Green Bridge Weekly Education News Digest (25 September - 2 October 2026)

This Week's Highlights

The Nigerian education sector buzzed with critical updates this past week, from looming admission deadlines and new national examination results to significant policy discussions and tertiary institution challenges. Students face crucial decisions regarding JAMB admissions, with various deadlines fast approaching. Meanwhile, NECO released its 2026 results, highlighting state performances and explaining delays. On the policy front, discussions ranged from the fundamental right to education and the utility of student loans to a comprehensive review of Nigeria's educational journey since independence. University staff unions in Lagos and Taraba continued their advocacy for improved welfare and agreement implementation, while the Federal Government announced a new framework for ranking tertiary institutions nationwide, emphasizing quality and global competitiveness. These developments collectively underscore a dynamic period for Nigeria's academic landscape, with implications for students, educators, and policymakers alike.

Admissions Update: Deadlines, Documents, and Directives

As the academic year progresses, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued several critical directives and deadlines for prospective and returning students, particularly concerning admissions and profile management. For candidates still awaiting admission, the clock is ticking: public universities (both federal and state) have until October 31, 2026, to finalize their 2026 admissions. Private universities have until November 30, 2026, and polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions have until December 31, 2026. JAMB emphasized that these dates are sacrosanct, meaning institutions that fail to process candidates on the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) by their respective deadlines will lose those candidates for the current session.

Candidates are strongly advised to regularly check their JAMB e-Facility portal and access their CAPS profiles, paying close attention to the "Transfer Approval" tab where institutions might offer alternative courses if original choices are oversubscribed. It is crucial to ensure that O'level results are accurately reflected on CAPS, subject by subject, with the correct grades. Following the release of the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results by the National Examinations Council (NECO) on September 24, candidates who applied with awaiting results must upload their NECO results to JAMB CAPS promptly. This can now be done from a phone via a verification code system, or at an accredited CBT center, to ensure schools can access their academic records during the admission process.

In a related development, JAMB has also extended the deadline for candidates with outstanding admission offers from the 2021 to 2025 admission exercises to accept or reject these offers on CAPS until November 30, 2026. This serves as a final opportunity for affected candidates, as any unresolved offers after this date will revert to "Not Admitted" on JAMB's records.

Furthermore, JAMB has introduced a one-time service allowing candidates to change the email address or phone number on their profile, effective September 21, 2026. This process must be done in person at designated JAMB CBT centers or state offices, requiring a sworn court affidavit and biometric verification. Candidates are urged to create new email addresses themselves and ensure they retain full control over their updated contact information, as this is a singular opportunity for modification.

Critical Deadlines for Admissions:

• October 31, 2026: Public Universities (Federal & State)
• November 30, 2026: Private Universities
• December 31, 2026: Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, & Other Tertiary Institutions
• November 30, 2026: Deadline for accepting/rejecting outstanding 2021-2025 JAMB offers.

Exam News: Results and Leadership Shifts

The National Examinations Council (NECO) announced the release of the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination results, revealing impressive performances from several states. Kano State emerged as the national leader, with 74,413 candidates achieving at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, marking its second consecutive year at the top. Lagos State followed closely in second place with 72,496 candidates. While many celebrated their results, students in Jigawa State's public secondary schools experienced a delay in accessing their NECO results. The Jigawa State Government attributed this to a failed bank transfer for payment to NECO, a situation that has since been resolved, with students expected to access their results from Tuesday evening.

In a significant change at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Dr. Amos Dangut, formerly the Head of the Nigerian National Office, was appointed as the new Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2026. Dr. Dangut, the 14th Registrar, will serve a five-year term, succeeding Pateh Bah of The Gambia. His appointment was ratified by WAEC's International Governing Board in March 2026. Dr. Dangut is credited with championing several digital initiatives during his tenure in Nigeria, including Computer-Based WASSCE, serialisation of question papers, a Digital Electronic Marking System, and a Digital Certificate Portal, aiming to enhance examination delivery, security, and efficiency across the sub-region.

University Rankings & Quality Assurance

Nigerian universities demonstrated improved performance in the global academic arena, with three institutions making it into the world's top 1,000 in the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. Covenant University, the University of Ibadan (UI), and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) were jointly placed in the 801–1000 band. This achievement places Nigeria as the most represented country in sub-Saharan Africa within the rankings, with a total of 29 Nigerian universities included, up from 24 in the previous year. Five institutions, including Osun State University and the University of Maiduguri, appeared in the rankings for the first time.

Complementing this international recognition, the Federal Government is set to introduce a nationwide ranking system for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. The Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee (NiTERAC) is coordinating this exercise, which will assess universities based on 22 performance indicators. Scheduled for completion by December 15, 2026, the initiative aims to foster constructive competition, help institutions identify areas for improvement, and ultimately strengthen Nigeria's standing in international rankings.

