The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics, and Values, Olusola Fatoba, recently praised the Federal Government’s initiative to enrich Nigeria’s basic education curriculum with vocational and skill-based learning.
This forward-thinking measure, aimed at both primary and junior secondary school students, is intended to enhance practical skills and improve employability prospects in a rapidly evolving job market.
Speaking during an interaction with journalists in Ado Ekiti, Rep Fatoba emphasized that the addition of these new skills demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to providing Nigerian students with a curriculum that keeps pace with global standards. This curriculum update is a testament to President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to the future of Nigerian students, Fatoba remarked. He urged parents, educators, and students to embrace the skills-based additions, which he believes will help foster self-reliance, competitiveness, and career readiness in young learners.
However, the lawmaker, representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 1, called for a crucial enhancement to the curriculum—reintroducing history. While the skills-focused curriculum is commendable, it is equally vital for students to study history, as understanding our past is essential for shaping the future, Fatoba argued. He noted that adding history would help students appreciate Nigerian heritage and identity, empowering them to make informed decisions as they project into the future.
Curriculum to Introduce Practical Skills for Employability
The new curriculum, set for implementation in January 2025, will offer a wide variety of practical skills training. According to Fatoba, students will have the flexibility to choose skill sets that align with their interests and aptitudes, gaining hands-on knowledge that directly translates into economic relevance upon graduation. The curriculum will include digital literacy, robotics, and vocational and entrepreneurial skills such as plumbing, event management, confectionery baking, hairstyling, interior design, and phone repair.
Other areas of focus will include solar and satellite installation, CCTV and intercom maintenance, garment production, agriculture, beekeeping, horticulture, and digital literacy skills in information technology and robotics. The diversity of these fields, Fatoba highlighted, is designed to make students versatile, adaptable, and ready to seize job opportunities both locally and globally.
Preparations Underway for Seamless Implementation
The Federal Government plans to invest significantly in teacher training, instructional resources, and school infrastructure to ensure effective curriculum implementation. Fatoba noted that both public and private institutions will undergo preparatory adjustments in the coming months to ensure they are ready for the January 2025 roll-out. Efforts will include training teachers on the new skills, creating instructional guides, and upgrading facilities where necessary, he explained.
Commitment to Future-Focused Education
The curriculum update also aligns with recent statements by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, who confirmed the January 2025 launch of the enhanced curriculum for basic schools. Mamman shared that students will be required to acquire at least two distinct skills before completing their basic education. Dr. Margret Lawani, Acting Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, outlined that the curriculum will encompass around 15 different skill areas.
By prioritizing a blend of practical skills, vocational training, and a return to historical studies, Nigeria’s basic education curriculum aims to equip students with a comprehensive education that promotes self-sufficiency, cultural understanding, and marketable competencies for the 21st-century workforce.
