The Federal Government has announced a nationwide ban on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) as part of efforts to tackle rising cases of examination malpractice in Nigeria. 

In a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the government said the directive will take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session and will apply to both public and private secondary schools nationwide. 

Under the new policy, admissions and transfers will only be permitted into SS1 and SS2, with no admission or transfer into SS3 allowed under any circumstance. The ministry explained that the move is aimed at discouraging last-minute student movements for examination-related advantages, enhancing academic monitoring, and promoting continuity in teaching and learning. 

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The Federal Ministry of Education warned that school proprietors, principals, and administrators must comply fully with the ban, adding that violations will attract sanctions under existing education regulations. 

Officials say the measure forms part of broader government efforts to restore credibility to public examinations and strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.