Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Ministry of Education has announced a comprehensive overhaul of the national curriculum for basic, senior secondary, and technical education, set to take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session.

The announcement, made by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, aims to reduce content overload, enhance practical skills, and align Nigeria’s education system with global standards.

The revised curriculum, developed in collaboration with key stakeholders such as the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), introduces significant changes to subject offerings and learning approaches.

According to Professor Ahmad, the new framework balances subject numbers with deeper, more practical learning to ensure students are "future-ready" and equipped with skills relevant to today’s global demands.

Under the new curriculum, pupils in Primary 1–3 will study 9–10 subjects, including core subjects like English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and Technology, and any Nigerian language. Primary 4–6 students will take 10–12 subjects, while Junior Secondary students will have 12–14 subjects.

Senior Secondary students will focus on 8–9 subjects, and technical schools will offer 9–11 subjects. This restructuring aims to reduce curriculum fragmentation and allow more time for in-depth learning.

The Ministry highlighted the inclusion of 17 new trade subjects, such as Basic Digital Literacy (IT and Robotics), plumbing, hairstyling, GSM repair, and solar installation, to foster practical skills and improve employability. These additions build on the 15 trade subjects introduced in January 2025, which included areas like event decoration and garment-making.

The reforms also propose a transition to a 12-year basic education model, moving away from the current 9-3-4 system, to ensure a more continuous and standardized learning experience.

Professor Ahmad emphasized that the curriculum review addresses the learning crisis and poor performance in recent examinations, such as the West African Examination Council (WAEC) results, which recorded its worst performance in five years.

“While students will take fewer subjects, the content has been improved to allow for deeper learning,” she stated, assuring that strict monitoring will ensure effective implementation across schools nationwide.

The announcement has sparked mixed reactions on social media platform X, with some Nigerians praising the focus on practical skills, while others express concerns about funding and infrastructure challenges.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has cautioned that without adequate financing, issues like poor infrastructure and frequent strikes could undermine the reforms.

The Ministry commended stakeholders for their commitment and reiterated its dedication to delivering quality education that is relevant, practical, and responsive to the needs of a rapidly changing world.

As Nigeria prepares for the rollout in September 2025, the education sector braces for a transformative shift aimed at empowering students for the workforce and beyond.