The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to eliminate the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) models in the country.
Instead, a new compulsory 12-year basic education program will be implemented, allowing students to seamlessly transition into higher education institutions upon completion.
The current 6-3-3-4 education system will be replaced by the new 12-4 model, as confirmed by Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the 2025 extraordinary National Council on Education meeting in Abuja.
Alausa emphasized that this decision aligns with international education standards and aims to prevent student dropouts by removing financial and systemic barriers.
“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 added.