By Augustine Akhilomen

The Ministry of Education has distanced itself from reports circulating in the media that the ministry is aiming at scrapping the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS). educational structure in the country.

Recall that on Thursday several media outlets had suggested that a new policy aimed at scrapping the Junior and Senior Secondary School system was already in effect, with the introduction of a 12-year basic education system.

However, the ministry in a statement issued by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo on Friday, stated that reports of an immediate policy change on the matter were untrue.

“The attention of the Federal Ministry of Education has been drawn to misleading reports suggesting that the Federal Government has scrapped Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) and replaced them with a new 12-year uninterrupted basic education model. We wish to categorically state that this is not true,” the statement issued on Friday read.

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

The ministry said there will be deliberations with stakeholders before a final decision on the proposal is made.

It said, “The final decision on whether to adopt this reform will be made at the October 2025 National Council on Education Meeting.

“The Ministry urges the public to disregard the false claim that JSS and SSS have been scrapped. The Federal Government remains committed to policies that enhance access to quality education while aligning with global best practices,” the ministry’s statement read.

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has announced a 15% raise in port tariffs, marking the first hike in 32 years.

This was disclosed by the NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, during a stakeholders’ engagement in Lagos on Thursday.

He stated that the 15% increment will be applied across board, affecting various services and operations within the ports.

According to Dantsoho, represented by Executive Director of Marine and Operations Mr. Olalekan Badmus, the NPA has maintained the same rates for over three decades despite significant economic changes.

Persecondnews reports that the changes include exchange rate fluctuations, rising wages, fuel and lubricant costs, and inflation.

The tariff increase aims to address these economic realities and ensure the sustainability of port operations.

The decision, however, has been greeted with mixed reactions.

While some stakeholders in the shipping and logistics sectors have expressed concerns about the impact of the tariff hike on the cost of doing business in Nigeria, others have acknowledged the necessity of the move in light of the agency’s financial constraints and the broader economic conditions.

The tariff increase is expected to take effect in the coming months, and the NPA has assured stakeholders that it will work closely with port operators, shipping companies, and other stakeholders to minimize any potential disruptions during the transition.

Additionally, the NPA plans to use the additional revenue generated from the increase to fund improvements of port infrastructure, enhance the capacity of terminals, and improve services such as cargo handling, storage, and security.

… says Kanu’s release will end insecurity in S’East

Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to temper justice with mercy and give freedom to the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu from detention.

Kalu made the appeal after the inaugural meeting of the House of Representatives committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC) at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

The deputy speaker commended the President for his support and commitment towards peace, development and stability of the South-East region.


He noted that the President since assuming office has in various ways proven his love for the South-Easterners through his speedy assent to the South East Development Commission Bill which failed in previous assemblies.

Suggesting the adoption of political approach than legal for the release of Kanu, Kalu said that the people of the region will be eternally grateful to the President if that becomes a reality.


Expressing optimism that the President will heed to their appeal, the deputy speaker noted that when Kanu is released insecurity in the region will be reduced and as well spring up development that the SEDC is going to bring.


“We are thankful to Mr President for doing this for the South-East. Insecurity is a major concern in the area, you can’t have development in midst of insecurity. That’s why we started what we call peace in South-East project supported by the parliament. But in doing so we noticed that the insecurity there will be reduced if Nnamdi Kanu is released. We want Nnamdi Kanu to be released because we know it will give our people more security”, he said.

“Those who are using him as excuses to perpetrate all these criminal actions around our area will have no other reason to be on the street. Then the police and security agencies will catch anyone who claims Nnamdi Kanu is the reason for causing harm to the people of South-East. So, we are begging, you can’t coarse the President, he’s the Commander in Chief. All we are saying is use political approach not the legal approach. We are appealing to him to temper justice with mercy and release Nnamdi Kanu to southeast people. It will ensure more security for our people and spring up development that this SEDC is going to bring” Kalu urged.