The Federal Government has announced the abolition of Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) in Nigeria, replacing the existing 6-3-3-4 system with a new 12-4 education model. This reform ensures that Nigerian students will undergo 12 years of uninterrupted basic education before proceeding to higher education.
As part of this overhaul, the government has also proposed 16 years as the minimum age for entry into tertiary institutions, pending approval from the National Council on Education (NCE), the highest policy-making body in the education sector.
Speaking at the 2025 Extraordinary NCE Meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, explained that integrating secondary education into basic education will offer students a seamless learning experience up to age 16, aligning with global best practices. He noted that this reform would help reduce dropout rates by removing financial and systemic obstacles that currently hinder students from completing their education.
Alausa further stated that the policy would standardize curricula across the country while ensuring early exposure to vocational and entrepreneurial skills, equipping students with practical knowledge before transitioning to higher education or employment. He emphasized that the move would enhance Nigeria’s global educational competitiveness, ensuring that students acquire a strong foundational education before specializing at tertiary institutions.
Beyond academics, the government believes the reform will have significant economic and social benefits, as educated youth contribute meaningfully to national development. By extending the duration of compulsory education, students will be better prepared to enter the workforce with relevant skills, reducing cases of child labor and other social vices linked to premature school dropouts.
To successfully implement the new system, the government plans to introduce policy reforms, expand infrastructure, recruit and train more teachers, increase funding, and enhance the curriculum to meet the demands of modern education.