The Federal Government has announced plans to eliminate the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) structure in Nigeria.
In its place, a compulsory 12-year uninterrupted basic education system will be introduced, after which students will proceed to higher education.
This change will replace the current 6-3-3-4 system with a 12-4 model.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the 2025 Extraordinary National Council on Education meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
He stated that the new system aligns with global best practices and aims to reduce student dropout rates by removing financial and systemic barriers to 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 added.
