The Federal Government has slammed the door on last-minute admissions into Nigeria’s final year of secondary school, banning the entry or transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in a decisive move to curb examination malpractice.
The sweeping policy, announced by the Federal Ministry of Education on Sunday, will take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session and applies to all public and private secondary schools nationwide.
Under the new rule, schools are restricted to admitting or accepting transfers only into Senior Secondary School One (SS1) or Senior Secondary School Two (SS2), with SS3 expressly excluded. The government said the measure targets the growing abuse of the system by schools and parents seeking unfair advantages during external examinations.
In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the ministry, Boriowo Folasade, officials cited persistent reports of unethical practices, including the proliferation of illegal “special centres” designed to manipulate examination outcomes.
According to the ministry, the policy is intended to halt the trend of students being moved into SS3 shortly before examinations, a practice believed to undermine academic standards and compromise the integrity of national assessments.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the ban forms part of broader reforms aimed at restoring credibility to the secondary education system and ensuring that examination results reflect genuine learning.
“School proprietors, principals and administrators nationwide have been directed to comply fully with the policy,” the statement said, warning that violations would attract sanctions in line with existing education regulations and guidelines.
Education officials added that the reform is designed to safeguard the credibility of national examinations and rebuild public confidence in the assessment process.
The ministry reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to raising academic standards and stamping out manipulation in the education sector, stressing that merit must remain the cornerstone of student assessment.
With the 2026/2027 academic session set as the commencement date, stakeholders have been urged to adjust their admission and transfer practices accordingly, as no waivers or special approvals will be granted for SS3 entry under any circumstances.
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