Nigeria’s Education Minister Proposes 12-Year Basic Education System, Calls for Reform

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has proposed a significant overhaul of the country’s education structure, advocating for a transition from the current 9-3-4 system to a 12-4 model.

The proposal, made during the 2025 Extraordinary National Council of Education (NCE) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, aims to bring Nigeria’s education system in line with global standards.

Addressing the NCE, the highest policymaking body in Nigeria’s education sector, Alausa emphasized the importance of adopting a 12-year basic education system. He argued that the current 9-3-4 system, while having certain benefits, has notable drawbacks, including the challenge many students face in continuing their education due to financial constraints.

“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 explained. “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.”

Alausa highlighted several key benefits of the proposed 12-year basic education model, stressing its potential to offer a more structured and continuous learning experience.

“A 12-year basic education model will ensure a continuous, uninterrupted curriculum, promoting better standardization and fostering quality assurance in the education system,” Alausa stated. “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’s proposal aligns with global best practices, aiming to enhance the quality of education and help students achieve better educational outcomes that could prepare them for success in a fast-evolving global economy.

In addition to the 12-year education proposal, Alausa also brought attention to the current policy requiring students to be at least 16 years old before they can gain admission to tertiary institutions. He expressed concern over the negative impact this policy has on exceptionally gifted students, who often complete their secondary education at a younger age.

“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 noted. “In any society, it is crucial to standardize 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.”

Alausa called for a reconsideration of this policy, suggesting that it may be holding back gifted students who are eager to continue their education at a faster pace.

Alausa also emphasized the importance of technical education in addressing the skills gap in Nigeria’s labor market. He revealed plans to convert federal science and technical colleges into federal technical colleges (FTCs), noting that technical education is critical for developing practical skills that contribute to national growth.

“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.”

This initiative, he added, is vital for equipping young Nigerians with the skills needed to meet the demands of an increasingly complex job market, thereby helping to reduce unemployment and poverty rates.

The NCE meeting brought together key stakeholders, including commissioners for education from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), heads of educational agencies, and international organizations. Alausa’s proposals are set to spark further debates on how to best reform Nigeria’s education system to ensure that it remains competitive and adaptable to global trends.