The Federal Government has officially released the full and approved list of subjects for Nigeria’s newly revised Basic and Senior Secondary Education Curriculum.
The announcement follows growing concerns about fake versions of subject lists in circulation, which authorities have now dismissed as unauthentic.
In a press release on Monday, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) confirmed that the new curriculum, developed under the Federal Ministry of Education’s National Education Sector Reform Initiatives (NESRI), is aimed at reducing subject overload while improving learning outcomes.
Professor Salisu Shehu, the Executive Secretary of NERDC, signed the notice on September 8, 2025.
He stated that implementation will begin with the start of each three-year educational cycle, beginning with pupils in Primary 1, Primary 4, JSS 1, and SS 1.
The Council emphasized that nationwide sensitization and teacher capacity-building exercises will begin immediately to ensure smooth implementation.
According to NERDC, the reforms are designed to make Nigeria’s education system more flexible, relevant, and focused on equipping pupils with essential skills.
Approved Subjects Breakdown
Primary 1–3 (Minimum 9, Maximum 10 subjects):
English Studies
Mathematics
One Nigerian Language
Basic Science
Physical & Health Education
Christian Religious Studies (CRS) / Islamic Studies (IS)
Nigerian History
Social & Citizenship Studies
Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA)
Arabic Language (Optional)
Primary 4–6 (Minimum 11, Maximum 13 subjects):
English Studies
Mathematics
One Nigerian Language
Basic Science & Technology
Physical & Health Education
Basic Digital Literacy
CRS / IS
Nigerian History
Social & Citizenship Studies
Cultural & Creative Arts
Pre-Vocational Studies
French (Optional)
Arabic Language (Optional)
Junior Secondary School (JSS 1–3, Minimum 12, Maximum 14 subjects):
Core subjects remain English, Mathematics, Nigerian Languages, Intermediate Science, and others.
Pupils will also be required to choose one trade subject, such as Solar Photovoltaic Installation, Fashion Design, Livestock Farming, Beauty & Cosmetology, or GSM Repairs.
Senior Secondary School (Compulsory Core Subjects):
- English Language
- General Mathematics
- One Trade Subject
- Citizenship & Heritage Studies
- Digital Technology
Students will then select from Science, Humanities, and Business subjects, including Biology, Chemistry, Government, Literature, Accounting, Commerce, and others. Trade subjects like Solar Installation, Fashion Design, and Livestock Farming also feature prominently.
While the Federal Government insists the reforms are future-focused, some teachers and parents have expressed reservations.
They argue that schools are not adequately prepared for immediate implementation and claim they were not consulted in the process.
Despite this, the Ministry of Education confirmed that the rollout of the new curriculum will begin with the 2025/2026 academic session.
The government has assured Nigerians that the reforms will strengthen the nation’s education sector by embedding skill acquisition and digital literacy from the earliest stages of learning.
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