FG introduces new mix of subjects for primary, secondary schools (FULL LIST)

Kunle Sanni –

The federal government has unveiled a new national curriculum for primary and secondary schools, introducing compulsory trade subjects to strengthen practical learning and vocational skills.

The revised curriculum, created by the Nigerian Education Research and Development Council (NERDC), was announced on Monday through the Ministry of Education’s verified account on X.

According to the post, the new curriculum mandates that JSS1 students pick at least one trade subject from six options, including solar photovoltaic installation and maintenance, fashion design and garment making, livestock farming, beauty and cosmetology, computer hardware and GSM repairs, and horticulture and crop production.

Under the new structure, the number of subjects to be taken by pupils and students has now been redefined. Primary 1–3 pupils will take 9–10 subjects, Primary 4–6 will take 10–12, JSS students 12–14, and Senior Secondary School students 8–9, while technical schools will run 9–11 subjects.

At the primary level, the curriculum retains English studies, mathematics, Nigerian languages, basic science, physical and health education, religious studies, history, citizenship education, and cultural and creative arts, with arabic and french as optional. Digital literacy and pre-vocational studies have also been added from Primary 4–6.

In junior secondary, compulsory subjects include english, mathematics, Nigerian languages, science, physical and health education, digital technologies, citizenship studies, religious studies, business studies, and one trade subject. French and arabic remain optional.

For senior secondary students, five subjects are compulsory: English language, general mathematics, citizenship and heritage studies, digital technologies, and one trade subject. Students will then specialise in their chosen track—Sciences, Humanities, or Business—with a range of additional subjects offered under each category.

The Ministry of Education said the new curriculum is designed to balance academic learning with hands-on training to better prepare young Nigerians for higher education, self-employment, and the labour market.