FG proposes 12-year basic education system to replace 9-3-4 model

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has proposed a shift to a 12-year basic education system in Nigeria.

Alausa presented this proposal on Thursday during the 2025 Extraordinary National Council of Education meeting in Abuja, the country’s highest education policy-making body.

Currently, Nigeria operates a 9-3-4 system, which consists of nine years of basic education, three years of senior secondary education, and four years of tertiary education.

However, Alausa emphasized the need for change, highlighting that while the 9-3-4 system has its benefits, it also presents challenges, such as the financial burden on students pursuing higher education.

He suggested transitioning to a 12-4 system, aligning Nigeria with global standards and ensuring a more continuous and uninterrupted curriculum.

This model, he argued, would promote better standardization and quality assurance in the education system, leading to improved educational outcomes and a stronger, more educated workforce that would contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.

Alausa also highlighted the importance of technical education in addressing the skills gap in the labor market. He proposed converting federal science and technical colleges into federal technical colleges to provide practical, applied skills alongside scientific knowledge, fostering national development and industrial progress.

Additionally, the council discussed revising the 16-year policy on admission to tertiary institutions, with Alausa expressing concern about the current delay in allowing exceptionally gifted students to attend university. He noted that by preventing students from enrolling at 16 and making them wait until 18, Nigeria risks stifling their development and exacerbating mental health issues.