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Senate Seeks Urgent Revival of Technical, Vocational Education

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By Dipo Olowookere

The Nigerian Senate has emphasised the urgent need to resuscitate technical and vocational education (TVE), saying it serves as a vector for human capacity development.

The upper legislature made this appeal during a three–day capacity building workshop organized for the Senate Committee on Local Content in Accra, Ghana.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, Mr Solomon Adeola, while speaking during the conference, explained that his committee was set up to ensure the use of local manpower by companies operating in Nigeria; design policies that would engender the patronage of locally made goods and services; to oversight the work of NCDMB and to identify the gaps in the NOGICD Act with a view to amending it to reflect current realities.

He noted that the Senate capacity building workshop was necessary to develop legislators’ understanding the mandate of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the journey so far, what has been achieved, the challenges and further actions required “to ensure that Nigerians derive more benefits from the industry”.

The lawmaker observed that the curriculum of science, engineering and technology courses offered in Nigerian Universities and other tertiary institutions needed to be reformed and reorganized to meet requirements of the oil and gas Industry.

He said the NCDMB was fulfilling the purpose for which it was established.

Also, the Senate Minority Leader and Vice Chairman of the Committee, Mr Godswill Akpabio, as well as other senators re-echoed the same opinion and promised to support the board to ensure that Nigerians derive more benefits from the oil and gas Industry.

Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Mr Abiodun Olujumi, underlined that the participation of two principal officers of the Senate – with six other senators clearly showed the importance the upper legislature attaches to the issue of local content in Nigeria.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Structure and Operation of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board,’ the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Simbi Wabote, reaffirmed the determination of the board to fulfil its mission “to be the catalyst for the industrialization of Nigerian oil and gas and its linkage sectors.”

He acknowledged the encouraging remarks of the Senators, noting that their commendations and positive feedback will act as fresh tonic to the board in the pursuit of its strategic objective to increase Nigerian Content performance to 70 percent in the next 10 years.

The workshop had many papers presentations from a cross section of professionals. The papers were followed with panel discussions.

There were lively and extensive question and answer sessions. At the end of the workshop, the Senators unanimously agreed that there was an overwhelming need to amend the NOGICD Act to provide clarity to some vague and ambiguous expressions in the Law; to revisit the waiver provisions; to rephrase the section on penalty for effectiveness; and to undertake a holistic review and repackaging of the Act to cover other sectors of the economy and to meet current realities.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Education

Education Minister Denies Scrapping 6-3-3-4 System

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Olatunji Alausa

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Minister of Education, Mr Tunji Alausa, has denied reports making the rounds that the federal government has scrapped the current 6-3-3-4 system for a new structure, the 12-4 model.

The media space was agog on Thursday with news that the Education Minister was planning to introduce a new 12-year uninterrupted basis education structure because of the scrapping of the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) classes.

He was said to have made this proposal yesterday while speaking at the 2025 Extraordinary National Council of Education meeting of in Abuja.

Reacting to this, Mr Alausa clarified that the new system has not been introduced but was being proposed to replace the current structure.

At a media conference on Friday, the Minister appealed to members of the public to disregard the false claim that JSS and SSS have been scrapped, noting that, “The federal government remains committed to policies that enhance access to quality education while aligning with global best practices.”

He stressed that his remarks on the issue were misinterpreted as he merely presented a proposal for discussion—not an immediate policy change.

“The proposal seeks to migrate to 12 years of compulsory education while retaining the current 6-3-3 structure.

“At the Extraordinary National Council on Education (NCE) Meeting held on February 6, 2025, in Abuja, I presented a proposal for discussion—not an immediate policy change. The proposal seeks to migrate to 12 years of compulsory education while retaining the current 6-3-3 structure.

“A key aspect of this proposal is to eliminate the examination barrier between JSS and SSS, allowing for a seamless transition of students without the hurdles of an external assessment at that stage. However, this is still a subject of consultation and deliberation.

