The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has proposed a transition to a 12-year basic education system in Nigeria using a 12-4 structure.
The current structure is 9-3-4.
The minister made the proposal on Thursday while speaking at the 2025 Extraordinary National Council of Education, NCE, meeting held in Abuja.
The NCE which is the highest policymaking body in Nigeria’s education sector convened to discuss key issues, including the proposed 12-year model and the approval of a national policy on bullying.
Alausa stated that the proposal for a new structure was necessary to meet global standard.
His words: “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.
“It is therefore prudent to transition from the 9-3-4 to the 12-4 system of education. By doing so, Nigeria will align with global standards in preparing students for better tertiary education.”
He explained that the new model being proposed would guarantee a continuous, uninterrupted curriculum, promoting better standardisation and fostering quality assurance in the education system.
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“It will also 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,” the minister said.
Alausa also spoke on the 16-year tertiary admission policy.
Said he: “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.
“In any society, it is crucial to standardise the education of highly functional and exceptionally gifted students.
“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.”
Speaking on strengthening technical education, the minister emphasized the plan by the government to convert federal science and technical colleges into federal technical colleges.
He said the “provision of technical education allows a nation’s human and natural resources to be harnessed more effectively.
“Therefore, technical education contributes significantly to national development, driving cultural and industrial progress.”
