Education in Nigeria and ESSPIN

Education in Nigeria runs along the 6-3-3-4 model, consisting of six years of primary; three years of junior secondary; three years of senior secondary; and four years of tertiary education. The first nine years make up the basic education sub-sector corresponding to primary and junior secondary. Recently the federal government announced the introduction of one year of pre-primary education as part of an effort to prepare children more effectively for school, although the Universal Basic Education (UBE) law is yet to be amended to reflect that. Tertiary education could be obtained in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. Responsibility for the provision of education is shared among the three tiers of government (federal, state, and local governments) as outlined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The private sector also participates in the provision of education services at the various levels.

National level

At the national level, the National Council on Education (NCE) chaired by the Minister of Education with states' education commissioners as members, makes policies that guide the sector.

Federal level

Beyond matters relating to education at the federal level, the Federal Ministry of Education also plays a general coordination role in the nation's education sector.

State level

At the state level, the State Ministries of Education are responsible for coordinating education in each state under the leadership of the Commissioner for Education.

Local government level

The Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) plays a similar role at the Local Government Area level.

Education Governance and Financing

While the National Assembly makes laws governing education at the national and federal level, State Houses of Assembly make laws that govern education in the various states. Funding for public education comes from the budgets of the relevant tier of government. However, although basic education is the statutory responsibility of state and local governments, the federal government participates in the funding of basic education with two percent of its consolidated revenue fund (CRF) annually in line with the provisions of the UBE Act 2004.