Nigeria has introduced a new school curriculum aimed at equipping students with practical skills and preparing them for the 21st‑century workforce. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, described the framework as “future‑ready” and designed to meet the modern era’s skills demand. Developed by the Nigerian Education Research and Development Council (NERDC), the curriculum was created after consulting a broad range of stakeholders and drawing on best practices.
At the primary level, pupils will study subjects such as English Studies, Mathematics and Basic Science, with an added emphasis on digital literacy and practical skills. In Junior Secondary School, students will take core subjects—including English Studies, Mathematics and Intermediate Science—and must choose at least one trade subject from six options: Solar Photovoltaic installation and maintenance, fashion design and garment making, livestock farming, beauty and cosmetology, computer hardware and GSM repairs, or horticulture and crop production.
Senior Secondary School students will be required to complete five compulsory subjects, one of which must be a trade subject, and will then select specialized courses in the sciences, humanities or business. The new curriculum is learner‑centered, focusing on transferable 21st‑century skills that are relevant to the modern workforce.
The framework is expected to be implemented soon, with the goal of improving learning outcomes and equipping students to succeed in an increasingly complex and technological world. By emphasizing practical skills, digital literacy and specialized subjects, the curriculum represents a significant step toward enhancing the quality of education in Nigeria and positively impacting the country’s education system and economy.
Comments are closed for this story.