5 Key Changes Made to Nigeria’s Academic Curriculum for Basic and Secondary Education

The Nigerian government has unveiled a revised academic curriculum for basic, senior secondary, and technical education in the country.

The Federal Ministry of Education announced the changes, explaining that the primary objective is to reduce content overload and provide more time for meaningful learning.

According to Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, the Minister of State for Education, the revised curriculum will allow students to focus on fewer subjects, but with a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the content.

This update to the curriculum comes at a time when the West African Examination Council (WAEC), responsible for conducting the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE), reported its worst performance in five years, highlighting the urgent need for educational reforms.

Key Revisions in the New Academic Curriculum

Professor Ahmad shared that the review was carried out with input from various stakeholders, including the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and other relevant departments within the Ministry of Education.

While the Ministry has not set an official date for the full implementation of the revised curriculum, Professor Ahmad confirmed that it will be rolled out with strict monitoring to ensure effective adoption across schools in Nigeria.

The key changes include:

• Primary 1-3 pupils will now take 9 to 10 subjects, with core subjects such as English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and Technology, Culture and Creative Arts, Religion and National Values, and any Nigerian language.
  
• Primary 4-6 pupils will study 10 to 12 subjects, including core subjects like English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and Technology, Culture and Creative Arts, Religion and National Values, Pre-Vocational Studies, and a Nigerian language.
  
• Junior Secondary School (JSS) students will take 12 to 14 subjects, with core subjects such as English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and Technology, Culture and Creative Arts, Religion and National Values, Pre-Vocational Studies, Business Studies, French, and a Nigerian language.
  
• Senior Secondary School (SSS) students will be required to study 8 to 9 subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, Civic Education, Humanities, Trade/Entrepreneurship Studies, Science & Mathematics, Technology, and Business Studies.
  
• Technical school students will study 9 to 11 subjects, aligning with the growing demand for practical and technical skills.

The last major review of the secondary school curriculum was in 2011, and the basic education curriculum was last revised in 2014. In 2014, NERDC launched a new nine-year Basic Education Curriculum (BEC), which introduced subjects like Basic Science, Basic Technology, and Computer Studies/IT.

Recent Changes and Focus on Practical Skills

The former Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, introduced a series of reforms starting in 2024, including the introduction of 15 new trades into the Basic Education Curriculum. These changes, which were implemented in January 2025, were aimed at fostering practical skills and enhancing the employability of graduates from primary and junior secondary schools.

Some of the new subjects include Basic Digital Literacy (IT and Robotics), plumbing, event decoration, solar installation, and garment-making—skills aligned with high-growth sectors such as construction, hospitality, technology, and agriculture.

Professor Mamman also emphasised that students would be exposed to a range of occupational subjects and later allowed to specialise in one or two trades.

Looking Ahead: Transition to 12-Year Basic Education

In 2025, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa proposed a transition to a 12-year basic education system, advocating for a shift from the current 9-3-4 model to a 12-4 system. This reform aims to align Nigeria’s education system with global standards and ensure uninterrupted learning for students.

At the 2025 Extraordinary National Council of Education meeting held in Abuja, Alausa highlighted that the 12-year basic education model would provide a more continuous, streamlined curriculum, leading to better standardisation and improved quality assurance within the education system.

“It is important to note that while the 9-3-4 system has its advantages, it also has drawbacks, such as requiring students to work in order to continue their education,” Alausa said.