Nigeria is replacing its education system with a compulsory 12-year uninterrupted basic education model to improve retention, reduce dropouts, and align with global standards.

For decades, Nigeria’s education system has been in flux. Since independence in the 1960s, the country has shifted from the British system to a series of homegrown models, yet the challenges remain strikingly persistent. Schools suffer from crumbling infrastructure, neglect, and inefficient resource management. The result? Nigeria holds the unenviable title of having the world’s highest number of out-of-school children.

“The Nigerian educational system faces a variety of challenges, including infrastructure decay, neglect, wasted resources, and poor services. As a result, the country has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated to be over 10 million,” writes Ismaila Biliaminu Manne.

In 2024, the Nigerian government took a bold step toward reform. Initially, it attempted to set a minimum age of 18 for university admissions, a policy announced by then-Minister of Education Tahir Mamman. The move, meant to standardize higher education entry, was met with immediate backlash and ultimately rescinded due to concerns that it would hinder access rather than enhance the system.

Now, a far more sweeping reform is underway. The government has announced the dissolution of Junior Secondary Schools and Senior Secondary Schools, replacing them with a 12-year uninterrupted basic education model. Under this system, every Nigerian child will receive compulsory education up to 16 before progressing to tertiary institutions. The new Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, unveiled the policy in early February during a National Council on Education meeting in Abuja. The gathering, attended by education commissioners from all 36 states and Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, along with key stakeholders and development partners, marked a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s educational landscape.

The reform effectively abolishes Nigeria’s long-standing 6-3-3-4 education structure—six years of primary school, three years of junior secondary, three years of senior secondary, and four years of university. In its place, the government is advocating for a 12-4 model: 12 uninterrupted years of basic education followed by a minimum of four years in tertiary institutions. According to The Guardian, a daily newspaper, the Ministry of Education has also sought approval from the National Council on Education to raise the minimum entry age for university admission to 16 years. The rationale, officials argue, is to align with global best practices while ensuring that students receive a continuous, structured education before entering university or a technical school.

Dr. Alausa framed the initiative as both an educational and socioeconomic necessity. By eliminating financial and systemic barriers that often lead to dropouts, the government hopes to increase retention rates and equip students with vocational and entrepreneurial skills before they graduate. He explained that extending basic education to 12 years will ensure a standardized curriculum that is implemented uniformly nationwide. The reform is also expected to facilitate early exposure to technical skills, preparing students for higher education and employment. Many developed nations already operate similar systems where students complete a full 12-year educational cycle before specializing in tertiary studies. Proponents argue that by following this path, Nigeria’s students will be better prepared for global competitiveness and integrated into an increasingly knowledge-driven economy.

Beyond academics, the implications of this reform are far-reaching. The government sees long-term economic and social benefits, arguing that keeping students in school longer will reduce child labor, youth unemployment, and crime rates. Educated youth, Alausa emphasized, contribute significantly to national development, and with a longer period of compulsory education, young people will be better equipped for the workforce and less vulnerable to negative social influences.

Reforming an entire educational system is no small task. The Nigerian government has outlined several key strategies to support the transition, including policy reforms to ensure the smooth integration of secondary education into the basic education framework, infrastructure expansion to accommodate the extended schooling period, teacher training and recruitment to improve instructional quality, increased funding and partnerships with private and international stakeholders, and curriculum enhancement to incorporate vocational and technical skills training.

The shift to a 12-year uninterrupted education model signals a major turning point for Nigeria. While the policy has sparked debate, its potential benefits—higher retention rates, reduced dropout numbers, better-prepared graduates, and a more competitive workforce—could redefine the country’s educational future. The real challenge, however, will be execution. Without significant investment in infrastructure, teacher training, and curriculum development, even the most ambitious reforms risk faltering. As Nigeria embarks on this transformative journey, the success of this policy will depend on political will, funding, and the ability to turn vision into reality.