The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a revised curriculum framework for primary, secondary, and technical education, set to take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session. This reform aims to reduce content overload, streamline subject offerings, and enhance the quality of education by emphasizing practical skills and relevant knowledge for today’s world.

As Nigeria takes this important step in educational reform, many are wondering how the new curriculum compares with those of other African countries like South Africa and Ghana. This article breaks down the key features of Nigeria’s new curriculum and compares them with similar reforms in the region.

Key Highlights of Nigeria’s New Curriculum

The curriculum reform introduces clear subject limits across different education levels to help students focus better and reduce stress:

Primary 1–3: 9 to 10 subjects

Primary 4–6: 10 to 12 subjects

Junior Secondary School (JSS): 12 to 14 subjects

Senior Secondary School (SSS): 8 to 9 subjects

Technical Schools: 9 to 11 subjects

In addition to limiting subjects, the government has introduced 17 new vocational and technical subjects, including plumbing, event decoration, bakery, hairstyling, digital literacy, GSM repairs, and agriculture, aiming to equip students with practical, employable skills.

The curriculum redesign was developed in collaboration with key stakeholders such as the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). Its goals are to reduce content overload, improve learning outcomes, and align education with modern economic realities.

How Does Nigeria’s Curriculum Compare with South Africa and Ghana?
1. Curriculum Structure and Subject Limits

Nigeria:
Nigeria’s reform focuses on setting a clear limit on the number of subjects per level, balancing core academic subjects with vocational options to avoid overwhelming students.

South Africa:
South Africa’s education system uses the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). It mandates core subjects like languages, mathematics, and life orientation, while offering electives including vocational and technical options. At higher levels, students take fewer subjects to specialize, similar to Nigeria’s approach.

Ghana:
Ghana’s Basic Education Curriculum Framework is competency-based, combining core subjects with vocational and technical skills, particularly at the junior secondary level. It shares Nigeria’s emphasis on practical skills and reducing rote memorization.

2. Vocational and Technical Education

Nigeria’s introduction of 17 vocational subjects represents a strong commitment to practical skills development, a trend also seen in Ghana and South Africa.

South Africa’s vocational training is well-established, especially through its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, with secondary school students having access to technical streams and apprenticeships.

Ghana has increasingly integrated vocational subjects in junior and senior high schools to address youth unemployment and skill shortages, paralleling Nigeria’s current reforms.

3. Educational Goals and Focus

All three countries aim to reduce content overload, enhance practical and life skills, and better prepare students for the workforce.

Nigeria’s focus on digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and vocational skills aligns well with Ghana and South Africa’s curriculum objectives.

Nigeria’s new curriculum reforms are broadly in line with regional trends toward balanced education that combines academic knowledge with practical skills. By introducing clear subject limits and expanding vocational offerings, Nigeria is making a significant step forward in modernizing its education system.

While South Africa’s curriculum has long emphasized a blend of core academics and vocational training, and Ghana has been steadily progressing with competency-based education, Nigeria’s latest reform positions the country competitively within the region.

These changes promise to equip Nigerian students better for the demands of the 21st-century economy and global workforce, while also addressing the issue of content overload that has challenged many learners.