The Ministry of Education has clarified that the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, only proposed the introduction of a 12-year basic education system, which is looking to scrap the Junior and Senior Secondary School system was already in effect.

According to the ministry, the policy will not be implemented immediately.

In a statement signed by the Director of Press, Folasade Boriowo, the ministry noted that the National Council on Education, NCE, would review the proposal before any final decision is made.

“At the Extraordinary National Council on Education Meeting held on 6 February 2025 in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, presented a proposal for discussion — not an immediate policy change,” it read.

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

It added: “However, this remains subject to further consultation and deliberation.

“To ensure a well-informed decision, the ministry will undertake extensive stakeholder engagements over the next eight months, consulting education policymakers, state governments, teachers, parents, and other key players.

“The final decision on whether to adopt this reform will be made at the National Council on Education meeting in October 2025.”

A Lagos State High Court sitting in Osborne, Ikoyi, has adjourned the hearing of a Case Management Conference (CMC) till March 26, 2025, in a suit filed by businessman Michael Ogbole, demanding $60,206.66 as unpaid commission from the First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

Justice O.O. Oshin fixed the date when the case came up for mention on Thursday.

When the case was called, the claimant’s counsel, Taiwo Olawanle, from the Falana & Falana’s Chambers informed the court that they had served the defence the court processes.

FCMB was represented by Gbenga Okeniyi.

The court has already issued notices for the Case Management Conference, which requires the physical presence of all parties involved.

Ogbole, in suit number LD/ADR/4635/2022, filed by his legal team at Falana & Falana Chambers accused FCMB of excluding him from the deal.

According to the claimant, on June 2, 2016, he met with FCMB’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ladi Balogun, to discuss how he could assist the bank in securing financing from Sky Enterprise LLC, a Florida-based firm specializing in trade finance, risk, and debt management.

Following their conversation, Balogun allegedly directed Ogbole to contact FCMB’s Treasurer, Mr. Gerald Ikem, who introduced him to Mr. Nomso Ezenta, Head of Structured Funding and Correspondent Banking, to coordinate the transaction.

Ogbole claimed that on September 2, 2016, he arranged a meeting between Sky Enterprise’s Global Director for Africa, Mr. Yinka Akinlabi, and FCMB officials at the bank’s headquarters to structure the trade finance deal.

Present at the meeting were senior FCMB officials, including other top executives.

Afterwards, the parties exchanged several emails and phone calls to finalise the transaction.

However, in February 2021, Ogbole discovered that FCMB had proceeded with the deal through Sky British, a subsidiary of Sky Enterprise LLC, without his involvement.

This was allegedly confirmed by FCMB’s Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending December 31, 2020.

On October 12, 2021, Ogbole, through his lawyers, demanded payment of $60,206.66—representing a one per cent commission on the $6,020,660 facility secured by FCMB from Sky British.

After FCMB failed to respond, another demand letter was sent on January 19, 2022.

Despite these efforts, Ogbole claims FCMB has refused to make the payment.

The claimant is seeking the following reliefs: “A declaration that FCMB’s failure to pay him for his role in the deal constitutes a breach of contract.

An order directing FCMB to pay the sum of $60,206.66, plus 21% interest accrued since December 31, 2020.

“N20 million in general and exemplary damages, and N5 million for the cost of the lawsuit.

The bank, through its lawyer, Prof. Wale Olawoyin (SAN), contended that the suit is a “gold-digging exercise” by the claimant, describing the claim as vexatious, outrageous, and without merit.

The bank argued that the suit should be dismissed with substantial costs.

Meanwhile, the defendant acknowledged that in 2016, the then Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ladi Balogun, was approached by Ogbole in a public place, where he presented his case, claiming to have the network to broker dollar loans for Nigerian banks, including FCMB.

Subsequently, Ogbole, primarily through telephone conversations, emails, and two physical meetings, engaged in several discussions with other top FCMB executives.

According to the bank, the discussions centred on the possibility of Ogbole and his partner, Yinka Akinlabi of Sky Enterprises LLC, facilitating offshore dollar loans and/or financing for the purchase of one of FCMB’s customers’ vessels.

The bank asserted that during meetings with Ogbole and his partner, it became clear that they lacked the required capacity, experience, and understanding of the international finance market to broker the proposed transaction.

FCMB further claims that at no point did the bank, or anyone acting on its behalf, make any commitment or agreement with Ogbole, his partner, or their representatives regarding commission or any other terms.

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

The changes take effective immediately, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman, said in a statement on Thursday.

“At Yakubu Gowon University, President Tinubu dissolved the entire governing council and relieved Prof Aisha Maikudi of her duties as Vice-Chancellor.

“Sen. Lanre Tejuoso, currently Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of the Yakubu Gowon University.

“He will be succeeded in Makurdi by Sen. Joy Emordi, now pro-chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education,” said the statement.

To succeed Maikudi, Tinubu appointed Prof. Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor at the Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month term.

She will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice Chancellor position when it becomes available.

The President has also removed Prof. Polycarp Chigbu from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, before his tenure ends on Feb. 14.

Prof. Oguejiofu 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 extends to the role of Pro-Chancellor, with Gen. Ike Nwachukwu reassigned to Pro-Chancellor at the University of Uyo.

“President Tinubu appointed Engr Olubunmi Ojo as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN. Previously, Ojo held the same position at the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.

“Prof. Zubairu Abdullahi, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed to succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja,” said the statement.

Sen. Sani Stores is the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, succeeding Sen. Joy Emordi, while Stores is now 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.

“All appointments and reassignment decisions are effective immediately.

“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,” concluded the statement.