Nigeria Revamps Basic Education: Introducing Vocational Skills to Empower Youth

 Nigeria Revamps Basic Education: Introducing Vocational Skills to Empower Youth

In a groundbreaking move to enhance the employability and self-reliance of young Nigerians, the Federal Government has overhauled the Basic Education curriculum to include 15 vocational skills. Starting January 2025, primary and junior secondary students will receive hands-on training in trades such as hairstyling, plumbing, and GSM repair, aligning education with practical workforce demands.



A Strategic Shift in Education

Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, announced this initiative during a stakeholders' meeting in Abuja. He emphasized that the updated curriculum aims to equip students with 21st-century skills, fostering self-reliance and entrepreneurship. The previous curriculum, in place since 2012, had become outdated and was not adequately preparing students for the evolving job market.

Diverse Vocational Offerings

The revamped curriculum introduces a variety of trades across multiple sectors:

  • Building and Construction: Plumbing, tiling and floor works, POP installation.

  • Hospitality and Leisure: Event decoration and management, bakery and confectioneries.

  • Personal Services: Hairstyling, makeup, interior design.

  • Technical Services: GSM repairs, satellite/TV antenna installation, CCTV and intercom installation and maintenance, solar installation and maintenance.

  • Textile design Fashion: Garment making.

  • Agriculture and Processing: Crop production, beekeeping, horticulture, sheep and goat farming, poultry, and rabbit farming.

  • Digital Literacy: Basic IT and robotics.

This comprehensive approach ensures that students are not only academically prepared but also possess practical skills relevant to Nigeria's economic landscape.

Implementation and Teacher Training

The government has set a three-month preparatory period to finalize implementation strategies.This includes developing teacher guides, conducting extensive teacher training, and upgrading infrastructure to support the new curriculum.Both public and private schools are expected to adopt these changes starting January 2025.








Empowering Students for the Future

By integrating vocational skills into basic education, the government aims to reduce unemployment and shift the focus from traditional academic paths to practical skill acquisition.Students will be exposed to all occupational subjects and can choose one or two trades to specialize in before graduation.This strategy is designed to produce graduates who are self-reliant, capable of creating job opportunities, and contributing meaningfully to national development.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has lauded this initiative, noting that early acquisition of practical skills can reduce the number of out-of-school children and provide them with valuable tools for self-sufficiency.Dr. Mike Ike-Ene, Secretary General of NUT, stated that this approach shifts tthe focus rom merely obtaining certificates to valuing practical skills, preparing students for productive work and income generation.

As Nigeria prepares to implement this transformative curriculum, the emphasis on vocational education marks a significant step toward aligning the nation's educational system with global standards and the demands of the modern workforce.

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