Friday, May 1, has been declared a public holiday to commemorate this year’s International Workers’ Day.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement on behalf of the federal government in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani

The minister congratulates workers nationwide, commending their commitments and contributions to national development.

The minister emphasised that the dedication of Nigerian workers remains vital to the country’s growth and economic progress, urging them to sustain values of patriotism, productivity and diligence.

Tunji-Ojo also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare, enhancing security and creating an enabling environment for economic expansion.

Photo: Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa said Monday that effectively from the September 2026 academic session, only the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, NERDC, approved textbooks will be use for instructional materials in primary , junior and senior secretary schools nationwide.

“Only a select number of top-ranked textbooks will be approved for use in schools per subject, effectively eliminating the glut of materials that has long plagued the system and confused teachers, students, and parents alike,” said Alausa.

He emphasised that any textbook not ranked under the new system will be barred from classrooms, regardless of its previous licensing status, signalling a firm commitment to raising standards and restoring order in the education sector.

He explained that under the new framework, the NERDC, will retain its statutory role of approving textbooks but will now go a step further by ranking them through a rigorous national evaluation process.

This ranking will be done by committees to determine the most suitable and highest-quality textbooks for each subject and level of education.

These committees will subject submitted textbooks to strict academic and pedagogical scrutiny, assessing their relevance, clarity, and alignment with national standards before assigning rankings.

The policy will be backed by nationwide sensitisation efforts targeting educators and key stakeholders to ensure compliance.

The government said that the reform aligns Nigeria with global best practices in instructional material standardisation and forms part of broader efforts to boost learning outcomes, strengthen quality assurance, and equip students with reliable, high-standard educational resources.

Photo: Tajudeen Islamic Foundation and Children’s Home, alongside the Daarulkitab Islamic Training Center in Zariagi, Kogi State.

The Kogi State Government has warned that establishing orphanages, schools, and similar facilities in vulnerable areas without proper registration and notification to authorities is a serious security risks, especially in the prevailing insecurity environment.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said that the operation of such facilities outside regulatory oversight not only undermines safety standards but also exposes innocent children to avoidable dangers.

According to the Commissioner, the government, therefore, urged operators of orphanages and schools to comply strictly with existing regulations and engage relevant authorities for proper security assessment and protection.

The warning came on the backdrop of Sunday April 26 bandit attack on an unregistered orphanage and school facility in Zariagi, along the Kabba Junction axis of Lokoja.

The facility, identified as Dahallukitab Group of School, was reportedly operating illegally in a remote, bushy location without registration with the State Government or the knowledge of relevant authorities and security agencies.

The incident occurred late on April 26, 2026, when unknown gunmen invaded the premises and abducted 23 pupils alongside the wife of the proprietor.

Following the swift intervention of security operatives, led by the Nigeria Police Force in Kogi State and supported by other agencies, 15 pupils have been rescued , while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims.

Fanwo commended the gallantry and professionalism of the security agencies, noting that their swift and coordinated response significantly curtailed the impact of the attack..

Reaffirming its stance, the Kogi State Government assured residents of its uncompromising commitment to the protection of lives and property, adding that security operations remain active to bring the situation under full control.