Nigeria's Minister of Education Unveils Comprehensive Education Reforms to Improve Learning Outcomes and Increase Inclusivity

Nigeria's Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has announced a far-reaching reform package to improve learning outcomes, increase inclusivity, and reduce the number of out-of-school children. Speaking at the Gender and Inclusion Summit in Abuja, Alausa emphasized the importance of education as a critical investment in the country's future, stating that the administration is prioritizing education as 'the most logical investment.' As part of the reforms, the government has completed a comprehensive review of the national curriculum, which will now be competence-based, cognitive, and functional. The minister also announced new subject caps across all levels, effective from September 2025, in an effort to alleviate the current overload of subjects faced by students.

Key Takeaways:

• The Federal Government has completed an extensive review of the national curriculum, making it competence-based, cognitive, and functional.
• New subject caps have been introduced across all levels, reducing the number of subjects for primary school pupils from up to 21 to a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 12.
• Nigerian history has been reintroduced into the curriculum from Primary 1 through Senior Secondary 3.
• Digital technologies such as coding, robotics, and augmented reality will now be part of the syllabus.
• The government is piloting an upgraded school feeding and conditional cash transfer programme to address poverty and encourage attendance.
• Private sector engagement is being explored to support school attendance and retention.
• Women inclusion initiatives, including the establishment of special schools and accelerated pathways to higher education, are being implemented to boost girls' enrolment.

Statistics:

• Nigeria has an estimated 15 million out-of-school children.
• The government is piloting an upgraded school feeding and conditional cash transfer programme to address poverty and encourage attendance.
• The Ministry of Education is engaging with Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu's initiative 'Flow with Confidence' to provide dignity pads and menstrual hygiene support to girls.
• Women make up a high percentage of the government and cabinet positions, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's track record as a former governor.
• The Federal Government has built safety towers in some schools to enhance school safety.
• There have been no major breaches of school safety in recent months.

Sources:

• Voice of Nigeria, 03 September 2025
• Remarks by Nigeria's Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, at the Gender and Inclusion Summit in Abuja.