Tinubu seeks Senate approval for senior secondary education reform bill

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to fast-track the passage of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at strengthening the administration and oversight of public senior secondary education across the country.

The request was contained in a letter addressed to the Senate and read during Thursday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Tinubu said the proposed legislation, approved by the Federal Executive Council on April 30, 2026, seeks to enhance the legal and operational framework of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) to improve governance and service delivery in the education sector.

According to the President, the amendment forms part of his administration’s broader efforts to strengthen educational institutions and improve learning outcomes nationwide.

“The purpose of the bill is to strengthen the administration and governance of public senior secondary education in Nigeria,” the letter stated.

He urged lawmakers to give the bill expedited consideration, saying the proposal aligns with the government’s commitment to advancing education in the national interest.

Following the presentation, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for legislative processing.

He directed the committee to schedule the bill for further consideration and submit its report to the Senate within one week.

The National Senior Secondary Education Commission was established to coordinate the development of public senior secondary schools, promote quality assurance, support state governments through policy implementation and funding interventions, and improve standards across the education system.

If passed by the National Assembly and signed into law, the amendment is expected to strengthen the commission’s mandate and improve the management of senior secondary education in Nigeria.