Government Unveils New Curriculum After 12 Years, Focuses On Technology And New Skills

Government Unveils New Curriculum After 12 Years, Focuses on Technology and New Skills

After a 12-year hiatus, the federal government has announced a comprehensive review of the curriculum for basic and senior secondary schools, aimed at addressing the current learning crisis in Nigeria and integrating modern technology into education.

Speaking at the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) Stakeholders’ Dialogue and High-Level Policy Committee Meeting in Abuja on Thursday,

Minister of Education Prof. Tahir Mamman emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to delivering a revamped curriculum that meets the needs of today’s learners. Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, Mamman highlighted the urgency of the review, given the alarming learning crisis in Nigeria, where one in five children globally who are out of school is Nigerian.

“The curriculum was last reviewed 12 years ago, and it is an understatement to say that what we have now addresses the needs of the past five years, let alone the current and future needs of Nigeria,” Mamman stated. He underscored the challenges facing Nigerian education, including poor numeracy, learning outcomes, and critical thinking skills, which are all barriers to national development.

The minister outlined that the new curriculum, once implemented, will tackle these challenges by enhancing learning outcomes, reinforcing value systems, and equipping students with job-creating skills. “This will encourage learners to think independently, innovate, create, and solve societal problems,” he added.

The curriculum review aligns with the administration’s broader goal of revitalizing the education sector to create a skilled workforce capable of seizing opportunities within Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape.

Dr. Margret Lawani, Acting Executive Secretary of NERDC, also stressed the necessity of the review, noting that the current curriculum no longer meets contemporary needs. She highlighted that the new curriculum would be globally competitive, competency-based, and outcome-focused, with an emphasis on 21st-century skills.

“The current curriculum review drive is aimed at designing a curriculum that will not only address critical emerging issues but also provide a platform to instill 21st-century skills in learners,” Lawani said. She called for stakeholder input to ensure the curriculum reflects the needs and ambitions of all Nigerians.

The meeting marks a significant step towards producing a curriculum that prioritizes what learners can do over what they simply know. Stakeholders are expected to contribute suggestions and ratify the framework and structure, paving the way for the technical drafting of the new curriculum.