The Federal Government has unveiled the approved subjects under Nigeria’s newly revised Basic and Senior Secondary Education Curriculum, cautioning stakeholders against circulating or relying on fake versions.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) stressed:

“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 reforms, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) under its National Education Sector Reform Initiatives (NESRI), are designed to streamline learning, reduce curriculum overload, and enhance positive learning outcomes for pupils nationwide.

According to the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Professor Salisu Shehu, who signed the notice on September 8, 2025, implementation will begin at the start of each three-year education cycle — Primary 1, Primary 4, JSS1, and SS1.

The Council also announced that nationwide sensitization and teacher training programs will commence immediately to ensure smooth implementation. It added that the reforms represent a “new phase” for Nigeria’s education system, promising relevance, flexibility, and stronger skill acquisition from the earliest levels of schooling.

SUBJECT BREAKDOWN

Primary School Subjects

Primary 1–3 (Minimum: 9 | Maximum: 10)

English Studies

Mathematics

Nigerian Languages (One)

Basic Science

Physical & Health Education

CRS (Christian pupils) / IS (Muslim pupils)

Nigerian History

Social & Citizenship Studies

Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA)

Arabic Language (Optional)

Primary 4 – 6 (Minimum: 11 | Maximum: 12–13)

English Studies

Mathematics

Nigerian Languages (One)

Basic Science & Technology

Physical & Health Education

Basic Digital Literacy

CRS / IS

Nigerian History

Social & Citizenship Studies

CCA

Pre-vocational Studies

French (Optional)

Arabic Language (Optional)

Junior Secondary School (JSS 1–3)
(Minimum: 12 | Maximum: 13–14)

English Studies

Mathematics

Nigerian Languages (One)

Intermediate Science

Physical & Health Education

Digital Technologies

CRS / IS

Nigerian History

Social & Citizenship Studies

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

Core Compulsory Subjects (5)

English Language

General Mathematics

One Trade Subject

Citizenship & Heritage Studies

Digital Technologies

Electives (Science, Humanities, Business, Vocational & Technical)

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agriculture, Further Mathematics, Physical Education, Health Education, Foods & Nutrition, Geography, Technical Drawing

Nigerian History, Government, CRS, IS, Nigerian Languages, French, Arabic, Visual Arts, Music, Literature in English, Home Management, Catering Craft

Accounting, Commerce, Marketing, Economics

Trade Subjects (Choose one): Solar Photovoltaic Installation, Fashion Design, Livestock Farming, Beauty & Cosmetology, GSM Repairs, Horticulture & Crop Production

Meanwhile, the Federal Government had earlier announced on September 1 that it had completed a comprehensive review of the curriculum for basic, secondary, and technical education to make Nigerian learners “future-ready.”

While some parents and teachers criticized the sudden rollout of the reforms, claiming they were not consulted and warning that schools lack the capacity for immediate implementation, the government has maintained that the new curriculum will take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session.