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 disclosed on Sunday in a statement by the Federal Ministry of Education, citing growing concerns over examination malpractice, particularly the increasing reliance on so-called “special centers” during external examinations.
According to the ministry, the policy will take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session. Under the new arrangement, students will only be allowed admission or transfer into Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2).
The ministry made it clear that admission or transfer into SS3 will no longer be permitted under any circumstances, noting that the policy applies uniformly across the country.
In the statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the government explained that the measure is aimed at preventing last-minute student movements designed to gain unfair examination advantages, improving academic monitoring, and ensuring continuity in teaching and learning.
School owners, principals, and administrators have been instructed to comply strictly with the directive, with a warning that violations will attract sanctions in line with existing education laws and regulatory frameworks.
The Ministry of Education reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding academic standards, promoting fairness in the education system, and restoring public confidence in the conduct of examinations nationwide.
