Nigeria operates the 6–3–3–4 education system. It means a child is allowed to be enrolled in school at age six. They do six years each of primary and secondary education, at the end of which they are expected to be aged 18.in Abuja back in May 2024 when he became concerned about the age bracket that was writing the tertiary education-qualifying exam.
In Nigeria, nursery school starts at 5. Primary education is for pupils aged 6, lasting for six years. Jumping classes for gifted students and skipping class six altogether for children who intend to apply to a private secondary school is common. In secondary education, many students elect to write final exams at class five to save cost and get a one-year headstart at tertiary education.
At the minimum, secondary school leavers readying for university life are expected to be grounded in core subjects with effective study habits. They should be able to stay self-motivated, oversee their daily living, budget their finances, and manage time. In decision-making, they are expected to apply critical thinking and adapt to the less structured nature of university life. They should have some level of clarity regarding their academic and career trajectory.