Category: Education

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has revealed plans to hire more than 22,000 supervisors for the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal, which is set to begin on June 15, 2026. This move aims to ensure a smooth and efficient conduct of the exams.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Sani Azeez, the acting Director of Information and Public Relations, alerted the public about a fraudulent recruitment website circulating on social media. This fake portal requests applicants to submit their academic credentials and make payments, which is not part of NECO’s official process.

Azeez emphasized that “the supervisor recruitment process on the NECO website is fully automated, and no third party is required.” Therefore, all qualified teachers who are pensionable, on Grade Level 12 and above, and at least 30 years old, and are interested in serving as supervisors for the 2026 SSCE Internal, are encouraged to apply via the official NECO website.

According to the statement, the new electronic recruitment system is designed to prevent fraud, reduce examination malpractice, and improve transparency and credibility in the selection process. Azeez reiterated that “NECO does not request any payment from teachers applying to serve as examination supervisors.”

This transition from an analogue to a fully electronic recruitment method aligns with the recommendations of the Ministerial Committee on the Improvement of the Quality of Examinations in Nigeria, aimed at strengthening the examination supervision mechanism.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that candidates eligible for the 2026 Mop-Up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) can now print their examination notification slips. The exercise is scheduled to take place on June 13, 2026.

According to a statement from the Board’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, the notification slip includes crucial information such as the candidate’s exam centre, date, time, and other relevant instructions for the test.

JAMB clarified that the mop-up examination is specifically for candidates who were unable to sit for the main UTME due to technical glitches or those whose biometric verification was not successfully completed earlier.

To print the slip, eligible candidates are advised to visit the official JAMB website and click on the “Print 2026 Mop-Up UTME Slip” link. The Board strongly recommends that candidates print their slips early and familiarize themselves with their designated exam centres to avoid any last-minute issues.

In a firm statement, the Board emphasized, “This Mop-Up Examination marks the final opportunity for eligible candidates to take the 2026 UTME. No further examination will be conducted after this exercise.”

JAMB urged all eligible candidates to seize this opportunity and prepare adequately for the examination scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2026.

The Board’s announcement aims to ensure that no candidate misses out due to avoidable circumstances, reinforcing its commitment to a seamless examination process.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Nigeria has shed light on the factors that led to examinations continuing late into the night. According to Moyosola Adesina, the council’s Head of Public Affairs, the disruptions stemmed from a series of unfortunate events, including protests over abducted schoolchildren and the tragic loss of three WAEC staff members in a road accident in Gombe. These incidents, combined with logistical and operational hurdles, caused significant delays in the delivery of examination materials.

As a result, candidates in several centers across Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, and Osun states were forced to sit for their papers after dark. In some instances, students had to rely on torchlights, mobile phone flashlights, and solar-powered lamps to complete their exams. The chaos began last week Monday when candidates waited for hours before the scheduled Physics Essay and Objective papers, originally set for 2pm and 3:30pm respectively, could commence.

DAILY POST reports that the delays drew widespread criticism from the public, prompting WAEC to issue this explanation. The council emphasized that the safety and security of candidates and staff remain a priority, and they are working to prevent such occurrences in the future.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced that the mop-up examination for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will take place on Saturday, June 13, 2026. This session is specifically for candidates who completed biometric verification for the main UTME but were unable to take the test due to various reasons.

In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed the date and outlined the categories of candidates eligible for the exercise. These include individuals whose results were previously withdrawn due to examination infractions, those who faced technical glitches at their test centers, and candidates who could not be biometrically verified despite being present.

The main 2026 UTME was conducted from April 23 to April 29, 2026. Reports indicated that some centers experienced technical difficulties, preventing a number of students from completing their exams. JAMB emphasized that the mop-up test represents the final phase of the annual UTME process and serves as a last chance to resolve all outstanding issues for affected candidates.

Affected candidates are advised to print their Examination Notification Slips starting Saturday, June 6, 2026. The board urged them to familiarize themselves with their assigned centers and make all necessary preparations, stressing that no further opportunities will be given after this mop-up exercise to sit for the 2026 UTME.

The Kaduna State branch of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has voiced its disapproval of the Federal Ministry of Education’s policy that waives the requirement for candidates applying to the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) program to take the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination. This stance aligns with the union’s national executive council’s earlier position, which labeled the decision as detrimental to national progress.

In a joint statement released by Ibrahim Dalhatu (chairman) and Adamu Ayuba Kaltungo (secretary), the union argued that exempting prospective NCE students from the JAMB test would harm the quality of teacher education and, in turn, lower the overall standard of education in Nigeria. The statement emphasized that teaching is a highly intellectual and strategic profession, necessitating rigorous and competitive teacher training processes.

