By Peter Omopo
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 the country.
The directive, issued through the Federal Ministry of Education, will take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session. Under the new policy, admissions and transfers into senior secondary schools will be permitted only at the levels of Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2), with entry into SS3 expressly prohibited.
According to the Ministry, the decision is aimed at curbing examination malpractice, particularly the growing practice of moving students to so-called special centres shortly before external examinations.
The Ministry explained that restricting admissions and transfers into SS3 would help eliminate last-minute relocations driven by the search for examination advantages, improve academic monitoring, and ensure continuity in teaching and learning.
School proprietors, principals and administrators nationwide have been directed to ensure full compliance with the policy. The Ministry warned that any violation would attract appropriate sanctions in line with existing education regulations.
Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining academic standards, the Federal Government said the measure is part of broader efforts to promote fairness and restore the integrity and credibility of public examinations in Nigeria.
