The Federal Government has released the full list of subjects under the newly introduced national school curriculum, with emphasis on digital literacy, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and cybersecurity.
The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Mr. Dada Olusegun, disclosed this on his X handle on Wednesday, describing the policy as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s education system.
Olusegun said the new curriculum would take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session.
At the junior secondary level, digital literacy, coding, robotics and basic entrepreneurship have been made compulsory alongside Mathematics, English, Integrated Science, Physical Education, Social Studies, and Nigerian and African History.
At the senior secondary level, the curriculum includes Mathematics, English, sciences, technology and innovation courses such as programming, AI and robotics, data science, digital entrepreneurship, and cybersecurity. Students will also be exposed to research, project work, and advanced studies in languages, arts and social sciences.
Teachers, however, expressed mixed reactions. While some commended the reform as forward-looking, others raised concerns about teacher training, workload, and inadequate facilities in public schools.
Mr. Alfred Daniel, a secondary school teacher, said the curriculum was “a very good development” but questioned the preparedness of teachers to deliver on digital courses. Another teacher, Mrs. Abisola Pedro, warned that public schools may struggle with implementation due to poor infrastructure.
Parents also welcomed the reforms but raised fears over funding and sustainability. Mr. Abayomi Peter, a parent, queried the readiness of teachers, while Mrs. Alheri Cliff lauded the inclusion of entrepreneurship but doubted the feasibility of robotics in poorly equipped schools.
Private school owners and state governments gave varied responses. In Edo, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu, said the state was ready to implement the reforms. In Kwara, however, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Lawal Olohungbe, said the government would need time to assess the new policy.
Educationists and analysts equally differed. Dr. Aminu Ilelah of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, hailed the reforms as timely and capable of reducing unemployment, but warned that the absence of trained teachers and facilities could derail the initiative.
The new curriculum is expected to replace the existing syllabus from September 2025, with WAEC and NECO examinations to align in subsequent years.
