Why Nigeria is Shifting to a 12-Year Basic Education System – FG

The Federal Government has announced its intention to scrap all Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary Schools in the country and introduced a compulsory 12-year uninterrupted basic education model after which a Nigerian child can aspire to higher education.

With this development, the Nigerian Government is seeking the abolition of 6-3-3-4 education system and replacing it with 12-4.

This is even as it has sought the approval of the National Council on Education to officially adopt 16 years as the minimum entry age requirement into the country’s tertiary institutions.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja during the 2025 extraordinary National Council on Education meeting.

The Guardian reports that the NCE is the highest policy-making body in the education sector.

The event was graced by commissioners for education in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), agencies and parastatals under the Ministry, and development partners.

According to the Minister, by subsuming secondary education into basic education, students will benefit from uninterrupted learning up to the age of 16.

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Alausa said the new policy is in line with global best practices. The reform, he stressed, will also reduce dropout rates by eliminating 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 said it will also lead to economic and social impact, adding 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 highlighted the implementation strategies to successfully integrate secondary education into basic education to include: policy reforms, infrastructure expansion, teacher training and recruitment, funding and partnerships, curriculum enhancement

According to the minister, the proposed system would extend Nigeria’s compulsory basic education from nine to 12 years.

He noted that past educational structures produced students with stronger foundational knowledge, which is why the government is reviewing the current system.

“That means we’re just training people that have no clue, that need training. We have nine years now, but we’re proposing to increase it to 12 years of compulsory education,” Alausa stated.

He further argued that a 12-year model would align Nigeria with global education standards, ensuring better preparation for tertiary studies.

“A continuous curriculum promotes better standardisation, quality assurance, and improved educational outcomes,” he said.

Additionally, Alausa highlighted concerns about talented students being delayed from entering universities due to age restrictions.

“Bright students completing secondary school at 16 are forced to wait until they turn 18. This delays their development and could worsen mental health issues,” he warned.

Despite the ongoing deliberations, Alausa assured that no changes would take effect before the last quarter of 2025.