The Federal Government has announced the abolition of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and Senior Secondary Schools (SSS), replacing them with a mandatory 12-year uninterrupted basic education system, signifying a significant shake-up of Nigeria’s educational framework.
The new model, designed to ensure every child in Nigeria completes basic education by the age of 16, represents a shift away from the current 6-3-3-4 structure to a more streamlined 12-4 system.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, announced at the 2025 extraordinary National Council on Education (NCE) meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
The NCE, which is Nigeria’s highest policy-making body for education, convened with key stakeholders, including commissioners of education from all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as representatives from education agencies and international development partners.
Alausa explained that this reform, which combines secondary education with basic education, is aimed at reducing dropout rates and overcoming barriers like financial challenges that currently prevent many students from completing their education.
He added that by expanding the duration of basic education to 12 years, the Nigerian government hopes to create a standardized curriculum that ensures all students, regardless of their background, have the same foundational knowledge.
“The new system is in line with global best practices,” Alausa noted, stressing that many developed countries have adopted similar models.
“This will prepare students for both higher education and the workforce by integrating vocational and entrepreneurial skills early on, the minister said
He expressed optimism that the reform would improve overall educational outcomes, reduce social issues such as child labor caused by early school dropouts, and better equip Nigeria’s youth to contribute to national development.
Alausa also disclosed that the government is seeking approval from the National Council on Education to set the minimum age for entry into tertiary institutions at 16.
To implement these changes, Alausa emphasized the importance of policy reforms, infrastructure improvements, teacher training, funding, and stronger partnerships.
Education experts expressed the hope that the overhaul of Nigeria’s educational system is a crucial step toward fostering global competitiveness and equipping future generations with the skills they need to thrive in an evolving global economy.
(Agency Report)
