The Federal Government (FG) has announced the scrapping of all Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) in the country.
Consequently, it introduced a compulsory 12-year uninterrupted basic education model, enabling Nigerian children to aspire to higher education.
With this significant change, the Nigerian Government seeks to abolish the 6-3-3-4 education system.
Instead, it will replace it with the new 12-4 model, enhancing the educational framework.
Furthermore, the government has sought the National Council on Education’s approval to officially set 16 years as the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions in the country.
This decision aims to streamline the education process and improve accessibility.
During the 2025 extraordinary National Council on Education meeting in Abuja, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa revealed these changes.
This meeting serves as a crucial platform for discussing educational policies and reforms.
The Guardian reports that the National Council on Education is the highest policy-making body in the education sector.
Notably, the event attracted education commissioners from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), along with various agencies and development partners.
According to Dr. Alausa, merging secondary education into basic education ensures students benefit from uninterrupted learning until the age of 16.
This strategy aims to enhance the overall educational experience for Nigerian students.
Alausa emphasized that the new policy aligns with global best practices.
He believes this reform will significantly reduce dropout rates by eliminating financial and systemic barriers that hinder students from completing their education.
“By extending basic education to 12 years, we will implement a standardized curriculum uniformly across the nation,” Alausa stated.
This uniformity will enhance educational quality and consistency.
Additionally, this approach will provide early exposure to vocational and entrepreneurial skills, preparing students for higher education and employment opportunities.
Such preparation is crucial in today’s competitive job market.
“Many developed nations have adopted similar systems, where basic education spans 12 years,” Alausa noted.
This ensures that students acquire foundational knowledge before specializing at tertiary levels.
Moreover, this reform aligns Nigeria’s education system with international standards, promoting better educational outcomes and global competitiveness.
The government aims to foster a more skilled and knowledgeable workforce.
Dr. Alausa also highlighted the economic and social impacts of this reform. Educated youth play a vital role in national development, contributing significantly to the country’s growth and prosperity.
When students receive an extended period of compulsory education, they become better equipped to enter the workforce with relevant skills.
This reform also aims to reduce child labor and other social issues stemming from premature school dropouts.
Finally, he outlined several implementation strategies for successfully integrating secondary education into basic education.
These strategies include policy reforms, infrastructure expansion, teacher training and recruitment, funding, partnerships, and curriculum enhancement.
