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

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


Nigeria’s New School Curriculum is now revised for fewer subjects, more skills, and a sharper focus on local heritage. The change starts in the 2025/26 session, and all learners, parents, and teachers are expected to adjust. Read on for full details and subject lists.



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 fixTimetables 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 CurriculumPrimary 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 CurriculumOne 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 1-3English Studies
Mathematics
One Nigerian Language, Hausa or Yoruba or Igbo
Basic Science
Physical & Health Education
Christian Religious Studies, for Christian pupils only
Islamic Studies, for Muslim pupils only
Nigerian History
Social & Citizenship Studies
Cultural & Creative Arts
Arabic Language, optional
Primary 4-6English Studies
Mathematics
One Nigerian Language, Hausa or Yoruba or Igbo
Basic Science & Technology
Physical & Health Education
Basic Digital Literacy
Christian Religious Studies, for Christian pupils only
Islamic Studies, for Muslim pupils only
Nigerian History
Social & Citizenship Studies
Cultural & Creative Arts
Pre-vocational Studies
Arabic Language, optional
French, optional
Junior Secondary School, JSS 1-3English Studies
Mathematics
One Nigerian Language, Hausa or Yoruba or Igbo
Intermediate Science
Physical & Health Education
Digital Technologies
Christian Religious Studies, for Christian students only
Islamic Studies, for Muslim students only
Nigerian History
Social & Citizenship Studies
Cultural & Creative Arts
Trade subjects, choose oneSolar Photovoltaic Installation & Maintenance
Fashion Design & Garment Making
Livestock Farming
Beauty & Cosmetology
Computer Hardware & GSM Repairs
Horticulture & Crop Production
Arabic Language, optional
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 subjectsEnglish Language
General Mathematics
One Trade Subject
Citizenship & Heritage Studies
Digital Technologies
Science groupBiology
Chemistry
Physics
Agriculture
Further Mathematics
Physical Education
Health Education
Food & Nutrition
Geography
Technical Drawing
Humanities groupNigerian History
Government
Christian Religious Studies
Islamic Studies
One Nigerian Language, Hausa or Igbo or Yoruba
French
Arabic
Visual Arts
Music
English Literature
Home Management
Catering Craft
Business groupAccounting
Commerce
Marketing
Economics
One core trade subject, choose oneSolar PV Installation & Maintenance
Fashion Design & Garment Making
Livestock Farming
Beauty & Cosmetology
Computer Hardware & GSM Repairs
Horticulture & Crop Production
Trades, exams, and policy notes, Nigeria’s New School CurriculumNon-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 CurriculumStart date, 2025/26 academic year.
Why this pathLearners 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.