-Ife
Oyo	Lasting Glory Schools CBT Centre, No. 1 Baale's Quarters, Kajola, Ejioku, Ibadan
Oyo	Nesam International School CBT Centre, No. 1 Alexander Road, Apata
Oyo	SAF Polytechnic, Along Iseyin-Oyo Road, Idi-Ori, Iseyin
Plateau	Rabjib Computer Academy, Behind Union Bank, Along Museum Road, Jos

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What This Means for Candidates

If your registered CBT centre appears on the list above, JAMB is expected to reassign you to a new centre ahead of the main examination. Candidates are advised to recheck their exam slips on the JAMB portal.

JAMB also warned candidates to be cautious of fraudulent individuals and groups, especially those operating on WhatsApp, who claim they can help inflate examination scores, describing such claims as false and criminal and stressing that any candidate found engaging in such activities will have their registration cancelled. Sahara Reporters

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Key Facts at a Glance

• Main 2026 UTME Date: April 16 – April 25, 2026
• Centres Delisted: 23
• Centres Warned: 88
• Centre Permanently Banned: HA-SHEM Academy, Yaba, Lagos
• Candidates Who Sat the Mock: 152,586 out of 224,597 registered, across 989 CBT centres nationwide Sahara Reporters

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JAMB Clarifies: Undergraduates Can Register for 2026 UTME/DE But..... (Read Press Statement)

 

JAMB Clarifies: Undergraduates Can Register for 2026 UTME/DE But Must Disclose Status

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reiterated that students already enrolled in tertiary institutions are not barred from registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) or Direct Entry (DE).

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In a statement issued by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, it was emphasized that such candidates are only required to make full disclosure of their existing matriculation status during registration.

According to JAMB, this disclosure is strictly for record-keeping, regulatory purposes, and to prevent multiple admissions. The Board explained that once a candidate gains admission through the latest UTME/DE registration, any previous admission automatically becomes invalid, as Nigerian law prohibits holding two admissions simultaneously.

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The statement warned that failure to disclose an existing matriculation status is an offence. While JAMB’s system can detect prior admissions, any candidate found to have deliberately concealed such information risks losing both admission opportunities.

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JAMB also cautioned the public against misleading interpretations of its policies by unaccredited education advocates, urging candidates and parents to rely only on official JAMB guidelines and publications for accurate information.

Signed:
Fabian Benjamin, Ph.D., JP
Public Communication Advisor (FCA), JAMB

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.

Access and Attempt Unlimited WASSCE NECO and JAMB Past Questions with Answers and Explanations - Visit https://www.assure.ng

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.

Access and Attempt Unlimited WASSCE NECO and JAMB Past Questions with Answers and Explanations - Visit https://www.assure.ng

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