By Muhammad Mamman
The Federal Government has rolled out a sweeping overhaul of Nigeria’s basic and secondary school curriculum, set to begin in September 2025, with a strong emphasis on digital literacy, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship.
Officials say the changes are designed to equip young Nigerians with 21st-century skills and reduce the heavy subject overload that has long plagued the country’s education system.
Major shift in learning
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, announced the reforms on Wednesday on behalf of Education Minister Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, saying the review was conducted with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and other key agencies.
“The new framework balances subject offerings with deeper, more practical learning,” she said, adding that pupils would study fewer but more skill-focused subjects from primary through senior secondary levels.
At the primary level, children will take between 9 and 12 subjects, depending on their stage. Junior secondary students will study 12 to 14 subjects, while senior secondary schools will offer 8 to 9 core subjects.
What’s new in the classroom
For junior secondary schools (JSS 1–3), digital literacy and coding will now be compulsory alongside mathematics, English, integrated science, social studies, and languages. Students will also learn basic entrepreneurship, robotics and internet research.
For senior secondary schools (SS 1–3), the curriculum introduces programming, data science, AI, robotics, digital entrepreneurship, and cybersecurity. Research and project work will also be mandatory in the final year, giving students practical exposure before graduation.
Creative arts, physical and health education, and leadership development remain integral across both levels.
Full subject lists
Junior Secondary (JSS 1–3):
- Mathematics & Measurement
- English Language
- Integrated Science
- Digital Literacy & Coding
- Social Studies
- Languages (mother tongue + foreign language)
- Creative Arts
- Physical & Health Education
Senior Secondary (SS 1–3):
- Mathematics & Advanced Applications
- English & Communication
- Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science)
- Technology & Innovation (Programming, AI, Robotics, Cybersecurity)
- Social Sciences (Government, Economics, History, Philosophy, Entrepreneurship)
- Languages (mother tongue + international option)
- Creative Arts & Innovation
- Physical & Health Education
- Research & Project Work
Future-focused education
Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, first shared highlights of the reforms on X (formerly Twitter), calling them “a new era for Nigerian schools”.
“This is about preparing students not just for exams, but for the real world,” he wrote.
The advancement comes as Nigeria struggles with youth unemployment and a widening digital divide. Policymakers hope the new curriculum will bridge the gap between classroom learning and the demands of the modern economy.
