September 8, 2025
By Ademola Adekusibe
Teachers and parents have faulted the Federal Government’s decision to commence the immediate implementation of the revised national curriculum, warning that schools across the country are unprepared for the policy shift.
The new curriculum, which reduces the number of subjects and introduces a stronger emphasis on skills acquisition, digital literacy and trade, is scheduled to take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session.
At a virtual meeting convened by the Concerned Parents and Educators Network, education advocate Taiwo Akinlami described the move as hasty and ill-prepared. According to him, most schools were caught unawares as they were not consulted before the announcement was made.
“If stakeholders such as private school associations, parents and teachers are not carried along, the reform risks being more political than educational,” Akinlami said.
Although experts welcomed the idea of easing subject overload for students, they stressed that systemic challenges could frustrate its success. Curriculum theorist Rhoda Odigboh noted that while the changes were timely, government must first address infrastructure deficits, inadequate teacher training particularly in digital skills, and the shortfall of over 190,000 qualified teachers nationwide.
Stakeholders also expressed concern over the fate of out-of-school children, saying the policy offered no clear pathway for their inclusion.
They urged the Federal Government to suspend the rollout until proper sensitisation, teacher preparation and infrastructure support are provided to ensure effective delivery.
