National Policy on Education, 6th Edition (NPE 2013)

A Policy serves as the foundational guide for organizing and governing education across all levels in Nigeria. It covers pre-primary, basic, secondary, and tertiary education for all citizens. The policy aims to ensure the provision of free and compulsory basic education for every Nigerian.

What Is This Policy?

The National Policy on Education (NPE) is Nigeria's foundational legal and operational guide for the organisation, delivery, and governance of education at every level, from pre-primary through basic, secondary, technical, tertiary, and non-formal education. All subsequent sector policies and education laws derive their authority from the NPE.

Who Does It Target?

All Nigerians from pre-school age through adulthood in both formal and non-formal settings Federal and state governments as providers and funders of public education Private school operators, religious and community school proprietors Teachers, school administrators, and education regulators at all levels

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Provide a free and compulsory basic education of nine years for every Nigerian child Develop the intellectual, social, cultural, and vocational capacities of Nigerians to meet the needs of the economy and society Promote unity, equity, and national integration through a common education framework across diverse ethnic and religious communities Build a sound moral foundation and produce citizens who are able to think critically and contribute productively to national development

Key Features

6-3-3-4 Structure: Nigeria's education ladder: 6 years primary, 3 years junior secondary, 3 years senior secondary, and 4 years tertiary Universal Basic Education: Free, compulsory nine-year basic education (primary plus junior secondary) for all Nigerian children, funded through the UBEC matching grant system Mother Tongue Instruction: Policy mandates use of mother tongue or language of the immediate community for instruction in the first three years of primary school TVET Integration: Technical and vocational education recognised as a core pathway alongside academic education at secondary and post-secondary levels Tertiary Sub-Sectors: Covers universities (regulated by NUC), polytechnics and monotechnics (NBTE), colleges of education (NCCE), and professional and postgraduate institutions Non-Formal Education: Adult and non-formal education included as a formal national responsibility, addressing Nigeria's adult literacy gap

Current Status

Active and being implemented. The 6th Edition of the National Policy on Education guides all tiers of Nigeria's educational system and is being implemented.

Legal Framework

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Section 18); Universal Basic Education Act 2004; Child Rights Act 2003; SDG 4 (Quality Education)