According to the union, such an exemption would reinforce the notion that teaching is meant for academically inferior individuals or anyone interested, further eroding the already low esteem of the profession. This approach, they noted, contradicts international best practices where top-performing education systems recruit teachers from the most talented students.

The union also warned that the policy would undermine ongoing reforms by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) aimed at elevating teaching to a respected profession. Instead of removing JAMB requirements, the Federal Government should focus on improving teacher welfare and salaries to attract high-caliber candidates. They recommended scholarships, bursaries, and other incentives for education students, as well as special admission benefits that do not compromise standards.

Finally, the NUT called for the full implementation of a law signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in April 2022, which they believe can address the issues the government hopes to solve by exempting College of Education candidates from JAMB.

The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning, indicating that a strike is imminent if the government continues to violate the collective bargaining and binding agreements both parties signed. During a press conference held in Benin City on Thursday, May 21, 2026, the union expressed its frustration over the government’s persistent disregard for the 2025 pact.

The zone encompasses multiple institutions, including the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ambrose Alli University (AAU) in Ekpoma, Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) in Akungba, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUS) in Okitipupa, Delta State University (DELSU) in Abraka, Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) in Effurun, University of Delta (UNIDEL) in Agbor, Dennis Osadebay University (DOU) in Asaba, and Southern Delta University (SDU) in Ozoro.

Professor Monday Lewis Igbafen, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, highlighted that the Federal Government and ASUU finalized an agreement in 2025, which was officially presented on January 14, 2026. He noted that this unveiling was expected to mark the conclusion of prolonged efforts to renegotiate the 2009 Agreement and establish lasting peace in Nigeria’s public universities.

Igbafen alleged that administrators of federal universities are only partially and selectively paying the Consolidated Academic Allowances (EAA) and professorial allowances. This action contradicts the agreement, which stipulates that all allowances should be incorporated into the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary as part of monthly salaries for professors.

The ASUU leader also criticized state governors for failing to adhere to the agreement, claiming that nearly five months after the Federal Government ordered full implementation, many state governors—who serve as visitors to state universities—have not acted. Specifically, he accused the governors of Edo, Delta, and Ondo States of reneging on their commitments.

“We condemn the partial and non-implementation of the salary component of the 2025 FGN/ASUU agreement. This is a recipe for an industrial crisis in our universities,” Igbafen stated. “We berate the Edo, Ondo, and Delta State governments for failing to implement the agreement five months after the Federal Government’s directive. We urge them to comply immediately or face industrial action on their campuses.”

He further accused the government of insensitivity toward outstanding issues, including unpaid arrears of the 25-35% salary award, promotion arrears, unremitted third-party deductions, salary shortfalls caused by IPPIS errors, and the withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries from the 2022 strike.

While commending the management of FUPRE for fully implementing the agreement, Igbafen expressed disappointment over UNIBEN’s failure to do the same. The zone also voiced strong opposition to plans to discontinue certain academic programs in Nigerian universities, describing the move as risky and detrimental to the country’s higher education system. Igbafen argued that the attempt to scrap courses deemed “irrelevant” undermines university autonomy and academic freedom, and the union will resist it.

Additionally, the zone raised concerns about policy inconsistencies in education, particularly the Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa’s announcement to reverse the mother-tongue policy in early childhood education, which they say undermines pedagogical evidence and national policy coherence. Igbafen also condemned the Federal Government’s plan to establish a Coventry University campus in Nigeria under the transnational education framework without consultation. He called it an aberration to create a UK university campus in Nigeria when over 140 publicly owned universities remain underfunded.

The union appealed to all lovers of Nigeria to urge both federal and state governments to fully implement the agreement and resolve outstanding issues without further delay. The Benin zone of ASUU warned that public universities face imminent paralysis if the government persists in its old tactics of disrespecting collective bargaining and binding agreements.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent decision to appoint Professor Segun Aina as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has drawn widespread praise from education stakeholders and policy experts. At 40 years old, Aina is one of the youngest individuals to lead this pivotal institution, which oversees admissions into Nigerian universities. The president’s special adviser, Bayo Onanuga, announced the selection, emphasizing that it reflects the administration’s dedication to merit-based leadership and innovation in public service.

