Education in Nigeria is overseen by the Federal Ministry of Education. Responsibility for education is shared among the federal, state, and local governments. The education system is divided into kindergarten, primary education, secondary education, and tertiary education. Nigeria has national education policies, but their implementation varies significantly across states due to regional, economic, and administrative differences. Regional differences in quality, curriculum, and funding characterize the education system in Nigeria. Nigeria has one of the world's largest populations of out-of-school children. The educational systems in Nigeria are divided into two: the public system, where Students in public schools may pay PTA levies and other school-related charges, depending on the state and school, and the more costly private system, where students pay school fees and some other fees like sports, exam fees, computer fees, etc.
Education in Nigerian schools takes place in English. On November 30, 2022, the education minister Adamu Adamu announced a government plan to abolish English-language instruction in primary schools in favour of Nigeria's local languages.
Research and evidence A 2024 systematic review synthesised studies on artificial intelligence in open and distance learning (ODL), reporting mixed effects on student performance and noting methodological gaps. An open-access 2024 study proposed a multilayered framework for predicting academic performance in ODL contexts and discussed model evaluation approaches.
Primary education
Primary education begins at around age 5 for the majority of Nigerians. Students spend six years in primary school and graduate with a first school-leaving certificate. Subjects taught at the primary level include Mathematics, English language, Christian Religious Knowledge/Islamic Knowledge, Agricultural science, Home economics and one of the three main indigenous languages and cultures: Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo. Private schools also offer Computer Science, French, and Fine Arts. Primary school pupils are required to take a Common Entrance Examination to qualify for admission to Federal and State Government Secondary schools, as well as Private schools.
Before 1976, education policy was still largely shaped by the colonial policy of the British Colonial Period. In 1976, the Universal Primary Education program was established. This program faced many difficulties and was subsequently revised in 1981 and 1990. The Universal Basic Education (UBE) was formed in 1999. It replaced the Universal Primary Education and was intended to enhance the success of the first nine years of schooling. The UBE involves 6 years of Primary School education and 3 years of Junior Secondary School education, culminating in 9 years of uninterrupted schooling, and transition from one class to another is automatic but determined through continuous assessment. This scheme is monitored by the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, and has made it "free", "" and a "right" of every child. Therefore, the "UBEC" law, section 15, defines UBE as early childhood care and education. The law says a 9-year formal schooling, adult literacy and non-formal education, skill acquisition programs, and the education of special groups such as nomads and migrants, girl child and women, Al-majiri, out of school and disabled people (Aderinoye, 2007). "Nigeria Education Profile" . U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
Secondary education Secondary school is a link between the primary and tertiary levels of education. It is the form of education children receive after primary education and before the tertiary stage (Solomon, 2015). Before 1982, students spent a total of five years in secondary school. After the "6-3-3-4" system was introduced, students spend six years in Secondary School divided into 3 years of JSS (Junior Secondary School), and 3 years of SSS (Senior Secondary School). During the 3 years of Junior Secondary School education, students are to take subjects such as Mathematics, English, Social Studies, cultural and creative arts, basic science and technology, pre-vocational studies, French, business education, Home Economics, Computer Studies or Fine arts. The Senior Secondary curriculum is based on 4 core subjects completed by 4 or 5 elective subjects. Core subjects are: English; mathematics; Economics; Civic Education; one or more electives out of Biology, Chemistry, Physics for science class; one or more electives out of English literature, History, Geography, Agricultural science or a vocational subject which includes: Book Keeping, Commerce, Food and Nutrition, Technical Drawing amongst other 17 subjects.
After the BECE, students can also join a technical college. The curriculum for these also lasts 3 years and leads to a trade/craftsmanship certificate.
Federal-sponsored secondary schools The Federal Republic of Nigeria comprises 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, with 2-3 Federal Government Colleges in each state. Most are boarding schools, with some admitting girls only. Also referred to as "unity schools," these schools are funded and managed directly by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Education. There are also Command Schools run by the Nigerian Army and other military schools run by the Air Force and Navy. These schools are supposed to be model schools that carry forward and uphold the ideals of secondary education for Nigerian students. Admission is based on merit, as determined by the National Common Entrance Examination taken by all final-year elementary school pupils. Tuition and fees are relatively low as compared to private schools, approximately twenty-five thousand naira because partial funding comes from the Federal Government. The Federal schools generally have good reputations and tend to be viewed as elite owing to their admissions being based on annual national merit exams.
