Lighter Load, Stronger Minds: Nigeria's New Curriculum Set to Revolutionize Education

 

Nigerian secondary school students at the computer lab. Photo credit: Shutterstock


Nigerian schools are getting a major upgrade. Starting in the 2025/2026 academic year, the federal government through its ministry of education is launching a new curriculum to cut down on the number of subjects students have to take. The goal is simple: reduce academic overload and focus on practical, future-ready skills that will help young Nigerians succeed.


Key Changes and Subject Breakdown

The overhaul reduces the number of subjects across all educational levels, from primary to senior secondary school. The old system, with its high subject load, often led to content overload. The new curriculum addresses this by setting a clearer, more focused structure.


Junior Secondary School (JSS)

  • Reduced Subject Load: The number of subjects for JSS students will be reduced from 15-18 to 12-14.
  • Focus Areas: The curriculum introduces compulsory digital literacy and basic entrepreneurship.
  • Reintroduced Subjects: Nigerian History has been reintroduced as a compulsory subject from Primary 1 to JSS 3.


Senior Secondary School (SSS)

Significantly Reduced Subject Load: SSS students will now take 8-9 subjects, a sharp decrease from the previous 15-20 subjects.

New Subjects: The curriculum introduces subjects like programming (Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS), artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity to align with global technological trends.

Streamlined Learning: The new subject, Citizenship and Heritage Studies, merges Nigerian History, Civic Education, and Social Studies, creating a more integrated approach.


Vocational and Technical Skills

A major highlight of the new curriculum is the emphasis on practical, job-oriented skills. The number of trade subjects for non-technical schools has been streamlined from over 30 to six core areas:

  • Solar PV installation and maintenance
  • Fashion design and garment making
  • Livestock farming
  • Beauty and cosmetology
  • Computer hardware and GSM repairs
  • Horticulture and crop production

This move is a deliberate effort to combat unemployment by equipping students with tangible skills that can be used for entrepreneurial ventures or direct employment after graduation.


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