In a move to align Nigeria’s education system with global standards, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has proposed a transition to a 12-year basic education structure, replacing the current 9-3-4 model with a 12-4 system.

The proposal was announced at the 2025 Extraordinary National Council of Education (NCE) meeting in Abuja, where key stakeholders convened to deliberate on pressing educational reforms. The NCE, Nigeria’s highest policymaking body in the sector, also approved a national policy on bullying while reviewing policies affecting student progression and technical education.

Dr. Alausa acknowledged that while the existing 9-3-4 system—which comprises nine years of basic education, three years of senior secondary school, and four years of tertiary education—has its advantages, it also presents challenges, particularly for students struggling to further their education due to financial constraints or knowledge gaps.

“It is important to acknowledge that while the 9-3-4 system of education has its merits, it also has drawbacks, such as the need for students to work in order to further their education,” Alausa stated.

The minister argued that a 12-year uninterrupted basic education system would provide a more structured learning experience and better prepare students for tertiary education.

“A 12-year basic education model will ensure a continuous, uninterrupted curriculum, promoting better standardization and fostering quality assurance in the education system,” he explained.

“This will guarantee that students receive a more comprehensive and continuous learning experience, improve educational outcomes, and contribute to a more educated populace that drives Nigeria’s economic development.”

Announcement Faces Backlash from Nigerians

Although the government argues that the proposed reform would improve learning outcomes, the announcement has not been well-received by many Nigerians. It is believed that this change does nothing to address the fundamental problems plaguing the country’s education sector, including inadequate funding, dilapidated infrastructure, poor teacher welfare, and low student performance.

Social media and public forums have been flooded with reactions, with many Nigerians questioning the government’s priorities. They argue that rather than restructuring the number of years in school, authorities should focus on fixing the quality of education, improving teachers’ salaries, and ensuring that public schools have basic facilities such as classrooms, libraries, and laboratories.

“How will this improve the current educational system we have in Nigeria? How will this system improve the quality of classroom and learning centers we have in Nigeria? How will it improve the quality of teacher we have?” one commentator wrote on X.

Many Nigerians also pointed out that the country has a serious out-of-school children crisis, with UNICEF estimating that over 20 million children are not enrolled in formal education. They argue that introducing a 12-year basic education system does little to address this problem.

Others noted that the quality of education in Nigeria continues to decline due to a lack of investment in teacher training and the absence of modern learning tools. Many public schools, particularly in rural areas, lack electricity, running water, and even toilets, making learning conditions unbearable.

Debate Over 16-Year Age Requirement for Tertiary Admission

Another key issue raised at the NCE meeting was the requirement that students must be at least 16 years old before gaining admission into tertiary institutions. Alausa expressed concerns that this policy inadvertently disadvantages exceptionally gifted students who complete secondary school early but are unable to proceed to university.

“I am sure many of you have heard about the challenges we face as a nation with talented, bright students being disenfranchised from pursuing tertiary education,” he said.

“We are now preventing these students, after finishing secondary education at the age of 16, from attending university until they are 18. This delays their development and harms their futures. These students are capable and brave. If we leave them idle, we risk exacerbating mental health issues.”

Strengthening Technical Education

Beyond the structural changes to basic education, Alausa also outlined the government’s plan to strengthen technical education in Nigeria. The minister announced that federal science and technical colleges will be converted into federal technical colleges to better equip students with practical skills suited for the labor market.

“The provision of technical education allows a nation’s human and natural resources to be harnessed more effectively,” Alausa said.

“Therefore, technical education contributes significantly to national development, driving cultural and industrial progress.”

Although this proposal was better received than the basic education restructuring, many Nigerians remain skeptical, arguing that the government has made similar promises in the past without meaningful implementation.

While Alausa’s proposals present a vision for a more structured and inclusive education system, their implementation will require careful planning, policy adjustments, and significant investment in infrastructure and teaching personnel.

With public skepticism growing, the government faces the challenge of convincing Nigerians that these changes will lead to tangible improvements in the education sector.