Former Chief of Staff to ex-Imo State Governor, Uche Nwosu, has commended the Federal Government for replacing the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) structure with a unified 12-year basic education system, describing the move as progressive and long overdue.
Nwosu, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the policy announced by the Federal Ministry of Education directly addresses Nigeria’s persistent school dropout challenge.
“The current break between junior and senior secondary education often forces many children, especially those from poor homes, out of school,” he said.
“The seamless 12-year structure removes obstacles that deny children continuous learning. This is one of the most important reforms in recent times and demonstrates the government’s commitment to education.”
He noted that rural communities stand to benefit significantly from the new arrangement, stressing that uninterrupted schooling would improve student retention, reduce the financial burden on parents, and strengthen Nigeria’s human capital base for future development.
The former Chief of Staff also praised the Minister of Education, , for what he described as visionary leadership.
“The minister has shown courage in driving reforms aimed at improving access, quality and continuity in the education sector,” Nwosu stated.
He further applauded the Federal Government’s decision to overhaul the into a skills-driven and productivity-focused programme.
According to him, “the reform aligns with the vision of the President to build a one-trillion-dollar economy through an empowered and productive youth population.”
However, Nwosu urged the government to retain the military orientation component of the NYSC scheme, arguing that it remains vital in instilling discipline, patriotism, and a sense of national service among young Nigerians.
He also warned against political interference that could undermine the scheme’s core mandate of promoting national unity and cohesion.
