The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, only proposed the introduction of a 12-year basic education system, and there has been no immediate policy change.
In response to widespread media reports suggesting that the Junior and Senior Secondary School (JSS and SSS) system would be scrapped, the ministry issued a statement emphasising that the proposal was still under review.
The statement, issued by the Director of Press at the Ministry, Folasade Boriowo, confirmed that no immediate changes would be implemented.
“At the Extraordinary National Council on Education Meeting held on 6 February 2025 in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, presented a proposal for discussion — not an immediate policy change. The proposal seeks to transition to 12 years of compulsory education while retaining the current 6-3-3 structure,” the statement explained.
A key feature of the proposal is the elimination of the examination barrier between the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) stages.
Under this plan, students would progress through the education system without the need for external assessments between these stages, creating a more seamless transition.
However, the ministry clarified that the proposal was still subject to further consultations and deliberations.
Over the next eight months, the ministry will engage with stakeholders, including education policymakers, state governments, teachers, parents, and other key parties. The final decision on whether to implement the reform will be made at the National Council on Education meeting in October 2025.
“The ministry urges the public to disregard false claims that JSS and SSS have been scrapped. The Federal Government remains committed to policies that enhance access to quality education while aligning with global best practices,” the statement concluded.
The clarification comes amid growing public attention and speculation over the future of Nigeria’s educational system.
