FG To End JSS-SSS Separation in Secondary Schools, Blames Policy For 20 Million Dropouts

 

The Federal Government has announced the discontinuation of the disarticulation policy that separated Junior Secondary Schools from Senior Secondary Schools, saying the arrangement has failed and contributed to a crisis of more than 20 million students dropping out before reaching senior secondary.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the inauguration of the UBEC Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee.

He said the policy, which required JSS and SSS to operate separately both physically and administratively, has resulted in overcrowded junior secondary facilities and underutilised senior secondary schools across several states.

According to him, the policy prioritised administrative positions over students’ educational needs and has left thousands of children without access to the next level of learning.

He noted that data from states such as Kaduna and other parts of the north show overflowing JSS classrooms while senior secondary schools remain largely empty because there is one principal for JSS and another for SSS.

“We have 20 million drop out from primary school to JSS. Where are those students? And what we also noticed was that we have 80,000 public primary schools, and junior secondary school, we have just about 15,000. That ratio is one to eight.

“And if you look at the completion rate. So, it’s us as government not doing what we need to do, but the previous government might have failed in this regard, but this government will not fail. We’re fixing this. So, we need to open up as much more opportunities for students to attend these schools, primary schools infrastructure.

“This disarticulation policy has also contributed to this. We’re seeing data from, say, like Kaduna and other northern states, because you have one principal for junior secondary school and another principal for senior secondary schools. We have overflowing JSS, empty senior secondary school.

“So, I can objectively report today that this disarticulation policy has failed. We will phase it out. We can’t be creating positions because we want to create director level for people while we harm our education system. It’s not right. It’s about doing what is good for every Nigerian child.”

Alausa said the proposal to abolish the policy will be tabled for consideration at the next meeting of the National Council on Education as part of efforts to expand access and improve learning outcomes for Nigerian children.

What's your view on this and what's the implications for our educational system?

FG crashes Prices of New and Tokunbo Cars

Federal Government Reduces Import Levy on New Vehicles to 10%

The Federal Government has announced a reduction in the import levy on brand-new vehicles from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, while the levy on used (Tokunbo) vehicles has been cut from 15 per cent to 5 per cent as part of its 2026 fiscal policy measures aimed at easing the cost of vehicle imports and supporting economic activity. 

The directive, issued through the Ministry of Finance and implemented by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), takes effect from July 1, 2026. Authorities say the measure is intended to lower the cost of imported vehicles, improve affordability for consumers, and stimulate the automotive sector.

However, the government is simultaneously introducing a Green Tax Surcharge on imported vehicles with larger engines. Vehicles with engine capacities between 2,000cc and 3,999cc will attract a 2 per cent surcharge, while those with engines of 4,000cc and above will pay 4 per cent. The surcharge is designed to encourage the use of cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles while reducing carbon emissions.

The new green tax will not apply to electric vehicles (EVs), mass transit buses, locally manufactured vehicles, and tractors, which have been exempted to encourage local production, public transportation, and environmentally friendly mobility.

Economic analysts note that although the reduction in import levies could lower vehicle prices over time, the actual impact on the market will also depend on factors such as exchange rates, shipping costs, port charges, and dealer pricing. As a result, consumers may not experience immediate price reductions despite the government's policy changes.

CBN Cracks Down on 46 Microfinance Banks, Revokes Operating Licences Nationwide (Full List)

 

ABUJA, Nigeria – July 1, 2026 – The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the operating licences of 46 Microfinance Banks (MFBs) across the country with immediate effect, citing persistent violations of regulatory requirements.

The apex bank said the action, which took effect on July 1, 2026, was carried out under Sections 12 and 13 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), 2020, following the approval of the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso.

According to the CBN, the affected banks failed to meet conditions necessary for continued operation as licensed financial institutions. The reasons for the licence revocations include:

Insufficient assets to meet liabilities;

Closure of operations without CBN approval;

Inactivity and cessation of financial intermediation;

Failure to commence operations within 12 months of licence approval; and

Failure to maintain the minimum capital requirements. 

The CBN stated that the move is part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the Nigerian financial system, protect depositors, and ensure compliance with banking regulations.

"The Central Bank of Nigeria remains committed to promoting a safe, sound and resilient financial system and will continue to take appropriate supervisory and regulatory actions where necessary to maintain public confidence in the Nigerian financial system," the statement read. 

Among the affected institutions are Gold MFB (Lagos), Creditville MFB (Lagos), Merchant MFB (Abia), Winview MFB (Abuja), Safegate MFB (Lagos), Supreme MFB (Lagos), OURPASS MFB (Ondo), and AVANTUS MFB (Osun), alongside several others spread across different states. 

The press statement was signed by Mrs. Hakama Sidi-Ali, Acting Director of the Corporate Communications Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria, on July 1, 2026.

Below is the complete list of the 46 Microfinance Banks whose operating licences were revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), effective July 1, 2026.

Full List of the 46 Microfinance Banks Whose Licences Were Revoked by the CBN

Minji-Se Churchill MFB – Rivers (Tier 1)

Merchant MFB – Abia (Tier 2)

Janmaa MFB – Kwara (Tier 1)

Busu MFB – Niger (Tier 2)

Gold MFB – Lagos (Tier 1)

Zain MFB (formerly Dawakin Tofa MFB) – Kano (Tier 2)

Bompai MFB – Kano (Tier 1)

Ajwa MFB (formerly Gezawa MFB) – Kano (Tier 2)

NOW NOW DIGITAL MFB – Kano (Tier 2)

Crystabel Microfinance Bank – Bayelsa (Tier 1)

Chanelle MFB – Lagos (State)

Abia SME MFB – Abia (Tier 1)

Kamba MFB – Kebbi (Tier 2)

Iwade MFB – Ogun (Tier 2)

Winview MFB – Abuja (Tier 1)

Zuru MFB – Kebbi (Tier 2)

Minjibir MFB – Kano (Tier 1)

Shanono MFB – Kano (Tier 2)

Sumaila MFB – Kano (Tier 2)

Rimin Gado MFB – Kano (Tier 2)

Mwaghavul MFB – Plateau (State)

Sycamore MFB – Kano (Tier 2)

TOFA MFB – Kano (Tier 2)

Safegate MFB – Lagos (Tier 1)

Creekline MFB – Delta (Tier 2)

Bestar MFB – Oyo (Tier 1)

Livingspring MFB – Cross River (Tier 1)

Apple MFB – Ogun (Tier 2)

Stanford MFB – Uyo (State)

Frontline MFB – Anambra (Tier 2)

Zafec MFB – Kaduna (Tier 2)

Supreme MFB – Lagos (Tier 1)

Bejin-Doko MFB – Niger (Tier 2)

Kanopoly MFB – Kano (Tier 1)

Bellbank MFB (formerly Tsanyawa MFB) – Kano (Tier 2)

Yeneng MFB – Plateau (Tier 2)

Creditville MFB – Lagos (Tier 1)

MBAG MFB – Lagos (Tier 1)

STRAIGHT SAHARA MFB – Benue (Tier 1)

OURPASS MFB – Ondo (Tier 2)

VERDANT MFB – Lagos (Tier 1)

BASAWA MFB – Kaduna (Tier 2)

CASHA MFB – Abuja (Tier 2)

ESTEEM MFB – Kano (Tier 2)

ENTERPRENEUR MFB – Lagos (Tier 1)

AVANTUS MFB – Osun (Tier 2).