Lagos (Nigeria): Nigerians have continued to react to the Federal Government’s introduction of a new curriculum for basic, secondary, and technical education, with some saying it was long overdue.
They spoke in interviews in Lagos on Sunday. The Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Prof. Bilkis Lafiaji-Okunneye, said that the former curriculum had outlived its usefulness.
She lauded the new curriculum’s emphasis on digital literacy, coding, and creative arts, saying that such would meaningfully engage students.
The vice-chancellor noted that the new curriculum recognised the relevance of technology.
She expressed the optimism that school leavers under the new curriculum could be self-reliant.
She also hoped that the implementation of the new curriculum would promote discipline and morality.
Lafiaji-Okuneye said that LASUED, in an effort to promote discipline, compelled its prospective students for the 2025 academic session to undergo a drug abuse test.
The vice-chancellor urged effective implementation of the curriculum to achieve its aim. The Chief Imam of Lagos State University, Prof. Amidu Sanni, described the introduction of the new curriculum as laudable.
He said that the old curriculum was unable to fill specific gaps in teaching and learning, making some graduates unfit for the labour market.
Sanni urged education policymakers to ensure effective implementation of the curriculum. The Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Ahmad, in a statement on Aug. 31, said the Federal Government had completed a comprehensive review of school curriculum for basic, senior secondary, and technical education aimed at making Nigerian learners future-ready.
She said that the new framework was designed to reduce content overload, improve learning outcomes, and ensure that students would be equipped with relevant skills.
According to the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, implementation of the new curriculum will begin with the 2025/2026 academic session.
