By Patrick Idowu
The Federal Government is considering scrapping secondary schools in Nigeria by adopting a 12-year basic education model, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has revealed.
Speaking at the 2025 extraordinary meeting of the National Council on Education (NCE) in Abuja, Alausa proposed replacing the current 6-3-3-4 system with a 12-4 structure to align with global education standards.
Under the existing system, students spend six years in primary and secondary education before progressing to tertiary institutions.
The proposed model would integrate secondary education into basic learning, ensuring uninterrupted schooling until students reach 16—the new minimum entry age for higher education.
Alausa argued that the reform would reduce dropout rates, eliminate financial and systemic barriers, and provide early vocational training to better prepare students for higher education and employment.
The minister outlined key implementation strategies, including policy reforms, infrastructure expansion, teacher training, and curriculum development, emphasizing that the new system could drive economic and social development by equipping young people with essential skills and reducing child labour.
