Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, announced that the federal government is considering changing Nigeria’s basic education model to a 12-year system. This proposal is being reviewed at a meeting of the Extraordinary National Council on Education in Abuja, the country’s top policy-making body.
Currently, Nigeria’s education system follows a 9-3-4 structure, which includes nine years of basic education, three years of senior secondary education, and four years of tertiary education. Alausa acknowledged that while the 9-3-4 system has its strengths, it also has limitations, especially regarding the challenges students face in accessing further education. He stressed the need to adopt a 12-4 system to better align with global standards and prepare students for higher education.
The proposed 12-year basic education model would provide a continuous and standardized curriculum, which could lead to better educational outcomes and a more educated population, crucial for Nigeria’s economic growth. The meeting will also discuss changing federal science and technical colleges into federal technical colleges.
Additionally, the Council will consider a 16-year policy for admission into tertiary institutions to ensure talented students are not left behind. Alausa raised concerns that requiring students to be 18 before they can enter university could harm their development and mental health.
He pointed out the importance of technical education in closing the skills gap in the job market, which can help a country make better use of its resources and foster cultural and industrial growth.
Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, the Minister of State for Education, reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing existing education policies to improve quality, equity, and human capital development, particularly for women and girls to help break the cycle of poverty. She acknowledged the need for innovative strategies to transform the education system, especially in technical and vocational training, to empower young people as self-sufficient contributors to the nation.
The administration will also focus on providing students with job-relevant skills and promoting mechanized farming at Universities of Agriculture to address food insecurity. The technical and vocational education training (TVET) curriculum will include training in Renewable (Solar) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to prepare young people for future job opportunities in these areas.
Federal Government Pushes for 12-Year Basic Education Reform.
