Education News Today, 13 November 2026: ASUU Names Defaulting States, NELFUND Passes N375bn, WAEC Compulsory for International Schools
Last updated: 13 November 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Morning roundup · Friday 13 November 2026 · By Ade Adeniyi, Founder and Editor
University lecturers used their annual Heroes’ Day to take stock of the new agreement with government, the student loan fund says it has now paid out more than ₦375 billion, and families with children in international schools face a new rule from 2027. JAMB’s new registrar is reporting on his first three months, and fresh figures show how sharply interest in UK study visas has fallen.
Today at a glance
- ASUU says most governments are implementing its renegotiated agreement but names Imo and Taraba as defaulters, and declares itself neutral for 2027.
- NELFUND has disbursed over ₦375 billion and warns students against collecting school fees twice.
- From 2027, students in private and foreign-curriculum schools in Nigeria must sit WAEC, NECO, NABTEB or NBAIS.
- JAMB says it resolved 50,370 of 52,517 complaints in Professor Segun Aina’s first three months.
- UK student visa applications fell 31% in October, the lowest October figure in three years.
1. ASUU: agreement on track, but Imo and Taraba lag behind
What happened
Speaking at the union’s 2026 Heroes’ Day in Abuja on Thursday, ASUU president Professor Christopher Piwuna said implementation of the renegotiated agreement, concluded last year, is now fully under way, with most state governments keeping their side of the bargain. He named Imo and Taraba as the main defaulters and said the strike at Imo State University would continue until the state meets the union’s demands. Piwuna also said ASUU will not back any party or candidate in the 2027 elections and warned officials who use the union’s name for partisan purposes that they will face discipline. Minister of State for Education Professor Suwaiba Ahmad praised the renegotiated deal as proof of the government’s commitment to industrial harmony. Separately, ASUU at Kaduna State University said its members are not on strike and lectures continue; the industrial action there involves non-teaching staff.
Why it matters
For students and parents, the message is that strikes are now more likely to be local, state-by-state disputes rather than nationwide shutdowns. If you are at a state university, check your own branch’s position. Our ASUU strike update explains the agreement and what has changed.
Source: Leadership; News Agency of Nigeria; Leadership (KASU).
2. NELFUND: over ₦375bn paid out, and a warning about double fees
What happened
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund says that by the end of October 2026 it had disbursed more than ₦375 billion: over ₦194 billion paid directly to institutions for fees and over ₦180 billion in upkeep allowances to students. Managing director Akintunde Sawyerr announced the figures at a sensitisation “roadshow” at the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs in Abuja. The campaign is visiting 34 ministries and will move on to military, police and immigration barracks. NELFUND’s SERVICOM director, Olusola Fowobaje, said some students take the loan and still collect fees from their parents, which is part of why the fund is now targeting parents directly. He also restated that the loans are interest-free, the upkeep allowance is ₦20,000 a month, and taking a loan does not stop anyone from travelling.
Why it matters
If your child is at a public university, polytechnic or college of education, check whether their fees have already been paid through NELFUND before you send money. The loan has to be repaid once the beneficiary is employed, so families should keep records of what has been drawn.
Source: ThisDay; Blueprint; Daily Post.
3. International schools: Nigerian exams compulsory from 2027
What happened
The Federal Ministry of Education has issued national guidelines requiring every senior secondary student educated in Nigeria to sit at least one approved Nigerian exam, WAEC, NECO, NABTEB or NBAIS, from the 2027 academic year. The rule covers private and foreign-curriculum schools whose students take British, American or French qualifications. Students can still sit international exams as well, but the Nigerian one becomes mandatory. A ministry committee is also reviewing how foreign secondary certificates, such as the US and Canadian high school diploma and the French baccalaureate, are recognised, and the government is considering an assessment test before NYSC for Nigerians with foreign degrees. Meanwhile, the Senate has passed a bill amending the National Senior Secondary Education Commission Act to clarify the roles of federal and state bodies.
Why it matters
Parents paying for IGCSE, A-level or IB programmes should plan for an extra exam and its registration fees. WAEC school registration for 2027 closes on 22 January 2027, so schools will need to act quickly. Students aiming for Nigerian universities will benefit from having a local certificate that admission systems already recognise.
Source: BusinessDay; ThisDay; Vanguard.
4. JAMB clears 50,370 complaints as 2027 UTME preparations begin
What happened
JAMB’s sixth registrar, Professor Segun Aina, says the board received 52,517 complaints through its customer service channels in his first three months and resolved 50,370 of them, about 96%. More than 5,000 backlogged cases were cleared in his first five days. Many involved admission record errors and NIN mismatches, which the board tackled through a NIN alignment exercise. Aina said JAMB is now preparing for the 2027 UTME, which is proposed for 15 to 25 March 2027 under the government’s harmonised exam calendar. A northern group, Arewa Think Tank, has publicly praised the figures.
Why it matters
NIN errors have stopped many candidates from registering or accepting admission. If you are writing the 2027 UTME, make sure the name and date of birth on your NIN match your school records now, before registration opens. Our guide to university admission, JAMB cut-offs and CAPS covers the next steps.
Source: AcadaExtra; Leadership; Blueprint.
5. UK study visa applications hit a three-year low
What happened
New Home Office figures show 5,800 main applications for UK sponsored study visas in October 2026, down 31% from 8,400 a year earlier and 44% below October 2023. Over the 12 months to October, applications fell 20% to about 349,900, and dependant applications dropped 32%. A separate global survey of 437 universities by Studyportals, NAFSA and Oxford Test of English, reported by Reuters on Thursday, found international undergraduate enrolments fell 19% in the UK and 13% in the US, with students turning to Asia and continental Europe. UK universities now face stricter sponsor rules that require low visa refusal rates. The Graduate Route had been due to shrink to 18 months from January 2027, but the latest Budget outlined plans to keep two years for graduates of universities that meet compliance standards; the details are not final.
Why it matters
Nigeria is one of the UK’s largest sources of students. Fewer applicants can mean more competition from universities for strong candidates, but tighter sponsor rules may make some institutions more cautious about applicants from countries with higher refusal rates. Check our UK Graduate Route guide before you commit to a course.
Source: Reuters; Education Post.
What to watch next
- Midnight tonight: ASUU’s indefinite strike at Zamfara State University is due to begin unless arrears are settled.
- Imo State University: whether the state government moves to end the lecturers’ strike.
- Coming weeks: final criteria for the two-year UK Graduate Route and JAMB’s 2027 UTME registration dates.
- 22 January 2027: WAEC online registration for school candidates closes.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the NELFUND upkeep allowance?
Eligible students receive ₦20,000 a month for upkeep, in addition to fees paid directly to their institution. The loan is interest-free and repaid after employment.
Do international school students now have to write WAEC?
From the 2027 academic year, they must sit at least one approved Nigerian exam: WAEC, NECO, NABTEB or NBAIS. They can still take international exams alongside it.
When is the 2027 UTME?
The government’s proposed harmonised calendar puts it between 15 and 25 March 2027. JAMB will confirm final dates when registration opens.
This roundup summarises reporting by the outlets credited under each story, in our own words. Follow Naijatipsland Updates on WhatsApp for the next edition. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it under our editorial policy.
