The Federal Government has announced a nationwide ban on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in both public and private secondary schools across Nigeria.
The directive was issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and made public in a statement on Sunday, signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo.
Reason for the New Policy
According to the ministry, the decision follows growing concerns over widespread examination malpractice, particularly the use of so-called “special centres” during external examinations such as WAEC and NECO.
The statement noted that these practices pose a serious threat to the integrity and credibility of Nigeria’s education system.
“The increasing incidence of examination malpractice, including the use of special centres during external examinations, undermines the integrity of our education system,” the ministry said.
Effective Date and Scope
The ban will take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session.
Under the new policy:
Admissions and transfers will only be allowed into SS1 and SS2
Admission or transfer into SS3 is prohibited under all circumstances
The ministry stressed that the rule applies to all secondary schools nationwide, regardless of ownership.
“Admission or transfer into SS3 will no longer be permitted under any circumstance,” the statement emphasised.
Implications for Schools and Parents
Education stakeholders are expected to adjust admission processes accordingly, while school administrators have been warned to strictly comply with the directive.
The Federal Government said the move is part of broader efforts to restore discipline, fairness, and credibility to Nigeria’s examination system.
Further guidelines are expected to be issued to state education authorities and school proprietors ahead of the implementation date.
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