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From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
Former Chief of Staff to the former Governor of Imo State, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, has thrown his weight behind the Federal Government’s decision to replace the current Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) structure with a continuous 12-year basic education system, describing the reform as a major turning point for Nigeria’s education sector.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Nwosu said the policy was timely and capable of tackling the country’s growing out-of-school children crisis by eliminating barriers that prevent many students from completing secondary education.
According to him, uninterrupted access to education will strengthen Nigeria’s human capital and create better opportunities for millions of young people.
“This is one of the most important educational reforms in recent times. By creating a seamless 12-year learning structure, the Federal Government has demonstrated its commitment to removing obstacles that have hindered many children from completing their education,” he said.
Nwosu noted that the reform would particularly benefit children from rural communities and economically disadvantaged families who often struggle with the transition from junior to senior secondary school.
He also commended the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, for what he described as visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to repositioning the nation’s education sector through policies that promote access, quality and continuity.
The former Imo Chief of Staff urged state governments, education stakeholders and parents to support the implementation of the policy, insisting that education remains the bedrock of national development and economic growth.
He expressed confidence that effective implementation of the reform would significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children while equipping Nigerian youths with the knowledge and skills needed to compete globally.
Nwosu equally hailed the Federal Government’s approval of a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing it as a bold step toward transforming the scheme into a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth-empowering institution in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.
He said the planned reforms would promote entrepreneurship, improve graduates’ employability and enhance their contribution to national development.
However, Nwosu advised the Federal Government to retain the military orientation component of the NYSC, stressing that it remains critical for instilling discipline, patriotism and national unity among corps members.
He also warned against political interference in the scheme, urging the government to protect the NYSC’s integrity and preserve its core mandate of fostering national cohesion and youth development.
