Ono Yima
The Federal Government has announced that the new curriculum for basic, secondary, and technical education will take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session.
The Director of Press at the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, confirmed the development at the weekend, saying that all necessary arrangements had been made for its smooth rollout. Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, had earlier explained that the curriculum review was undertaken to reduce content overload, improve learning outcomes, and prepare Nigerian learners with skills needed to thrive in a changing world.
Under the revised structure, pupils in Primary 1 to 3 will study between nine and ten subjects, while those in Primary 4 to 6 will take 10 to 12 subjects. Junior secondary school students may offer 12 to 14 subjects, senior secondary students eight to nine, and technical school students nine to 11 subjects.
Beyond core subjects, the new framework introduces courses such as programming, artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity. Project-based learning has also been added to strengthen practical knowledge and innovation. According to officials, the plan includes teacher training, provision of learning resources, and collaboration with private sector partners to support digital infrastructure in schools.
Stakeholders have welcomed the overhaul, describing it as long overdue. Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University of Education, Prof. Bilkis Lafiaji-Okunneye, said the former curriculum had outlived its usefulness. She praised the new emphasis on digital literacy, coding, and creative arts, noting that such focus would empower students to become self-reliant. She added that with effective implementation, the new framework could also promote discipline and morality.
She revealed that LASUED had already introduced compulsory drug abuse tests for incoming students as part of efforts to instill discipline.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Lagos State University, Prof. Amidu Sanni, described the new curriculum as laudable, saying the old system left gaps that produced graduates unfit for the labour market. He stressed that proper implementation was crucial to its success.
The government said the review was informed by calls from industry stakeholders for graduates with stronger skills in technology, creativity, and enterprise. Officials maintain that the curriculum is designed to align Nigeria’s education system with global trends while addressing long-standing gaps in teaching and learning.