The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has proposed a transition to a 12-year basic education model in Nigeria, emphasizing its potential to enhance learning outcomes and align the country’s education system with global standards.
Speaking at the 2025 Extraordinary National Council of Education meeting in Abuja on Thursday, Alausa highlighted the need for reform, citing challenges associated with Nigeria’s current 9-3-4 system—which includes nine years of basic education, three years of senior secondary education, and four years of tertiary education.
“It is important to acknowledge that while the 9-3-4 system has its merits, it also has drawbacks, particularly in preparing students for higher education,” Alausa stated. “By transitioning to a 12-4 system, we can ensure a more continuous and uninterrupted curriculum, promote better standardization, and foster quality assurance in our education system.”
He further explained that the proposed model would provide students with a more comprehensive and structured learning experience, improving overall educational outcomes and contributing to a better-equipped workforce capable of driving Nigeria’s economic growth.
Additionally, the minister announced plans to convert federal science and technical colleges into federal technical colleges, emphasizing the critical role of technical education in bridging the skills gap in the labor market.
“The provision of technical education allows a nation’s human and natural resources to be harnessed more effectively,” Alausa noted. “This contributes significantly to national development by fostering cultural and industrial progress.”
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Alausa also addressed concerns regarding the current policy requiring students to be at least 18 years old before entering tertiary institutions. He argued that preventing highly talented and gifted students from advancing earlier could hinder their academic and professional growth.
“In any society, it is crucial to standardize the education of highly functional and exceptionally gifted students,” he stated. “Forcing students who complete secondary education at 16 to wait until they turn 18 for university admission stifles their potential and could lead to mental health challenges.”
The council is now reviewing the 16-year policy on university admissions, considering its incorporation into the national education framework to ensure a more inclusive and flexible approach to tertiary education access.
