FULL LIST: FG Releases Approved Subjects for Basic and Senior Secondary Education 2025

According to the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Professor Salisu Shehu, the new curriculum reforms are designed to reduce
overload, improve learning outcomes, and promote flexibility, skill acquisition, and relevance for pupils across Nigeria.

Why the New Subject List Matters

Education stakeholders, especially school owners, teachers, and parents, have been warned to disregard any fake lists being
circulated. The government emphasized that misinformation could derail the effective rollout of reforms that aim to strengthen Nigeria’s education sector.
To ensure successful implementation, nationwide sensitization programs and teacher capacity-building initiatives
will commence immediately.

The reforms fall under the National Education Sector Reform Initiatives (NESRI), spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Education,
with a focus on merging technology, skill development, and value reorientation into the learning process.

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Approved Subjects for Primary Education

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

• English Studies
• Mathematics
• Nigerian Languages (Choose one)
• Basic Science
• Physical & Health Education
• Christian Religious Studies (CRS) / Islamic Studies (IS)
• Nigerian History
• Social and Citizenship Studies
• Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA)
• Arabic Language (Optional)

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

• English Studies
• Mathematics
• Nigerian Languages (Choose one)
• Basic Science and Technology
• Physical & Health Education
• Basic Digital Literacy
• CRS / IS
• Nigerian History
• Social and Citizenship Studies
• Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA)
• Pre-vocational Studies
• French (Optional)
• Arabic Language (Optional)

Approved Subjects for Junior Secondary School (JSS 1–3)

At the JSS level, students will study a minimum of 12 subjects and a maximum of 14 subjects.
This stage emphasizes intermediate science, digital technologies, and trade subjects to prepare students for
practical and academic pathways.

• English Studies
• Mathematics
• Nigerian Languages (Choose one)
• Intermediate Science
• Physical & Health Education
• Digital Technologies
• CRS / IS
• Nigerian History
• Social and Citizenship Studies
• Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA)
• Trade Subjects (Choose one):
  • Solar Photovoltaic Installation & Maintenance
  • Fashion Design & Garment Making
  • Livestock Farming
  • Beauty & Cosmetology
  • Computer Hardware & GSM Repairs

Approved Subjects for Senior Secondary School (SSS 1–3)

Although the original press release focused largely on Basic and JSS subjects, the reforms also extend to
Senior Secondary School (SSS). The emphasis is on specialization and career readiness.
The curriculum allows students to pursue academic, technical, or vocational pathways depending on their interest.

• English Language
• Mathematics
• One Nigerian Language
• General Science / Biology / Physics / Chemistry (depending on chosen stream)
• Social Studies / Government
• Economics
• Literature-in-English (for Arts students)
• Technical & Vocational Subjects (Engineering, ICT, Business, Agriculture, etc.)
• Christian Religious Studies / Islamic Studies
• Civic Education
• Cultural & Creative Arts
• Entrepreneurship & Pre-vocational Studies

Reforms Beyond Subjects

The reforms are not only about subjects but also about building values and skills.
The Federal Government has emphasized the need for:

• Integrity First Campaign – promoting ethics and accountability in schools.
• Technology Integration – digital literacy and ICT-based learning.
• Teacher Training – equipping educators with tools to handle the revised curriculum.
• Parental Accountability – discouraging malpractice and encouraging moral guidance.

Implementation Strategy

The NERDC confirmed that implementation will begin at the entry points of the education cycle:

• Primary 1
• Primary 4
• Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS 1)
• Senior Secondary School 1 (SS 1)

This phased approach ensures smooth integration and avoids disrupting students already in higher levels of their education cycle.

With a focus on technology, values, and vocational skills, the Federal Government hopes to produce graduates
who are not only academically sound but also prepared for the demands of the modern world.