The Federal Government has unveiled a new national curriculum for basic, senior secondary and technical education, significantly reducing the number of subjects students are required to take.
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, announced the change on behalf of the government in statement dated 29th August 2025 cited by this Newspaper.
She stated that the comprehensive review was designed to reduce “content overload” and “create more learning time for students.”
Professor Ahmad confirmed that the review was a collaborative effort involving key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council and the Universal Basic Education Commission.
Under the new guidelines, pupils in Primary 1 to 3 will now study a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 10 subjects. Those in Primary 4 to 6 will offer 10 to 12 subjects. At the Junior Secondary level, students will take between 12 and 14 subjects, while Senior Secondary students will study 8 or 9 subjects. Technical school students will be required to take 9 to 11 subjects.
The minister emphasised that the process was “not only about streamlining subjects but also about improving content to allow for deeper learning.” She said this step reflects the government’s commitment to delivering a “quality education that is relevant, practical, and responsive to the needs of learners” in a rapidly changing world.
The Federal Ministry of Education, in its press release, commended the stakeholders involved for their “commitment and teamwork.” It also assured the public that the “revised curricula will be implemented with strict monitoring to guarantee effective adoption and a smooth transition in schools nationwide.” The changes are intended to produce a “stronger, future-focused curriculum for Nigerian learners.”
Discussion about this post