The Federal Government has unveiled the official subject offerings for Nigeria’s newly revised Basic and Senior Secondary Education Curriculum, urging stakeholders to disregard any fake versions circulating online.
In a press release on Monday, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) emphasized that only the authentic list should guide schools and educators. “We fervently call on all critical stakeholders to disregard any other fake and unauthentic list that is at variance with the authentic and approved list provided above,” the council stated.
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The curriculum reforms, led by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) under its National Education Sector Reform Initiatives (NESRI), aim to reduce student overload and promote positive learning outcomes nationwide. Implementation will begin at the start of each three-year educational cycle, covering Primary 1, Primary 4, Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1), and Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1).
Professor Salisu Shehu, Executive Secretary of NERDC, signed the notice on 8th September 2025. The council also announced that nationwide sensitization programs and teacher capacity-building workshops will commence immediately to support effective adoption of the curriculum.
According to NERDC, the reforms mark a new phase in Nigerian education, focusing on flexibility, relevance, and skill acquisition from early learning stages.
Primary School Subjects
Primary 1–3 (Minimum 9, Maximum 10 subjects)
- English Studies
- Mathematics
- Nigerian Languages (one language)
- Basic Science
- Physical & Health Education
- Christian Religious Studies (CRS) / Islamic Studies (IS)
- Nigerian History
- Social and Citizenship Studies
- Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA)
- Arabic Language (Optional)
Primary 4–6 (Minimum 11, Maximum 12–13 subjects)
- English Studies
- Mathematics
- Nigerian Languages (one language)
- Basic Science and Technology
- Physical & Health Education
- Basic Digital Literacy
- CRS / IS
- Nigerian History
- Social and Citizenship Studies
- Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA)
- Pre-vocational Studies
- French (Optional)
- Arabic Language (Optional)
Junior Secondary School (JSS 1–3)
Minimum 12, Maximum 13–14 subjects
- English Studies
- Mathematics
- Nigerian Languages (one language)
- Intermediate Science
- Physical & Health Education
- Digital Technologies
- CRS / IS
- Nigerian History
- Social and Citizenship Studies
- Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA)
- Trade Subjects (choose one): Solar Photovoltaic Installation & Maintenance, Fashion Design & Garment Making, Livestock Farming, Beauty & Cosmetology, Computer Hardware & GSM Repairs, Horticulture & Crop Production, Business Studies
- French (Optional)
- Arabic Language (Optional)
Senior Secondary School (SSS)
Core and compulsory subjects:
- English Language
- General Mathematics
- One Trade Subject
- Citizenship and Heritage Studies
- Digital Technologies
- Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agriculture, Further Mathematics
- Physical & Health Education: Physical Education, Health Education, Foods & Nutrition
- Humanities: Geography, Technical Drawing, Nigerian History, Government, CRS / IS
- One Nigerian Language
- French, Arabic, Visual Arts, Music, Literature in English, Home Management, Catering Craft, Business, Accounting, Commerce, Marketing, Economics
Trade Subjects (choose one):
- Solar Photovoltaic Installation & Maintenance
- Fashion Design & Garment Making
- Livestock Farming
- Beauty & Cosmetology
- Computer Hardware & GSM Repairs
- Horticulture & Crop Production
The Federal Government had earlier, on September 1, confirmed completing a comprehensive review of basic, senior secondary, and technical education curricula to make Nigerian learners “future-ready.”
Despite this, some teachers and parents have criticized the sudden introduction of the new curriculum, citing a lack of consultation and concerns that schools are not fully prepared. Nevertheless, authorities have confirmed that the revised curriculum will be implemented starting with the 2025/2026 academic session.
