The Federal Government has announced the discontinuation of all Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary Schools in the country, replacing them with a compulsory 12-year uninterrupted basic education model, after which a Nigerian child can pursue higher education.
This move signifies the Nigerian Government’s effort to abolish the 6-3-3-4 education system in favor of a 12-4 model.
Additionally, the Government has requested the approval of the National Council on Education to formally adopt 16 years as the minimum entry age for the country’s tertiary institutions.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the 2025 extraordinary National Council on Education meeting.
The NCE is the highest policy-making body in the education sector.
The event was attended by commissioners for education in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), agencies, and parastatals under the Ministry, along with development partners.
According to the Minister, by integrating secondary education into basic education, students will benefit from continuous learning until the age of 16.
Alausa explained that the new policy aligns with global best practices.
The reform, he emphasized, will also lower dropout rates by removing financial and systemic barriers that currently prevent students from completing secondary education.
“Extending basic education to 12 years will ensure a standardized curriculum that is uniformly implemented across the nation,” Alausa said.
“This will also facilitate early exposure to vocational and entrepreneurial skills, preparing students for both higher education and employment.
“Many developed nations have implemented similar systems where basic education spans 12 years, ensuring that students acquire foundational knowledge before specializing at tertiary levels.
“This reform also aligns Nigeria’s education system with international standards, fostering better educational outcomes and global competitiveness.”
He stated that the reform will also bring about economic and social benefits, noting that “Educated youth contribute significantly to national development.
“When students receive an extended period of compulsory education, they are better equipped to join the workforce with relevant skills. This reform will also reduce child labor and other social vices resulting from premature school dropouts.”
He outlined the implementation strategies to effectively integrate secondary education into basic education, which include: policy reforms, infrastructure expansion, teacher training and recruitment, funding, partnerships, and curriculum enhancement.