The Federal Government has introduced a new curriculum for schools that mandates Junior Secondary School (JSS 1) students to pick at least one trade subject to boost practical skills.

According to a document developed by the Nigerian Education Research and Development Council (NERDC), the six practical skills available are Solar Photovoltaic installation and maintenance, Fashion design and garment making, Livestock farming, Beauty and cosmetology, Computer hardware and GSM repairs, Horticulture and crop production.

The statement explained that the new framework balances subject offerings with more practical learning.

The ministry noted that at the primary level, pupils in Primary 1–3 will offer 9–10 subjects, while those in Primary 4–6 will take 10–12 subjects.

For Junior Secondary School, the range is 12–14 subjects; Senior Secondary students will take 8–9; and technical schools will offer 9–11 subjects.

According to the NERDC document, the subjects for Primary 1-3 pupils are: English Studies, Mathematics, Nigerian Languages (One Nigerian Language), Basic Science, Physical and Health Education, Christian Religion Studies (CRS) (For Christian Pupils Only) and Islamic Studies (For Muslim Pupils Only), Nigerian History, Social and Citizenship Studies, Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA) and Arabic Language (Optional).

For Primary 4-6, the subjects are: English Studies, Mathematics, Nigerian Languages (One Nigerian Language), Basic Science and Technology, Physical and Health Education, Basic Digital Literacy, CRS (For Christian Pupils Only) and IS (For Muslim Pupils Only), Nigerian History, Social and Citizenship Studies, Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA), Pre-vocational studies, French (Optional) and Arabic Language (Optional).

Meanwhile, Senior Secondary School students are to take five compulsory subjects, including one of the trade subjects and the others from their preferred area of specialisation – sciences, humanities, or business.

The compulsory subjects are: English Language, General Mathematics, One Trade subject, Citizenship and Heritage Studies, and Digital Technologies.

The full list of subjects in the newly introduced school curriculum has surfaced online after the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, shared it.

“The new curriculum for Nigerian Schools, which will commence from the next session in September 2025, has been released,” he said.

JUNIOR SECONDARY (JSS 1–3)

Mathematics & Measurement: Numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, rates, geometry (angles, area, volume), algebra, statistics, graphs, measurement (km, m, cm, g, kg, ml, °C, time zones).

English Language: Essay writing (narrative, descriptive), advanced grammar (clauses, idioms), comprehension, vocabulary, oral (debates, speeches, drama).

Integrated Science: Physics (motion, forces, energy), chemistry (matter, mixtures, reactions), biology (cells, reproduction, ecology), earth science (climate, resources), technology, and lab safety.

Social Studies: Nigerian and African history, geography, civics, economy (trade, money, entrepreneurship basics), global issues.

Languages: Advanced mother tongue, conversational fluency in foreign language (French/Arabic).

Creative Arts: Drawing, painting, crafts, drama, theatre, film basics, music.

Physical & Health Education: Sports, fitness, nutrition, reproductive health, first aid, and drug abuse awareness.

SENIOR SECONDARY (SS 1–3)

Mathematics & Advanced Applications: Algebra, trigonometry, calculus basics, probability, statistics, financial maths, applied maths.

English & Communication: Advanced essays, academic writing, literary analysis, world literature, research skills, public speaking, journalism, fact-checking.

Sciences: Physics (mechanics, waves, electricity, nuclear physics), chemistry (organic, inorganic, industrial, analytical), biology (genetics, ecology, biotechnology), and environmental science.

Technology & Innovation: Programming (Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS), data science basics, AI & robotics, digital entrepreneurship, cybersecurity.

Social Sciences: Government & law, economics (micro, macro, trade), history (Africa, world revolutions), philosophy & ethics, entrepreneurship.

Languages: Advanced mother tongue literature, fluency in international language (French/Arabic/Chinese optional).

Creative Arts & Innovation: Fine arts, music, drama, film/media production.

Physical & Health Education: Advanced sports, mental health, first aid & CPR, leadership.

Research & Project Work: Final-year project, data collection, analysis, presentation & defense. (The Nation)

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