FG Bans Admission, Transfer Into SS3 Nationwide
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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 Nigeria, in a major policy shift aimed at tackling examination malpractice and strengthening the education system.
The directive, issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, will take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session. Under the new policy, admissions and transfers will only be permitted into SS1 and SS2, while no student will be admitted or transferred into SS3 under any circumstances once the policy comes into force.
According to the ministry, the decision forms part of broader efforts to curb the growing incidence of examination malpractice and unethical practices that undermine the credibility of national examinations such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) examinations.
Education officials noted that last-minute transfers into SS3, often linked to so-called “special centres,” have contributed significantly to irregularities during examinations. The ban is therefore intended to discourage such practices and restore public confidence in the education system.
The ministry explained that the policy will also help ensure continuity in teaching and learning, improve academic monitoring, and promote fairness across secondary schools nationwide.
School proprietors, principals, and administrators have been directed to comply strictly with the directive, with warnings that any violation will attract appropriate sanctions in line with existing education regulations.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening academic integrity, improving learning outcomes, and safeguarding the credibility of Nigeria’s examination processes.
