Primary and secondary education

In Nigeria, pupils conclude primary education, lower and upper secondary education with exams for a diploma:

• Primary education is concluded with exams for a Primary School Leaving Certificate.
• Lower secondary education (also called: (junior secondary education) is concluded with exams for a Basic Education Certificate.
• Upper secondary education (also called: senior secondary education) is concluded with exams from either the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO). The high school chooses either the WAEC or the NECO. Upon passing the exams, students get a diploma from either the WAEC or the NECO:
  • a West African Senior School Certificate from the WAEC
  • a Senior School Certificate from the NECO

This is the primary education diploma. Primary education is for pupils aged 6 to 12. Education is compulsory from the age of 5, starting in the year before primary education. This year is called ‘pre-primary education’.

• Duration i : 6 years.
• Content: general subjects. From the 4th grade onwards, pupils are taught in English.
• Diploma: Primary School Leaving Certificate.

This is the lower secondary education diploma. Lower secondary education is for students aged 12 to 15. This completes their compulsory education. In Nigeria, pre-primary education, primary education and lower secondary education together are called ‘basic education’.

• Duration: 3 years.
• Content: students take exams in 9 or 10 subjects (Basic Education Certificate Examination, BECE). They need to pass 6 subjects, including mathematics and English studies. See the website of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) for an overview of subjects. On the website, select ‘Basic Education’ from the ‘Filter by Curriculum Level’ drop-down list. Choose ‘Basic Education (JSS 1-3)’ from the ‘Sub Education Level’ drop-down list, so you can see an overview of lower secondary education subjects.
• Function of the diploma: access to upper secondary education or secondary vocational education.
• Diploma: Basic Education Certificate.

Students get this diploma if pass their final upper secondary education exams via the WAEC. Upper secondary education is for students aged 15 to 18.

• Duration: 3 years.
• Content: 8 or 9 exam subjects. See the website of the NERDC for an overview of subjects. On the website, select ‘Senior Secondary Education‘ from the ‘Filter by Curriculum Level’ drop-down list.
• Function of the diploma: access to higher education, usually after an entrance exam. Students have access to secondary vocational education as well.
• Diploma: West African Senior School Certificate from the WAEC.

Students get this diploma if pass their final upper secondary education exams via the NECO. Upper secondary education is for students aged 15 to 18.

• Duration: 3 years.
• Content: 8 or 9 exam subjects. See the website of the NERDC for an overview of subjects. On the website, select ‘Senior Secondary Education‘ from the ‘Filter by Curriculum Level’ drop-down list.
• Function of the diploma: access to higher education, usually after an entrance exam. Students have access to secondary vocational education as well.
• Diploma: Senior School Certificate from the NECO.