The curriculum of any nation functions as more than just a syllabus, it is a strategic blueprint for shaping future citizens, equipping learners with knowledge, skills, and values, and reflecting national priorities. In Nigeria, the newly revised school curriculum is central to reaching the goals laid out in the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and the National Policy on Education (NPE), including fostering technological readiness, civic responsibility, and social equity. For students, parents, teachers and policymakers alike, understanding the Nigerian curriculum means tapping into how education aligns with the country’s development, how it is delivered, and where real challenges lie. Whether you are a teacher shaping the next generation, a parent guiding your child’s path, or a policymaker responsible for systemic change, here are fifteen concrete facts about the Nigerian curriculum that you should know about:
1. NERDC as the core curriculum-formulating body
The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) is the statutory agency responsible for formulating, reviewing and publishing curricula for basic and secondary education across Nigeria. Its mandate includes aligning curriculum content with national development goals, integrating research findings, and liaising with agencies such as the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
2. Recent large-scale review of the curriculum
The Federal Ministry of Education announced completion of a comprehensive review of the basic, senior secondary and technical school curriculum in August 2025. The review is intended to make the curriculum more “future-ready” by reducing content overload and enhancing learning outcomes.
3. New subject lists released for revised curriculum
In September 2025, NERDC officially published the approved subject list for primary, junior secondary and senior secondary levels. This list introduces modern modules such as basic digital literacy and trade subjects while clarifying the official version of the curriculum amidst circulating unauthorised versions.
4. Curriculum structured by three-year cycles in basic education
The revised curriculum design for basic education has defined three-year cycles: Primary 1–3, Primary 4–6, and Junior Secondary School (JSS) 1–3. Implementation is planned from entry classes of each cycle (Primary 1, Primary 4, JSS 1) to ease transition and manage rollout.
5. Mother tongue / language of immediate environment as medium of instruction
According to the policy, the mother tongue or the language of the child’s immediate environment should be used as the medium of instruction from Early Childhood Care and Development Education (ECCDE) through Primary 6. This aims to enhance comprehension and cultural identity for young learners.
6. Integration of trade and entrepreneurship subjects
The revised curriculum mandates that students in junior secondary select at least one trade/practical subject such as solar photovoltaic installation, garment making or computer hardware repair. This move acknowledges the need for vocational skills and addresses youth unemployment through early exposure to practical fields.
7. Functional literacy and digital skills emphasised
One of the core objectives of the curriculum is to move away from rote memorisation and embed functional literacy, critical thinking and digital competency. For example, basic digital literacy is listed as a subject for Primary 4–6 students.
8. Curriculum aligned to the National Policy on Education (NPE)
The curriculum is developed in accordance with the National Policy on Education, which emphasises education for self-reliance, national unity, technological advancement and social responsibility. The curriculum thus reflects the policy’s overarching goals.
9. Compulsory civic, moral and religious instruction
Alongside academic subjects, the Nigerian curriculum includes Civic Education, Christian Religious Studies (CRS) or Islamic Studies (IS), and Social Studies, emphasising moral values, citizenship, and ethical conduct in a multicultural society.
10. Technology-driven curriculum reform underway
NERDC emphasised that the curriculum is being repositioned to be innovative and technology-driven, reflecting the demands of the 21st-century economy.
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11. Effort to reduce curriculum overload
The current reform specifically aims to reduce the number of subjects and content overload, thereby allowing deeper learning rather than superficial coverage. The new framework for subject offerings provides a reduced and more focused set of subjects per cycle.
12. Inclusive education principles embedded
The curriculum promotes inclusive education by accommodating learners with special needs through differentiated instruction and assistive technology as part of its implementation strategy. (This is implied in review documents and NERDC’s statements on curriculum development.)
13. Access to electronic curriculum resources
NERDC’s e-Curriculum portal offers online access to curriculum content, model lesson plans and subject listings for teachers and learners, enhancing transparency and resource availability.
14. Direct link between curriculum and national development goals
The revised curriculum has been explicitly described by the Federal Government as designed to meet Nigeria’s development needs and align with global standards, thereby linking classroom learning to national growth, employability and innovation.
15. A significant transformation
The Nigerian school curriculum is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades. From integrating trade skills and digital literacy to emphasising mother-tongue instruction and reducing subject overload, the reform promises a more relevant and future-ready education system.
