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FG Sets New Minimum Age for JSS1 Admission Nationwide
The Federal Government has announced the minimum for admission into JSS1 after six years of primary schooling
New policy documents reveal private and non-state schools are rapidly outgrowing state schools, especially at the junior secondary level
Beyond age requirements, the policy reflects growing attention to the role of private and non-state schools across the country.
Students are now generally expected to finish secondary education around age 18, aligning with earlier university admission guidelines
The Federal Government has introduced a new policy setting 12 years as the minimum age for students to enter Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1).
The decision, unveiled in a fresh policy document on Non-State Schools by the Federal Ministry of Education, aims to standardise age-based progression through Nigeria’s basic education system.
According to the guidelines, children are expected to complete six years of primary schooling before advancing to JSS1 at around age 12.
This follows three years in nursery, beginning at age three, and an additional compulsory pre-primary year at age five, as detailed in the National Policy on Education (2013 Edition).
The document explains: “Basic education shall be of nine years’ duration. There shall be a six-year primary and a three-year Junior Secondary School (JSS). Children shall be admitted into Primary One when they attain the age of six years. Every child must complete six years of primary education. They shall be admitted into Junior Secondary School (JSS1) when they have completed six (6) years of primary education, at around the age of twelve (12) years.”
By structuring early education this way, students are generally expected to complete secondary school by age 18, which aligns with the previously recommended minimum age for university admission. While former Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman had suggested 18 years as the lower age limit for university entry, current Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa has since reviewed it back to 16 years.
Beyond age requirements, the policy reflects growing attention to the role of private and non-state schools across the country.
These include institutions run by private individuals, faith-based groups, and community organisations, which are largely funded through fees and donations rather than government resources.
Recent data from the Nigeria Education Digest 2022 shows a sharp increase in the number of non-state schools, particularly at the junior secondary level. Between 2017 and 2022, non-state junior secondary schools expanded by 35.06 per cent, compared to a growth of just 6.8 per cent among state schools.
At the primary level, non-state schools increased by 31.56 per cent over the same period, while state schools recorded a modest 3.3 per cent growth.
The data further reveals that non-state schools now outnumber government-run schools at the junior secondary level in at least 26 states, though state schools remain more prevalent in 19 states at the primary level.….Continue Reading
The Kano State Government has declared Tuesday, September 1, 2026, a work-free day for civil servants across the state to observe Takutaha, the annual religious and traditional procession.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf approved the announcement, which was formally addressed to senior government officials including commissioners, permanent secretaries, and heads of state agencies.
As reported by Daily Trust, the directive was published in Circular No. 7/2026, signed by Abba A. Danguguwa, Permanent Secretary of the Establishment Directorate in the Office of the Head of Civil Service.
Danguguwa issued the statement on behalf of the Head of Service. The circular noted that the holiday falls on the 19th of Rabi’ul Awwal, 1448AH.
What Is Takutaha?
Takutaha is a centuries-old celebration held on the 19th of Rabi’ul Awwal each year. It commemorates the seventh-day naming ceremony following the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and carries deep spiritual and cultural significance for residents of Kano.
Many make their way to Twin Dala and Goron Dutse hills, where they climb to share meals, feast, and enjoy religious performances while overlooking Kano
Kano government’s message to civil servants
In its declaration, the Kano State Government described Takutaha as an occasion of deep communal and spiritual importance. Officials urged civil servants to use the day for prayers and reflection, seeking divine blessings for peace and prosperity in Kano and Nigeria as a whole.
The government also confirmed that essential services will continue to operate normally throughout the holiday.
2 public holidays in August 2026
Recall that Nigeria has two public holidays scheduled for August 2026, covering both religious and cultural observances.
Isese Day falls on Thursday, August 20, and four Southwest states are set to observe it as a work-free day.
Eid ul-Mawlid comes up later in August, with its date depending on moon sighting and authorities’ confirmation.
Ibadan, Oyo state – Alhaji Abdul Waheed Akintola Olajide, who served as Secretary to the Oyo State Government during the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
He was reported to be either 74 or 80 years old, with different accounts giving conflicting figures.
As reported by The Guardian, Olajide’s family confirmed his death in a statement released on Wednesday, August 26, describing him as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and cousin. The family thanked God for his life and called on friends and the public to offer prayers and support as they grieve, according to PM News. He was buried in Ibadan on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, in accordance with Islamic burial rites.
Olajide was a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was widely regarded as a committed public servant within Oyo State political circles.
Waheed Olajide: Aare Musulumi Pays Tribute
The Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola Akinola De-Damak, confirmed Olajide’s sad passing and expressed deep sadness over the death.
Through a statement, the Aare Musulumi called Olajide a devout Muslim, a man of integrity and a dedicated public servant who served Oyo State with dignity and a strong sense of responsibility.
He described the loss as “painful” for the late SSG’s family, the Muslim community and Oyo State as a whole.
Olajide’s death: Media Personality Recalls Personal Bond
Faysol Oluwakemi, who is also a media personality, shared a personal tribute on his Facebook page, recalling the role Olajide played during his own political journey ahead of the 2027 Oyo State House of Assembly election. He wrote:
The news of the passing of Alhaji Waheed Olajide, former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, is deeply painful to me.
“Beyond the fact that we belonged to the same Progressives family and came from the same Ward 3 in Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1, Alhaji Waheed Olajide was a father figure, mentor and political elder to me.”
Oluwakemi recalled that Olajide counselled him during campaign consultations and encouraged him even after he lost his party ticket. He quoted one of the late SSG’s pieces of advice:
“You have all the qualities to represent our constituency. I pray you get the ticket. But promise me that whenever you get the ticket, you will represent Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1 with dignity, transparency and inclusion.”
He closed his tribute with the words: “Rest well, Baba SSG. Your words will continue to guide me.”
The Federal Government has appointed a Professor at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Emmanuel Olukemi Rotimi, as a member of the Policy Advisory Committee supporting the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill.
Daily Voice reports that Rotimi was selected because of his academic work on the history and development of policing in Nigeria, especially his research into the country’s former decentralised police systems.
According to Nigerian Tribune, the proposed National Policing Bill is being prepared to create a legal framework for the operation of both Federal and State Police Services.
The Presidential Working Group is chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The group has been given seven weeks to prepare a draft of the proposed legislation that can be implemented and submit it to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The Policy Advisory Committee is headed by retired Justice Mohammed Abdullahi Liman.
Its duties include providing policy guidance, giving instructions for the drafting process and reviewing the contents of the proposed Bill before it is finalised.
Rotimi is a professor in the Department of History at Obafemi Awolowo University and has spent many years studying Nigeria’s policing system.
His academic work has focused on how policing developed under colonial and post-colonial administrations and the challenges faced by earlier local police institutions.
His master’s research examined the Native Administration Police Forces in Western Nigeria between 1905 and 1951.
He later conducted doctoral research on Native Administration Police Forces across Nigeria from 1900 to 1970.
He also authored The Police in a Federal State: The Nigerian Experience, published in 2001. The book examined the origin, organization, and development of Native Authority and Local Government police forces before those institutions were eventually abolished
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