A recent directive by the Nigerian government to ban the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) has been met with criticism from a prominent digital and human rights activist, Muhammed Bello Buhari. The ban, announced by the Federal Ministry of Education, aims to curb examination malpractice, but Buhari argues that it overlooks the realities of insecurity and displacement in Northern Nigeria.

The Federal Ministry of Education issued the directive in a press release dated December 14, 2025, citing growing concerns over examination malpractice, including the use of special centers during external examinations. The policy, set to take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session, prohibits admission or transfer into SS3 under any circumstance. However, Buhari contends that this policy will unfairly affect children whose education has been disrupted by banditry, terrorism, and forced migration in the North.

Many families in the region are forced to relocate due to violent attacks that have destroyed communities and schools, rather than seeking academic advantage. Buhari noted that displacement has become a normal part of life in several states, including Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Borno, Yobe, Plateau, and Benue, forcing parents to move with their children, often in the middle of an academic session. This raises concerns about the impact of the policy on students who have completed SS2 but are forced to enroll in new schools due to insecurity, as well as those already in SS3 whose families are compelled to relocate.

Buhari questioned the effectiveness of the ban in addressing examination malpractice, arguing that cheating is driven by systemic issues such as weak supervision, poor teaching conditions, and pressure to pass examinations, rather than student transfers. Instead, he warned that the policy could worsen the already high number of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria, where access to education is challenged by poverty, insecurity, and displacement.

The activist called on the Federal Government to review the directive and introduce exemptions for displaced students and conflict-affected communities, stressing that education policies must reflect the realities of Nigerians. The policy’s implementation could have significant consequences, potentially deepening exclusion and inequality in the region. As Buhari noted, “If this policy goes ahead without exemptions, it will only deepen exclusion and inequality, and once again, the North will pay the highest price.” The government’s response to these concerns will be crucial in addressing the challenges faced by students in Northern Nigeria.