Onanuga stated that the president prioritizes integrating forward-thinking professionals into key positions to drive national progress. He highlighted that Aina’s academic credentials, technological expertise, and deep familiarity with Nigeria’s examination systems align perfectly with the needs of JAMB. The appointment is part of a broader trend under Tinubu’s leadership, which includes elevating younger technocrats like Mustapha Abdullahi (Energy Commission) and Jennifer Adighije (Niger Delta Power Holding Company). These moves signal a shift toward blending experience with fresh perspectives.

Professor Aina holds a PhD in Digital Signal Processing and a Master’s in Internet Computing and Network Security from Loughborough University, as well as a Bachelor’s in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent. He is currently a professor at Obafemi Awolowo University and has over 15 years collaborating with exam boards such as NECO, NABTEB, and state education ministries. His work focuses on digital systems and institutional reform, positioning him to tackle challenges like exam security, transparency, and candidate access.

In his initial response, Aina described the role as a call to national service, promising to leverage technology for efficiency and fairness. He stressed that innovation and public trust will guide his tenure. Beyond academia, he has served on governing councils and advisory boards, including Bamidele Olumilua University and Queensland Academy, and as a school governor in the UK. Analysts see this appointment as a message that competence and preparedness can overcome age barriers, especially given Nigeria’s young population. The widespread approval underscores hope for transformative education reforms under his leadership.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has cautioned the Federal Government to prepare for consequences following its alleged non-compliance with the 2026 agreement, particularly the failure to set up the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) as promised.

ASUU noted that the initial optimism from the agreement’s signing on January 14, 2026, is fading fast, and could vanish entirely if the government continues to ignore its obligations to fully enact the pact.

Speaking on Wednesday, the union’s Kano Zone Coordinator, Professor Abdulkadir Muhammad, stated: ‘Our worry stems from the government’s refusal to establish the IMC, which was meant to shield the agreement from bureaucratic hurdles and ensure smooth implementation.’

He added that so far, federal officials have executed the agreement in a disjointed and uncoordinated manner, with only a handful of state governments adopting and enforcing it.

Muhammad further revealed that vice-chancellors of federal universities have only partially implemented allowances like CATA, EAA, and PA, although these were supposed to be merged into the CONUASS salary structure for academics.

He also accused some state governors of ignoring the agreement, despite their council representatives being part of the negotiation process.

‘While we commend a few state universities for leading the way, Kano Zone strongly criticizes the selective or outright refusal of many vice-chancellors to apply the salary component of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement,’ Muhammad said.

ASUU urged both federal and state governments to honor the deal to maintain peace in Nigerian universities. The union remains dedicated to ensuring all members benefit from the hard-won gains of the eight-year negotiation (2017-2025).

Muhammad highlighted that the IMC’s absence has also undermined the National Research Council (NRC), another key part of the agreement. He expressed alarm that on April 7, 2026, Education Minister Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa announced a National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF) without consulting ASUU.

‘The union is shocked that the minister referenced a $500 million fund without acknowledging the research provisions in the FGN-ASUU agreement. While we welcome stakeholder input, we insist the government sticks to the agreement’s objectives. We will resist any attempts by external forces to derail the nation’s research agenda,’ Muhammad concluded.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Taraba State has voiced strong disapproval of the Federal Ministry of Education’s plan to drop the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) requirement for entry into colleges of education.

Nathan Solomon, the union’s state chairman, made this known during a press briefing in Jalingo on Monday. He explained that the stance was adopted at the NUT’s National Executive Council (NEC) gathering in Abuja, where members unanimously condemned the policy.

Solomon emphasized that the union was not consulted prior to the announcement and urged an immediate reversal of the decision. He noted that many nations globally prioritize teachers by offering incentives and focused support, warning that such a policy could further deteriorate Nigeria’s educational standards.

“This move will undermine the quality and integrity of the teaching profession,” Solomon stated. He called on education stakeholders to reevaluate the policy for the nation’s progress and urged JAMB to take necessary measures to protect educational quality.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has officially launched a platform for candidates who need to update their preferred institution or course of study after completing the 2026 UTME.

Fabian Benjamin, the Board’s spokesperson, confirmed in a statement that the data correction portal is now accessible to all eligible examinees.

“Individuals seeking to adjust their institution or programme selection can now do so by visiting any approved CBT centre,” the announcement read.

The Board emphasized that all modifications must be made exclusively at accredited Computer-Based Test locations to guarantee accurate processing and eliminate mistakes.

Additionally, JAMB revealed that the release of official 2026 UTME result slips will begin on May 18, 2026.

“Furthermore, the printing of original 2026 UTME result slips will commence on Monday, 18th May, 2026,” the statement concluded.