The Federal Government has barred all public and private secondary schools from admitting or transferring students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3), citing rising cases of examination malpractice across the country.
The directive was disclosed in a press release issued by the Federal Ministry of Education on Sunday and posted on the ministry’s official Facebook page.
The ministry said the decision was taken amid concerns over practices such as the operation of so-called special centres during external examinations, which it noted have continued to weaken the credibility of Nigeria’s school system.
Under the new policy, which takes effect from the 2026/2027 academic session, student admissions and transfers will only be allowed into Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2). Entry into SS3 has been completely ruled out.
The ministry stated that the restriction is designed to curb the last-minute movement of candidates in search of examination advantages, improve academic supervision, and ensure steady teaching and learning progression.
School owners, principals and administrators across the country have been instructed to comply with the directive, warning that violations will attract sanctions under existing education rules and guidelines.
The Federal Ministry of Education said the move reflects the Federal Government’s resolve to uphold academic standards, promote fairness, and rebuild public confidence in national examinations.
