The Federal Government is considering the adoption of a 12-year basic education model as a replacement for the current secondary school system, a move aimed at aligning Nigeria’s education sector with global standards.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, disclosed this on Thursday at the 2025 extraordinary meeting of the National Council on Education (NCE) in Abuja. The meeting, attended by commissioners for education from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), along with representatives of ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), and development partners, served as a platform to deliberate on the proposed reform.
Rationale Behind the Policy Shift
Nigeria currently operates the 6-3-3-4 education model, in which children enroll in primary school at age six, spend six years in primary education, three years in junior secondary school, three years in senior secondary school, and four years in tertiary education. However, Alausa argued that transitioning to a 12-4 system—where students undergo 12 uninterrupted years of basic education before proceeding to tertiary institutions—will improve learning outcomes and reduce school dropouts.
According to the minister, the government is also seeking approval from the NCE to set 16 years as the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions. He explained that by incorporating secondary education into the basic education system, students would benefit from continuous learning without the disruptions often associated with transitioning between different levels of schooling.
Expected Benefits of the 12-Year Model
Alausa emphasized that the proposed reform would address key challenges in Nigeria’s education system, including high dropout rates, financial constraints, and limited access to quality education.
“The introduction of a 12-year basic education model will eliminate systemic barriers that hinder students from completing their education. It will provide a standardized curriculum, introduce vocational training at an early stage, and equip students with the necessary skills for higher education and employment,” he stated.
Furthermore, the policy is expected to contribute to national economic and social development by reducing child labor and ensuring that young people are better prepared for the workforce.
Implementation Strategies and Next Steps
To actualize the reform, the minister outlined several key strategies, including policy adjustments, infrastructure expansion, teacher training, and curriculum development. These measures, he said, would be critical to ensuring a smooth transition from the existing education model to the proposed system.
While the policy is still under review, education stakeholders have expressed mixed reactions, with some lauding the initiative as a necessary step toward improving Nigeria’s education sector, while others have raised concerns about implementation challenges.
As deliberations continue, the government is expected to engage further with policymakers, educators, and the public to refine the proposal before making a final decision on its adoption.
