By Vincent Ufuoma
The Nigerian government has recently proposed a sweeping education reform that seeks the abolition of the Junior and Senior Secondary School (JSS & SSS) structure and the introduction of a 12-year compulsory basic education system. While this policy shift aims to improve access to education, many experts argue that Nigeria’s education crisis extends far beyond structural reforms. The real question is: Will this new policy address the deeper systemic issues plaguing the country’s public schools—poor infrastructure, low teacher quality, and chronic underfunding?
The State of Nigeria’s Public Education
Nigeria has long grappled with a struggling public education system characterised by overcrowded classrooms, unqualified teachers, and low student performance. According to UNESCO (2022), about 20 million children in Nigeria are out of school, the highest figure in the world. World Bank data (2023) shows that 70% of Nigerian children cannot read and understand a simple sentence by age 10. Nigeria ranks 124th globally and 25th in Africa in education quality, far behind some of its West African counterparts, highlighting the urgent need for reform. Within West Africa, Nigeria ranks below Ghana and Cape Verde, indicating that while it remains a dominant regional power, its education sector lags behind compared to its neighbours.
Past education reforms, including the 6-3-3-4 system, have failed to solve these systemic problems. The 2022-2023 Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) National Personnel Audit report highlights a shortage of 194,876 teachers in public primary schools across the country, with only 499,202 out of the 694,078 required teachers available. This shortage, coupled with an alarming teacher-to-student ratio, particularly in the North-East at 1:124 instead of the national policy recommendation of 1:35, exacerbates learning deficiencies and teacher frustration. With an education budget below 8% of total government spending, far short of the UNESCO-recommended 15-20%, experts question whether the government’s proposed reform will address these deep-rooted problems.
The 12-Year Basic Education Policy: Goals and Challenges
Nigerian Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who made this announcement at the 2025 Extraordinary National Council of Education meeting in Abuja, argues that eliminating JSS and SSS will reduce dropout rates by ensuring an uninterrupted 12-year compulsory education for all children. He notes that the new policy also aims to standardise learning nationwide, reducing disparities across states and aligning Nigeria’s education model with global standards, such as Finland’s 9-year basic education and the UK’s 11-year system. Another major objective is to delay tertiary education entry to 16 years, reducing underage admissions.
However, experts caution that a mere restructuring of school years does not automatically translate into better education outcomes. The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) criticises the proposal as a superficial change that fails to address core issues. It argues that the initiative represents a misallocation of priorities, given the pressing challenges undermining the quality and accessibility of education in Nigeria.
Experts’ Solutions: What Nigeria Needs Beyond Structural Reform
For the new policy to truly improve public education, several education experts argue that it must be backed by substantial investment in teacher training, infrastructure development, and curriculum modernisation.
Professor Adeyemi Oladipo from the Faculty of Education at the University of Ibadan (UI) acknowledges the intent behind the reform but warns that without investment in teacher education, merely increasing the duration of basic education will not enhance learning outcomes. He explains, “We must ensure that teachers are equipped with modern pedagogical skills to deliver quality instruction. The government must prioritise continuous professional development and better remuneration for educators.”
Dr Funmilayo Adebayo, an education policy researcher at Ekiti State University (EKSU), highlights that funding remains the primary determinant of success in any education reform. According to her, “Many public schools are in a state of disrepair, lacking basic facilities. For this reform to be effective, significant budgetary allocations must be made to improve school infrastructure, provide learning materials, and incentivise teachers.”
Dr Adebayo also stresses the importance of curriculum modernisation, stating that “A 12-year basic education model should include digital literacy, entrepreneurial training, and vocational studies to ensure students are prepared for either higher education or employment.” This sentiment aligns with global education standards, where nations with strong vocational training systems produce graduates who are more employable and adaptable to industry needs.
Lessons from Countries That Have Successfully Reformed Their Education Systems
Ghana, ranked 104th globally and 12th in Africa, and 2nd in West Africa for education quality, has improved literacy rates by expanding teacher training initiatives, providing free meals and textbooks, and enhancing vocational and technical education to improve employment outcomes. Similarly, Cape Verde, ranked 98th globally and 8th in Africa, and 1st in West Africa, has significantly improved education outcomes by allocating over 20% of its national budget to education, investing in bilingual education, and strengthening school infrastructure and teacher training programmes.
Both countries demonstrate that real education reform goes beyond restructuring school years. Their success stems from consistent investments in teacher training, infrastructure, and curriculum enhancements.
