The Federal Government has announced a new national curriculum set to take effect from the 2025/26 academic session. A shift aimed at easing academic burden and enhancing the quality of learning.
The overhaul, unveiled by the Federal Ministry of Education, will see a significant reduction in the number of subjects taught at all levels of basic and secondary education. According to the ministry, the reforms are intended to reduce subject overload, foster critical thinking, promote skill acquisition, and align Nigeria’s education system with global best practices.
Speaking at a joint press briefing, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, and the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, said the curriculum review was the result of extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), WAEC, NECO, NBTE, and NABTEB.
Subject Reduction Breakdown
- Primary 1–3: Subjects reduced from 13–15 to 9–10
- Primary 4–6: Subjects cut from 15–17 to 11–13
- Junior Secondary (JSS 1–3): Reduced from 15–18 to 12–14
- Senior Secondary (SSS 1–3): Dramatically reduced from 15–20 to 8–9
Key Changes in the New Curriculum
- Nigerian Languages will be streamlined to the study of one out of Hausa, Igbo, or Yoruba.
- A new subject, Citizenship & Heritage Studies (CHS), will be introduced at the senior secondary level.
- Nigerian History is now compulsory from Primary 1 through JSS 3.
In a post via its official handle on X (@NigEducation), the Ministry stated:
“Beginning in the 2025/26 academic year, Nigerian schools will teach fewer, more focused subjects across primary, junior secondary, senior secondary, and technical pathways to cut overload and deepen learning.”
Reactions and Next Steps
Education experts have welcomed the move, describing it as a step in the right direction to reduce student pressure and enhance the depth of learning. They say the policy could allow more time for skill-based education and promote analytical thinking among learners.
The Ministry of Education is expected to release comprehensive implementation guidelines to schools and education boards ahead of the resumption in September 2025.