University Operations: Strikes and Appointments

The tertiary education sector in Nigeria faced significant industrial action and administrative changes this week. In Lagos State, teaching and non-teaching staff across state-owned universities—Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), and Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM)—commenced an indefinite strike. Operating under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), the unions cited the Lagos State Government's alleged failure to implement previously agreed-upon terms, including the 2025 Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN)/unions agreement, payment of nine months' accumulated arrears, compliance with non-taxable allowances, and the implementation of a 15 percent "Lagos Factor" to address the high cost of living in the state. The unions stressed their commitment to dialogue but were compelled to strike after negotiations failed.

Similarly, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Taraba State University Chapter (ASUU-TSU), rejected its involvement in a newly constituted committee by the Taraba State Government to review staff remuneration and workforce. The union described the committee as unnecessary, expressing concern that another review process would further delay the implementation of the remuneration framework arising from the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement. ASUU-TSU insisted that verification and financial computation processes had already been completed, paving the way for immediate implementation.

In a progressive move, Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, made headlines by appointing two female academics, Associate Professors Keziah Ayuba and Martha Niri Choji, as Deputy Vice-Chancellors. This makes PLASU only the second Nigerian university to have women simultaneously occupy both DVC positions. Ayuba was reappointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, while Choji takes on the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Shedrack Best, emphasized that the appointments reflect his administration's commitment to equity, inclusiveness, and merit.

Shaping the Future of Education: Policy & Vision

Discussions around Nigeria's education policy continued to evolve, touching on fundamental rights, historical challenges, and future-readiness. Former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, strongly advocated for treating education as a fundamental right rather than burdening students with loans, especially given high graduate unemployment rates. He urged the Federal Government to prioritize creating opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, aligning with communal values of shared responsibility for child upbringing.

As Nigeria marked 66 years of independence, a comprehensive review highlighted the nation's journey through ambitious educational reforms—from the 6-3-3-4 system and Universal Primary Education to the Universal Basic Education program and the expansion of tertiary institutions. Despite numerous policies, the persistent challenge remains the gap between policy formulation and consistent implementation, often due to inadequate funding, infrastructure, and teacher development. The current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is driving a broad education reform agenda through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), focusing on technical and vocational education, STEM, out-of-school children, data, and quality assurance. Key developments include a curriculum overhaul reintroducing Nigerian History and emphasizing practical trade subjects, alongside initiatives like providing 100MB of free daily data for educational platforms and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for zero-interest student loans. However, the success of these reforms hinges on effective implementation, sustained funding, and addressing underlying issues like the estimated 15 million out-of-school children.

Further shaping this vision is the imperative for schools to prepare students for a world of constant change. Insights from the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 emphasize skills like analytical thinking, resilience, creative thinking, and technological literacy. Schools are urged to move beyond rote memorization, fostering critical thinking, adaptability, and lifelong learning. This involves connecting learning to real-world situations, encouraging independent thought, and helping students understand how to continue learning beyond the classroom. The focus is on developing the ability to question information, solve unfamiliar problems, use technology responsibly, and respond constructively to change, ensuring students are equipped with transferable skills for diverse future pathways.

Nigeria's Education: Policy to Progress:

• Ex-Minister's Call: Education is a right, not a loan burden; prioritize opportunities for the poor.
• 66 Years of Reform: Ambitious policies often hampered by implementation gaps, funding, and infrastructure deficits.
• Current Reforms (NESRI): Focus on TVET, STEM, out-of-school children, digital literacy, and quality assurance.
• Future-Ready Skills: Emphasize critical thinking, adaptability, and lifelong learning to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

Student Support & Resources

Students have new avenues for financial support and exam preparation. The Aliko Dangote Foundation announced the Dangote Scholarship 2026, a non-repayable grant for 30,000 undergraduates in federal and state universities. Targeting students in science, technology, engineering, and medicine (STEM) and related disciplines, eligible candidates must have a CGPA of at least 2.5. Five percent of the scholarships are reserved for students with disabilities, distributed across all 774 local government areas. While the scheme is expected to commence in October with the new session, the application portal is not yet open, and students are cautioned against fraudulent links or requests for fees.

For those preparing for examinations, a new free nightly JAMB English practice challenge has been launched by Classes.ng. This challenge, open from 7 pm to 10 pm, features 60 questions from past papers, with a strict 5-second time limit per question for English (12 seconds for Maths in GCE challenges). It aims to help students practice answering under timed pressure, crucial for UTME success, and offers daily airtime prizes for top performers.

In other news, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), released its approved undergraduate academic calendar for the 2026/2027 session, with first-semester lectures scheduled to begin on November 9, 2026, offering clarity for its student body.

Looking Ahead

The coming weeks will be critical for numerous students, particularly those still seeking admission into public universities before the October 31st JAMB deadline. The extended deadline for resolving outstanding 2021-2025 admission offers on CAPS, set for November 30, also demands immediate attention from affected candidates. Further details on the Dangote Scholarship 2026 application process are eagerly awaited. Discussions surrounding education funding, the implementation of agreements for university staff, and the Federal Government's ongoing efforts to rank tertiary institutions will continue to shape the sector. These developments collectively highlight a period of significant activity and anticipation within Nigeria's educational landscape.