“To ensure a well-informed decision, the Ministry will undertake extensive stakeholder engagements over the next eight months, consulting widely with education policymakers, state governments, teachers, parents, and other key players. The final decision on whether to adopt this reform will be made at the October 2025 National Council on Education Meeting,” he explained.

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Tinubu Overhauls Federal Universities Leadership

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By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has announced significant leadership changes at several federal universities, including the University of Abuja, which is now known as Yakubu Gowon University.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, these changes are effective immediately.

At Yakubu Gowon University, named after Nigeria’s longest-serving Head of State from 1966 to 1975, President Tinubu dissolved the entire governing council and relieved Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi of her duties as Vice-Chancellor. He chose Mr Lanre Tejuoso, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, as the Pro-Chancellor of the Yakubu Gowon University.

He will be succeeded in Makurdi by Ms Joy Emordi after being moved from Alvan Ikoku University of Education.

To succeed Professor Maikudi, President Tinubu appointed Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor of the Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month term. She will not be eligible to apply for the substantive position when it becomes available.

In addition, President Tinubu has removed Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), before his tenure ends on February 14.

Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam has been appointed as his successor for six months and will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.

The leadership changes at UNN extend to the role of Pro-Chancellor, with Mr Ike Nwachukwu reassigned to Pro-Chancellor at the University of Uyo.

Mr Tinubu also appointed Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN. Previously, he held the same position at the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.

Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed to succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja.

Mr Sani Stores is the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, succeeding Senator Joy Emordi. He is a Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Additionally, Mr Olugbenga Kukoyi, a current Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has been appointed the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.

“All appointments and reassignment decisions are effective immediately,” the statement affirmed.

President Tinubu emphasised that these changes reflect his administration’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s higher education system through dynamic leadership and accountability.

The restructuring aims to strengthen governance and academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

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Tax Clearance Certificate Required to Enjoy Free Education in Lagos—LIRS

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

For children to access free education from kindergarten to SS3 in Lagos State-funded schools, their parents must provide a Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC), the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has reiterated.

According to the chairman of the tax agency, Mr Ayo Subair, “It is standard procedure to require a Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) to access government services.

“To obtain a TCC, individuals must file their annual tax returns for the applicable assessment year and ensure their tax payments are currently based on their declared income,” Mr Subair stated.

He highlighted that this requirement has been in practice for a long time and aligns with Section 85 of the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) 2004 (as amended).

He disclosed this initiative, part of the THEMES PLUS agenda, is included in the government’s broader efforts to provide essential services such as affordable housing, efficient transportation, free healthcare, youth and small business empowerment programs, enhanced security, and better road infrastructure, among others.

The tax chief emphasised that every resident of the state, whether in formal employment or not, is required by law to file annual tax returns, declare their income and pay any taxes due.

This requirement is backed by the Nigerian constitution; it is also the law, as stipulated in the PITA and part of the social contract between the government and residents, he stressed.

According to him, requiring a TCC for access to free services is not a new policy but a longstanding practice intended to foster fairness and transparency in using public resources, noting tax revenues help fund various public programs that benefit millions of Lagos residents.

For informal sector taxpayers, who might not have detailed financial records, the government has introduced a presumptive tax of N10,100 (comprising N10,000 in annual tax and a N100 development levy) to facilitate their inclusion in the tax net.

Mr Subair explained that tax compliance is essential for the sustainability of public programs and services, emphasising that the Lagos State government is dedicated to offering quality and efficient services to its residents.

As part of this mission, it mandates that all taxable individuals register with the tax authority, submit their returns, and pay applicable taxes to maintain an updated TCC.

To enhance the convenience and streamline the process, LIRS has deployed staff and agents to markets and schools, establishing one-stop centres where individuals can obtain their TCC without needing to visit tax offices.

Flexible payment options, including instalment plans, are also available, though full payment must be completed before the TCC is issued, adding that the TCC of guardians will be accepted from students who do not reside with their biological parents.

“The aim is fairness, accountability, and sustainability. This policy is not about inflicting hardship, but rather ensuring that everyone, including those in the formal sector, contributes their fair share to sustain the provision of essential services,” the LIRS chief stated.

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