The Nigerian Government has announced a nationwide ban on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in both public and private schools, as part of efforts to curb examination malpractice.

The directive, issued by the Federal Ministry of Education on Sunday, will take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session. Under the new policy, admissions and transfers will only be allowed into Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2), with no exceptions for SS3.

In a statement signed by Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the Ministry said the policy responds to growing concerns over students moving to “special centres” shortly before external examinations—a practice that undermines the credibility of Nigeria’s education system.

“The ban on last-minute admissions into SS3 will improve academic monitoring, ensure continuity in teaching and learning, and reduce manipulation of examinations,” the Ministry explained.

The regulation applies uniformly across all public and private secondary schools nationwide. School administrators have been instructed to comply strictly, with violations attracting sanctions under existing education laws and guidelines.

The Federal Government emphasized that the move is part of broader efforts to uphold academic integrity, ensure fairness, and restore public confidence in national and external examinations.