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, issued on Sunday by the Federal Ministry of Education, was conveyed in a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo.
According to the ministry, the decision was taken in response to growing concerns over widespread examination malpractice, particularly the increasing use of so-called special centres during external examinations.
The ministry warned that such practices pose a serious threat to the credibility and integrity of Nigeria’s education system.
“The ban is aimed at curbing examination malpractice and protecting the sanctity of external examinations,” the statement said.
The directive will take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session, with admissions and transfers restricted strictly to SS1 and SS2.
The ministry stressed that admission or transfer into SS3 will no longer be permitted under any circumstance, urging school administrators, parents and guardians to comply fully with the new policy.
The Federal Government said the move forms part of broader efforts to strengthen standards, accountability and fairness within the country’s secondary education system.