The Federal Government has said it will scrap the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) models in Nigeria.

As a replacement, a compulsory 12-year uninterrupted basic education model will be introduced.

After the 12-year programme, the child will now move into institutions of higher education.With this decision, the Nigerian Government will abolish the 6-3-3-4 education system and replace it with 12-4.

This was revealed by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, during the 2025 extraordinary National Council on Education meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

Alausa insisted that the new policy is in line with global best practices.

According to him, the system will reduce the rates of students dropping out by eliminating 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.