Full list of approved subjects in Nigeria’s new school curriculum from primary to senior secondary

The Federal Government has officially released the approved list of subjects for basic and senior secondary education in Nigeria, putting to rest weeks of speculation following the circulation of unverified lists online.

In a communique signed by Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) executive secretary, Salisu Shehu, it said that publishing the officially approved version became necessary to disprove what it described as “unauthentic versions.”

The Council insisted that the document, signed by its Executive Secretary, Professor Salisu Shehu, on 8 September 2025, represents the only authentic curriculum approved by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME).

It said a nationwide sensitisation and teacher capacity building has been scheduled for effective implementation.

The council added that the implementation would commence at the beginning of each three-year education circle (Primary 1, Primary 4, JSS1 and SS1) as the revised curricula are unveiled.

List of approved subjects in Nigeria’s new school curriculum

Here is the full NERDC-vetted subject list below

PRIMARY 1- 3

1. English Studies
2. Mathematics
3. Nigerian Languages (One Nigerian Language)
4. Basic Science
5. Physical & Health Education
6. CRS (For Christian Pupils Only) and IS (For Muslim Pupils Only)
7. Nigerian History
8. Social and Citizenship Studies
9. Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA)
10. Arabic Language (Optional)

NB: Minimum of 9 and maximum of 10 subjects

PRIMARY 4- 6

1. English Studies
2. Mathematics
3. Nigerian Languages (One Nigerian Language)
4. Basic Science and Technology
5. Physical & Health Education
6. Basic Digital Literacy
7. CRS (For Christian Pupils Only) and IS (For Muslim Pupils Only)
8. Nigerian History
9. Social and Citizenship Studies
10. Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA)
11. Pre-vocational studies
12. French (Optional)
13. Arabic Language (Optional)

NB: Minimum of 11 and maximum of 12 or 13 subjects

JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL 1-3

1. English Studies
2. Mathematics
3. Nigerian Languages (One Nigerian Language)
4. Intermediate Science
5. Physical & Health Education
6. Digital Technologies
7. Christian Religious Studies (CRS) (For Christian Pupils Only)
8. Islamic Studies (IS) (For Muslim Pupils Only)
9. Nigerian History
10. Social and Citizenship Studies
11. Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA)
12. Trade subjects (Students to choose one trade subject)
    – Solar Photovoltaic installation and maintenance
    – Fashion design and garment making
    – Livestock farming,
    – Beauty and cosmetology
    – Computer hardware and GSM repairs
    – Horticulture and crop production
13. Business Studies
14. French (optional)
15. Arabic Language (Optional)

NB: Minimum of 12 subjects; Maximum of 13 or 14 subjects

SENIOR SECONDARY CURRICULUM OFFERING

1. Five Core and Compulsory
   – English Language
   – General Mathematics
   – One Trade subject,
   – Citizenship and Heritage Studies
   – Digital Technologies
2. Science
   – Biology
   – Chemistry
   – Physics
   – Agriculture
   – Further Mathematics
   – Physical Education
   – Health Education
   – Foods & Nutrition
   – Geography
   – Technical Drawing
3. Humanities
   – Nigerian History
   – Government
   – Christian Religious Studies,
   – Islamic Studies
   – One Nigerian language
   – French
   – Arabic
   – Visual Arts
   – Music
   – Literature in English
   – Home Management
   – Catering craft
4. Business
   – Accounting
   – Commerce
   – Marketing
   – Economics
5. One core trade subject (Students to choose one trade subject)
   – Solar Photovoltaic installation and maintenance
   – Fashion design and garment making
   – Livestock farming,
   – Beauty and cosmetology
   – Computer hardware and GSM repairs
   – Horticulture and crop production