The Federal Government has announced a sweeping reform in Nigeria’s secondary education system with a nationwide ban on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3). The directive, issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, applies to all public and private secondary schools and is aimed squarely at tackling the persistent problem of examination malpractice.
The announcement was made through an official statement signed by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry. According to the statement, the policy seeks to address “the growing concerns over the increasing incidence of examination malpractice, including the use of so-called special centres during external examinations.”
Under the new rule, no student will be admitted or transferred into SS3 under any circumstances. Student admissions and transfers will now be restricted to SS1 and SS2 only, ensuring that candidates sit for major external examinations like WAEC and NECO in the same schools where they completed the bulk of their senior secondary education.
Why the government took this action
For years, Nigeria’s education system has battled the menace of “special” or “miracle” centres, schools that allegedly enable cheating during high-stakes examinations. These centres often thrive on last-minute transfers of SS3 students seeking unfair advantages.
Boriowo explained that the policy is designed to discourage last-minute movement of students for examination-related gains, noting that such practices “undermine the integrity and credibility of Nigeria’s education system.” She added that keeping students in one school throughout their senior years would allow schools to properly monitor academic progress and ensure continuity in teaching and learning.
The move is also part of broader reforms to restore public trust in Nigerian certificates, which play a critical role in university admissions, employment, and international recognition.
When will it take effect
The ban will officially begin from the 2026/2027 academic session, giving schools, parents, and students roughly a year to prepare. Importantly, current SS3 students are not affected, but schools have been instructed to halt any plans for future SS3 admissions or transfers ahead of the implementation date.
The Ministry has warned that compliance is mandatory. School proprietors, principals, and administrators who violate the directive will face appropriate sanctions under existing education laws. These could range from fines to suspension or even closure of offending institutions. Compliance will be monitored through inspections and collaboration with examination bodies such as WAEC and NECO.
Despite the concerns, the Federal Ministry of Education insists the policy is a necessary step toward safeguarding academic standards. Combined with other initiatives,such as digital exam monitoring and ethics training for teachers, the SS3 admission ban signals a renewed push to make Nigeria’s education system more credible, transparent, and merit-driven.
