The Nigerian government has introduced a major overhaul of the country’s education system, scrapping the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) levels.
This decision comes as part of a broader reform aimed at providing a continuous 12-year basic education to every child before they proceed to higher education in order to address long-standing issues such as inconsistent learning structures, high dropout rates, and inadequate preparation for tertiary education.
Under the new model, the traditional 6-3-3-4 system will be replaced with a 12-4 structure, ensuring that students complete their foundational education uninterrupted until the age of 16. The Federal Government has also proposed setting 16 years as the minimum age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions, a policy currently awaiting approval from the National Council on Education (NCE).
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the reform during the 2025 extraordinary NCE meeting in Abuja. The meeting, attended by state education commissioners, officials from the Federal Capital Territory, and key stakeholders in the education sector, emphasized the importance of aligning Nigeria’s education system with global best practices.
Alausa stated that extending basic education to 12 years would create a more standardized learning experience, eliminating financial and systemic obstacles that often force students to drop out before completing secondary education. The reform also aims to equip students with vocational and entrepreneurial skills early, ensuring they are prepared for both higher education and employment opportunities.
Many developed nations, the minister noted, have already implemented similar models, allowing students to acquire comprehensive foundational knowledge before choosing specialized fields at the tertiary level. By aligning with international standards, Nigeria hopes to improve educational outcomes, enhance global competitiveness, and foster a more skilled workforce.
Beyond academics, the government expects the policy to have significant economic and social benefits. A longer period of compulsory education will reduce child labor, curb social vices, and produce a generation better equipped to contribute to national development.
To ensure smooth implementation, the government has outlined key strategies, including policy reforms, infrastructure expansion, teacher recruitment and training, increased funding, and curriculum enhancements. These measures aim to support the transition to a 12-year basic education system while ensuring that students receive quality learning experiences across the country.
