The federal government is pushing for a major overhaul of Nigeria’s education system by scrapping junior and senior secondary schools and replacing them with a 12-year uninterrupted basic education model.
Minister of State for Education, Tunji Alausa, made this proposal on Thursday at the 2025 Extraordinary Meeting of the National Council on Education (NCE) in Abuja.
The meeting was attended by education commissioners from the 36 states, FCT representatives, MDAs, and development partners.
Alausa explained that replacing the current 6-3-3-4 system with a 12-4 model would align Nigeria’s education structure with global standards.
Currently, Nigeria operates a 6-3-3-4 system, where children start primary school at six, complete secondary school in six years, and graduate at 18.
Under the proposed model, secondary education would be merged with primary schooling, ensuring a continuous learning phase until students reach 16.
“The government is seeking approval from the NCE to set 16 years as the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions,” Alausa said.
He stated that integrating secondary education into basic schooling would eliminate financial and systemic barriers, reducing dropout rates while providing early vocational training to prepare students for higher education and employment.
Alausa also noted that if adopted, the policy could drive economic and social development by equipping young people with relevant skills and reducing child labor.
He outlined key strategies for implementing the model, including policy reforms, infrastructure expansion, teacher training, and curriculum development.
