from EMEKA OKONKWO in Abuja, Nigeria
Nigeria Bureau
ABUJA, (CAJ News) – EMPOWERING learners with the requisite skills to thrive in the digital economy is at the core of the Nigerian government’s overhaul of its education curriculum.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, and Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, have jointly announced the overhaul, which is to reduce subject overload, promote skills development and align Nigerian education with global best practices.
“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,” read a joint statement.
The two government officials said this had been done after wide consultations with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Examinations Council (NECO), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) as well as other key stakeholders.
Under the new curriculum, at Primary Level (Grade4-6), Basic Digital Literacy is to be introduced at Junior Secondary School (JSS) Digital Technologies are compulsory.
Also at JSS, Computer Hardware and GSM Repairs is compulsory. GSM Repairs typically refers to repairs for devices that use the global system for mobile communications (GSM).
At Senior Secondary School (SSS) level, Digital Technologies is one of five core and compulsory subjects, alongside English Language, General Mathematics, Citizenship and Heritage Studies plus one Trade subject. Trade subjects include Computer Hardware and GSM repairs.
At primary, between nine and 13 subjects will be taught, down from 15-17.
At JSS 12-14 will be taught instead of 15-18. Then at SSS, there will now be 8-9 subjects from 15-20.
Language options are now streamlined to Hausa, Igbo, Youruba (one only). Nigerian History is compulsory at all levels.
The Education ministry said the overhaul was in line with ambitions to build a smarter generation.
– CAJ News