The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has advocated for a shift from Nigeria’s current 9-3-4 education system to a 12-4 model, emphasizing the need for a more structured and globally competitive framework.
Speaking at the 2025 Extraordinary National Council of Education meeting in Abuja on Thursday, Alausa argued that a 12-year basic education system would enhance curriculum continuity, improve learning outcomes, and better prepare students for tertiary education.
“A 12-year basic education model will ensure an uninterrupted curriculum, promote better standardization, and foster quality assurance in the education system,” he said.
The minister also highlighted plans to convert federal science and technical colleges into federal technical colleges to address skill gaps in the labor market.
Additionally, the Council is set to deliberate on policies regarding the minimum age for tertiary education, seeking to prevent delays in university admission for highly talented students.
Nigeria currently operates a 9-3-4 system, which includes nine years of basic education, three years of senior secondary education, and four years of tertiary education.
