Nigeria’s New School Curriculum, lighter load and real skills

The Federal Government has set a new path for classrooms. The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, shared the plan at a national briefing. After long talks with NERDC, WAEC, NECO, NBTE, NABTEB, and others, the message landed, lighter bags, sharper minds. Big change, yes, and it starts soon.

What Nigeria’s New School Curriculum is trying to fix

• Timetables were crowded, children felt the squeeze, families too.
• The new shape keeps what matters, trims what does not.
• Skill, language, and history get fresh space.
• Schools get a structure that is easier to teach, and easier to learn.
• Quick side note, this is not a rush job, it came from wide talks.

Subject load by level, Nigeria’s New School Curriculum

• Primary 1-3, old 13 to 15, new 9 to 10
• Primary 4-6, old 15 to 17, new 11 to 13
• JSS 1-3, old 15 to 18, new 12 to 14
• SSS 1-3, old 15 to 20, new 8 to 9

Fewer lines on the timetable, not fewer chances. Measure twice, cut once, that kind of thinking.

Policy highlights, Nigeria’s New School Curriculum

• One Nigerian language only, Hausa or Igbo or Yoruba.
• Nigerian History is compulsory from Primary 1 to JSS 3.
• Citizenship & Heritage Studies enters at SSS, it brings together History, Civic Education, and Social Studies.
• Exam bodies will match the new plan, no student left guessing.

Basic Education subject list, Nigeria’s New School Curriculum

Primary 1-3

1. English Studies
2. Mathematics
3. One Nigerian Language, Hausa or Yoruba or Igbo
4. Basic Science
5. Physical & Health Education
6. Christian Religious Studies, for Christian pupils only
7. Islamic Studies, for Muslim pupils only
8. Nigerian History
9. Social & Citizenship Studies
10. Cultural & Creative Arts
11. Arabic Language, optional

Primary 4-6

1. English Studies
2. Mathematics
3. One Nigerian Language, Hausa or Yoruba or Igbo
4. Basic Science & Technology
5. Physical & Health Education
6. Basic Digital Literacy
7. Christian Religious Studies, for Christian pupils only
8. Islamic Studies, for Muslim pupils only
9. Nigerian History
10. Social & Citizenship Studies
11. Cultural & Creative Arts
12. Pre-vocational Studies
13. Arabic Language, optional
14. French, optional

Junior Secondary School, JSS 1-3

1. English Studies
2. Mathematics
3. One Nigerian Language, Hausa or Yoruba or Igbo
4. Intermediate Science
5. Physical & Health Education
6. Digital Technologies
7. Christian Religious Studies, for Christian students only
8. Islamic Studies, for Muslim students only
9. Nigerian History
10. Social & Citizenship Studies
11. Cultural & Creative Arts
12. Trade subjects, choose one
    1. Solar Photovoltaic Installation & Maintenance
    2. Fashion Design & Garment Making
    3. Livestock Farming
    4. Beauty & Cosmetology
    5. Computer Hardware & GSM Repairs
    6. Horticulture & Crop Production
13. Arabic Language, optional
14. French, optional

Senior Secondary subjects, Nigeria’s New School Curriculum

Students will select 8 to 9 subjects only. Five are core and compulsory, the rest come from set groups, plus one trade.

Five core and compulsory subjects

1. English Language
2. General Mathematics
3. One Trade Subject
4. Citizenship & Heritage Studies
5. Digital Technologies

Science group

1. Biology
2. Chemistry
3. Physics
4. Agriculture
5. Further Mathematics
6. Physical Education
7. Health Education
8. Food & Nutrition
9. Geography
10. Technical Drawing

Humanities group

1. Nigerian History
2. Government
3. Christian Religious Studies
4. Islamic Studies
5. One Nigerian Language, Hausa or Igbo or Yoruba
6. French
7. Arabic
8. Visual Arts
9. Music
10. English Literature
11. Home Management
12. Catering Craft

Business group

1. Accounting
2. Commerce
3. Marketing
4. Economics

One core trade subject, choose one

1. Solar PV Installation & Maintenance
2. Fashion Design & Garment Making
3. Livestock Farming
4. Beauty & Cosmetology
5. Computer Hardware & GSM Repairs
6. Horticulture & Crop Production

Trades, exams, and policy notes, Nigeria’s New School Curriculum

• Non-technical schools, trade picks are kept to the six hands-on areas listed for JSS, clear and tidy.
• Technical Colleges, NABTEB will run 28 refreshed trade subjects, wider room for skill.
• WAEC and NECO will match the new subject shape, core lines stay clear, trades stay useful.
• Language policy, learners pick one local language only, Hausa, Igbo, or Yoruba.
• CHS at SSS, Citizenship & Heritage Studies blends Nigerian History, Civic Education, and Social Studies into one taught course.
• Five senior focus areas, Humanities, Sciences, Business, One Trade, plus the core and compulsory set listed above.

When it starts, the reason, and support, Nigeria’s New School Curriculum

• Start date, 2025/26 academic year.
• Why this path
  • Learners get a focused plan, no extra load.
  • Teachers handle a simpler frame, less clutter.
  • Government can point funds at skills that help real work.
• Assurance, the Ministry will guide parents, teachers, and students, step by step, to keep the switch smooth.

Final thought, quick one

• Fewer subjects, more focus.
• A bit of choice, a bit of craft.
• Our story stays in class, with Nigerian History front and centre.

Questions on what your child should pick? Ask the school, ask early, better safe than sorry.

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Meet The Author

This post is authored by Olusegun Fapohunda, the founder and editor of MySchoolGist.

Boasting over a decade of expertise in the education sector, Olusegun offers current insights into educational trends, career opportunities, and the latest news.

Connect with him on X (Formerly Twitter) for more updates.

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