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FG bars graduation ceremonies for pre-Pry 6 students, orders reuse of textbooks
The Federal Government, on Friday, announced a new policy framework aimed at reducing the financial burden on parents, improving learning outcomes, and promoting sustainability in schools through the adoption of reusable, high-quality textbooks.
The policy was jointly unveiled by the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suiwaba Sai’d, as part of ongoing reforms to reposition Nigeria’s education sector.
According to the ministers, the initiative prioritises the use of standardised, durable textbooks designed to last between four and six years, while expressly prohibiting the bundling of disposable workbooks with textbooks in schools.
“This approach is intended to ensure that learning materials can be reused across multiple academic sessions,” they said, adding that the measure would allow siblings to share textbooks, significantly lower recurring education costs for parents, and reduce waste within the school system.
As part of broader reforms, the Federal Government has also introduced a uniform academic calendar to promote consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning nationwide.
The ministers further disclosed that graduation ceremonies have been streamlined to ease financial pressure on families.
Under the new guidelines, only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) will be permitted to hold graduation ceremonies.
They emphasised that the policy strengthens the assessment, quality assurance, selection, and use of textbooks and instructional materials across the country.
The reforms, they noted, respond to longstanding concerns over frequent but cosmetic textbook revisions and practices that compel parents to purchase new textbooks annually without corresponding improvements in content.
A key provision of the policy is the introduction of structured and meaningful revision cycles. “Under the new framework, textbook revisions must reflect substantive improvements in content rather than minor changes in layout or pagination, thereby extending the lifespan of approved textbooks and ensuring better value for money,” the ministers explained.
The policy also introduced limits on the number of approved textbooks per subject and grade level, in line with international best practices observed in countries such as Japan, Kenya, and Tanzania.
“This measure is expected to improve quality, reduce market saturation, and simplify textbook selection processes for schools and education authorities.”
“The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue to play a central role in assessing and assuring the quality of instructional materials, working with relevant agencies to ensure that only curriculum-aligned textbooks are approved for use in schools.”
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to education renewal, the ministry commended the Universal Basic Education Commission, NERDC, and other technical partners for their contributions to the new framework.
“The Federal Government remains resolved to safeguard educational standards, promote equity, reduce costs for parents, and ensure that learners across Nigeria have access to high-quality instructional materials that support effective teaching and learning outcomes,” the ministers said.
The Edo State Police Command Saturday said it has rescued nine victims abducted from two separate incidents during a recent kidnapping incident along the Benin–Lagos Expressway.
A statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, noted that the rescue follows recent attacks along the busy highway, including a reported assault on a GUO Transport bus.
It said the immediate and massive deployment of tactical teams, intelligence assets, aerial surveillance, and other operational resources by the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, to the affected corridor, led to the operation’s success.
“The sustained rescue efforts, coordinated bush-combing operations, and strategic domination of the area exerted pressure on the kidnappers ultimately leading to the safe rescue of all victims. They have since received medical evaluation and treatment, and reunited with their families”, the statement read.
Four of the kidnapped victims who were abducted earlier this month and held in captivity within the Imiegba forest in Agenebode have been rescued.
“They have likewise received medical attention and are safe, making a total of nine kidnapped victims rescued.
“The Edo State Police Command wishes to reassure the public, particularly commuters and residents, that security deployment along the Benin–Lagos Expressway and adjoining communities has been significantly strengthened”, the statement said, adding that
Tactical, intelligence, and operational assets have been fully activated across the axis, and the deployments will remain in place until the route is completely safe and secure for all road users.
The Command said it is also intensifying efforts to apprehend the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.
‘We are confident that all those involved will be tracked down and brought to justice in the shortest possible time”.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, political momentum appears to be building within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State, as party leaders and stakeholders have openly declared support for the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The endorsement, which took place during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Maiduguri, signals an early consolidation of party loyalty in the North-East, even as broader national political alignments continue to evolve.
Presiding over the gathering, the APC National Vice Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, formally tabled the motion for adoption of the joint ticket, putting it to a voice vote.
He said, “Let me also put the motion to a voice vote. Those in support of the joint ticket of Tinubu/Kashim should say ‘Aye’,” drawing a resounding chorus of approval from attendees, saying that the “Ayes have it”.
Despite the early endorsement, speakers at the meeting stressed the importance of cohesion within party ranks. Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum urged members to sustain unity and avoid divisive tendencies as political activities gather pace.
He said, “Power is something that God gives to whom he wishes. No matter how much you dislike a person, if God gives it to him, he will get it.”
The governor further called on party faithful to remain aligned with democratic principles while intensifying grassroots mobilization ahead of the polls.
“Already the party chairman made this appeal and reemphasized our commitment to work for the success of the Tinubu/Kashim joint ticket in the 2027 general election,” he said.
Adding to the narrative of growing support, the state APC chairman, Bello Ayuba, pointed to ongoing political realignments, attributing them to governance efforts within the state.
“As I’m talking to you now, a large number of decampees from other political parties are waiting to be formally accepted into the APC,” he added.
The development underscores a strategic push by the party in Borno to strengthen its base, even as the national political landscape gradually tilts toward the next electoral cycle.
A student of Plateau State Polytechnic, identified as Priscilla, has died after battling injuries she sustained during a deadly herdsmen attack in Heipang community, located in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack, which occurred on April 1, 2026, reportedly threw the community into panic as armed assailants stormed the area and opened fire on residents, leaving deaths and injuries in their wake.
During the violent incident, another student identified as Gloria was killed on the spot, while several others sustained gunshot wounds, including Priscilla, who was rushed to the hospital for urgent medical treatment.
She had reportedly remained hospitalized for weeks, fighting for her life as doctors worked to stabilize her condition. However, despite medical efforts, she eventually succumbed to her injuries on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Her death has added to the grief already felt by students, friends, and residents still recovering from the shock of the earlier attack.
Following news of her passing, friends and colleagues took to Facebook to express sorrow and pay tribute to her memory, describing her as a young life cut short by violence.
Many of the condolence messages reflected pain, frustration, and renewed calls for stronger security measures in Plateau communities that have continued to witness repeated attacks and deadly clashes.
The tragic loss of both Gloria and Priscilla has once again drawn attention to the persistent insecurity affecting several parts of Plateau State, where residents have repeatedly called for urgent intervention to protect lives and prevent further bloodshed.
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