Nigeria President Tinubu Pushes Senior Secondary Education Reform Bill

President Bola Tinubu wrote to Senate President Godswill Akpabio asking the Senate to fast‑track the National Senior Secondary Education Commission Amendment Bill, 2026. The bill, approved by the Federal Executive Council on 30 April 2026 and vetted by the Ministry of Justice, seeks to strengthen the administration and governance of public senior secondary schools and to improve learning outcomes across Nigeria.

Tinubu’s proposal comes amid debate over merging junior and senior secondary education to create a continuous 12‑year schooling system and reduce the estimated 20 million pupil dropouts between primary and secondary levels. After the letter was read on the Senate floor, the bill was referred to the Committee on Rules and Business, which was instructed to report back within a week.

The amendment aims to enhance the legal framework of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission, coordinate policy, funding and quality assurance for secondary education nationwide.