The Federal Government has proposed that the Junior and Secondary secondary school (JSS, SSS) model be scrapped in Nigeria.

It has advocated for the introduction of a 12-year basic education model to replace the secondary school model in the country.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, made this known while speaking at the 2025 extraordinary meeting of the National Council on Education (NCE) on Thursday in Abuja.

Alausa stated that phasing out the 6-3-3-4 model and introducing a 12-4 will reform education in Nigeria to align with global standards.

Nigeria operates the 6–3–3–4 education system where a child enrols in school at age six and undergoes six years each of primary and secondary education, at the end of which they are expected to be aged 18, before entering the university to study for at least 4 years.

He maintained that subsuming secondary schools under basic education would provide uninterrupted learning until students turn 16.

The minister further stated that a 12-year basic education system will reduce dropout rates by removing financial and systemic barriers, adding that it will standardise the curriculum and offer early vocational training to prepare students for higher education and employment.

He however noted that the government is seeking approval from the NCE to set 16 years as the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions.