The Federal Government has announced a nationwide ban on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in all public and private secondary schools across the country, effective from the 2026/2027 academic session.

This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade.

According to the statement, the directive is part of measures aimed at curbing examination malpractice and restoring credibility to Nigeria’s education system.

“The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has announced a nationwide prohibition on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in all public and private secondary schools,” the statement read.

The ministry explained that the policy followed growing concerns over the increasing incidence of examination malpractice, including the use of so-called special centres during external examinations.

It noted that the practice of admitting or transferring students into SS3, often shortly before major examinations, had contributed significantly to academic fraud and undermined effective monitoring of students’ academic progress.

The statement further clarified that admission and transfer of students would henceforth be restricted strictly to Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2).

“Admission or transfer into SS3 will no longer be permitted under any circumstance,” the ministry stressed.

Officials said the measure was designed to discourage last-minute movement of students for examination-related advantages, ensure proper academic supervision, and promote continuity in teaching and learning across secondary schools.

The ministry directed all school proprietors, principals and administrators nationwide to comply fully with the new policy.

It warned that any violation of the directive would attract appropriate sanctions in line with existing education regulations and guidelines.

“The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining academic standards, promoting fairness, and restoring credibility to public examinations across the country,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the ministry recalled that the Federal Government recently scrapped the national policy mandating the use of indigenous languages as the medium of instruction in Nigerian schools.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the cancellation at the 2025 Language in Education International Conference organised by the British Council in Abuja.