The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a ground-breaking reform in the country’s education system, scrapping the current 6-3-3-4 model in favour of a compulsory 12-year uninterrupted basic education. Under the new policy, all students will be required to complete twelve years of foundational education, after which they will be eligible to pursue higher education.
The announcement, made on Thursday in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, signals a significant shift in Nigeria’s approach to secondary schooling. Speaking at the 2025 extraordinary National Council on Education (NCE) meeting, Alausa explained that the reform would subsume Junior and Senior Secondary Schools into the broader category of basic education, thereby ensuring that students receive a continuous and cohesive learning experience up to the age of 16.
The NCE, which is the nation’s highest education policy-making body, convened for the meeting with participation from education commissioners across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as various government agencies, parastatals, and development partners.
Dr Alausa emphasised that the new structure aligns with international standards and is designed to reduce dropout rates, noting that financial and systemic barriers often hinder students from completing their secondary education. “By extending the duration of compulsory education to 12 years, we aim to provide a uniformly implemented, high-quality curriculum across the nation,” he said. “This reform will also enable early exposure to vocational and entrepreneurial skills, ensuring that students are prepared for both higher education and the workforce.”
The Minister pointed out that many developed nations already implement similar 12-year systems, which allow students to build a strong foundation before specialising at the tertiary level. He added that the new model would not only foster academic excellence but also contribute significantly to the country’s economic and social development by equipping young people with the skills needed for employment.
Furthermore, the policy aims to reduce child labour and other societal issues linked to early school dropouts. “Educated youth are a powerful catalyst for national progress. By extending the period of compulsory education, we ensure that young Nigerians are better prepared to contribute meaningfully to the workforce,” Alausa said.
In addition to the reform, the government has proposed raising the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions to 16 years, a measure which still requires the approval of the National Council on Education. The education minister also outlined the steps necessary for implementing the changes, which include policy reforms, infrastructure expansion, teacher training, recruitment, and curriculum enhancement, as well as increased funding and strategic partnerships.
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