AfriPulse
As the year 2025 ends, THE WHISTLER highlights five policies/announcements that sparked controversy in Nigeria’s education sector.
New Curriculum
The Federal Government announced a comprehensive review of curricula across basic, senior secondary, and technical education, aimed at reducing overload and enhancing quality learning outcomes.
The new framework, to be adopted in the 2025/26 academic year, states that primary level pupils in Primary 1-3 will offer 9-10 subjects, while those in Primary 4-6 will take 10-12. 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.
The ministry of Education said the revised curricula were designed to reduce content overload, allow more time for learning, and ensure education remains relevant to today’s realities.
While many stakeholders commended the review, there was some outcry over the sudden implementation, as many stakeholders felt the rollout was rushed, with inadequate time for schools to adjust timetables, source materials, or train teachers.
Some teachers and parents also claimed they weren’t adequately consulted, leading to fears about implementation effectiveness. Stakeholders were worried that schools, especially public ones, lack necessary infrastructure, teaching materials, and qualified staff for new subjects like digital literacy and vocational skills.
Ban on Establishment of Universities
The Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Bola Tinubu, approved a seven-year ban on establishing new federal tertiary educational institutions across the country.
The moratorium covers universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa explained that the current challenge in Nigeria’s education sector is no longer access to federal tertiary education but addressing institutional duplication, which has led to infrastructure and manpower deterioration.
The announcement received mixed reactions, with critics arguing it may limit access to education, especially for marginalized communities.
However, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) commended the ban but urged the government to also halt private university establishment, citing quality and profiteering concerns.
Adoption of CBT for NECO and WAEC
The minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa also announced that West African Examinations Council(WAEC) and the National Examinations Council(NECO) will fully adopt computer-based testing (CBT) by 2026 to curb exam malpractice and modernize the country’s assessment system.
However, stakeholders argue Nigeria isn’t ready due to inadequate infrastructure, unreliable electricity, and poor internet connectivity, especially in rural areas.
Many students and teachers lack sufficient computer skills, and insufficient laboratories, unstable internet, and erratic power supply could disrupt exams.
While CBT aims to reduce malpractice, some argue it could introduce new risks like hacking or technical manipulation.
Mathematics Not Compulsory for Art Students
The Federal Government announced that Arts students no longer need to pass Mathematics in Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to gain admission, according to a revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions.
The revised guideline aims to remove barriers and democratize access to tertiary education. The announcement received mixed reactions, with some seeing it as a positive reform and others worrying it might undermine education quality and competitiveness.
Supporters argue that art students don’t need advanced math skills, while critics argue that Mathematics is essential across disciplines, fostering problem-solving and critical thinking skills and warned that removing Mathematics could compromise Nigerian students’ competitiveness.
Reversal of Mother-Tongue Teaching Policy
The Federal Government scrapped the use of indigenous languages as the medium of instruction, reinstating English from pre-primary to tertiary levels.
The government cited empirical data showing underperformance in regions where the mother-tongue approach was applied.
Critics however fear that this undermines Nigeria’s cultural heritage and identity, arguing mother-tongue instruction improves literacy and learning outcomes, according to UNESCO and World Bank recommendations.
Education experts also worry that the policy disproportionately affects rural students and lacked sufficient stakeholder engagement and research.
Source: TheWhistler | Read the Full Story…