Teacher qualifications at federal schools Teachers who want to teach in Nigerian schools must have either a National Certificate in Education, a bachelor's degree in education, or a bachelor's degree in a subject field combined with a postgraduate diploma in education.
State-sponsored secondary schools State-owned secondary schools are funded by the respective state government and are not comparable to Federal government colleges. Although, education is supposed to be free in the majority of the state-owned institutions, students are required to purchase books, uniforms and pay for miscellaneous things costing them an average of fifty thousand naira in one academic year. Some state-owned secondary schools were once regarded as elite colleges because of the historically high educational standard and alums who have become prominent citizens and successful in various careers. However, the ranking of these institutions has since declined for myriad reasons, including budget constraints and the emergence of privately owned institutions that compete for staff and students.
Teacher qualifications at state schools Teachers in state-owned institutions usually have a National Certificate of Education or a bachelor's degree, but this is not always the case and varies widely between regions, states, and even local areas for reasons which include availability of qualified teachers willing to work in certain areas as well as remuneration rates. Many state-run schools are understaffed due to low state budgets, lack of incentives, and irregularities in payment of staff salaries. As a result, many state secondary schools in Nigeria are staffed by unqualified teachers who are unable to educate or motivate their students properly.
Private, religious, and independent secondary schools Private secondary schools in Nigeria tend to be quite expensive, with average fees ranging from a few hundred thousand naira to several million naira annually. Fees have also been increasing rapidly, by as much as 50-70% in 2024. At least one school reportedly charges 30 million naira.
These schools tend to have smaller classes (approximately 10 to 20 students per class), modern equipment, and a better learning environment. As a result of larger budgets, these institutions can pay better salaries and attract teachers possessing at least a bachelor's degree in a specific course area and are sometimes supported with continuing education of workshops or short-term programs regularly.
Religious and parochial schools such as those affiliated with Catholic, Methodist, and Baptist churches were historically less expensive than other private schools. However, schools sponsored by some recently established denominations and independent churches can be quite expensive.
Promotional examinations With the introduction of the 6-3-3-4 education system in Nigeria, students would spend six years in primary school, three years in junior secondary school, three years in senior secondary school, and four years in a tertiary institution. But under review, the six years spent in primary school and the three years spent in junior secondary school are merged to form the nine years in the 9-3-4 system. Altogether, the students must spend a minimum period of six years in Secondary School. During this period, students are expected to spend three years in Junior Secondary School and three years in Senior Secondary School.
The General Certificate of Education Examination (GCE) was replaced by the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE). The SSCE is conducted at the end of the Secondary School studies in May/June. The GCE is conducted in October/November as a supplement for those students who did not get the required credits from their SSCE results. The standards of the two examinations are basically the same. A body called West African Examination Council (WAEC) conducts both the SSCE and GCE. A maximum of nine and a minimum of seven subjects are registered for the examination by each student, with Mathematics and English Language taken as compulsory.
A maximum of nine grades are assigned to each subject from: A1, B2, B3 (Equivalent to Distinctions Grade); C4, C5, C6 (Equivalent to Credit Grade); D7, E8 (Pass Grade); F9 (Fail Grade). Credit grades and above are considered academically adequate for entry into any University in Nigeria. In some study programs, many universities may require higher grades to get admission.
The federal government's education policy is adopted by all secondary schools in Nigeria. Six years of elementary school are followed by six years of secondary school. Junior Secondary school consists of JSS1, JSS2, and JSS3, which are equivalent to the 7th, 8th, and 9th Grade, while the Senior Secondary school consists of SS1, SS2, and SS3, which are equivalent to the 10th, 11th, and 12th Grade. The Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE) is taken at the end of SS3. The West African Examination Council (WAEC) administers both exams. Three to six months after a student takes the SSCE examination, they receive an official transcript from their institution. This transcript is valid for one year, after which an Official transcript from the West African Examination Council is issued.
The National Examination Council is another examination body in Nigeria; it administers the Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE) in June/July. The body also administers the General Certificate of Education Examination (GCE) in December/January. Students often take both WAEC and NECO examinations in SSS 3.
A-levels in Nigeria