Education Minister Proposes Replacing 6-3-3-4 System with 12-4 Model

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has revealed plans to replace the country’s current 6-3-3-4 education system with a new 12-year uninterrupted basic education model. The announcement was made during the 2025 Extraordinary National Council on Education (NCE) meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

Under the proposed system, the country will abolish the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) levels, incorporating them into the basic education cycle. This means students would undergo continuous education until the age of 16, without the usual interruptions that currently separate primary and secondary education.

Dr. Alausa explained that the new model is designed to facilitate smoother transitions for students while aligning Nigeria’s education system with global best practices. The reform aims to reduce dropout rates by addressing financial and systemic challenges that currently hinder many students from completing their education.

The minister also proposed that the minimum age for admission into Nigerian universities be raised to 16, in line with international norms.

The National Council on Education (NCE), the highest policy-making body in Nigeria’s education sector, will now review the proposal. If approved, this significant shift in policy could have far-reaching effects on the nation’s education system, creating a more accessible and streamlined path for students across the country.

This move is part of the government’s broader efforts to modernise education and address long-standing challenges in the sector.