Nigeria to Teach Secondary School Students Journalism, Programming, AI from September 2025

The Federal Government has unveiled a new secondary school curriculum that, for the first time in Nigeria’s history, will include journalism, computer programming, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and fact-checking as core modules.

According to Dada Olusegun, Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Social Media, the updated curriculum will take effect from September 2025. He shared excerpts of the yet-to-be-released document on Tuesday, noting that the reforms are designed to equip Nigerian students with the skills required to thrive in a technology-driven global economy.

Under the new framework, journalism will be introduced under the English Language module at the senior secondary level, while programming will cut across both junior and senior classes. AI and robotics will be integrated into a newly created subject, Digital Literacy, for senior secondary students.

The curriculum also emphasises fact-checking and media literacy as part of efforts to strengthen critical thinking and combat misinformation among young learners.

Subject Breakdown

• Junior Secondary (JSS 1–3): Mathematics, English, Integrated Science, Digital Literacy & Coding (including Scratch, Python basics, and robotics kits), Social Studies, Languages (mother tongue and French/Arabic), Creative Arts, and Physical & Health Education.

• Senior Secondary (SS 1–3): Advanced Mathematics, English & Communication (including journalism and fact-checking), Sciences, Technology & Innovation (programming, AI, robotics, cybersecurity, data science), Social Sciences, Languages (French/Arabic/Chinese), Creative Arts & Media, Physical & Health Education, and a compulsory final-year research project.

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Education experts have welcomed the overhaul, describing it as a bold and forward-thinking step. They argue that the reforms will not only modernise Nigeria’s education system but also prepare students for global competitiveness in the knowledge economy.

The curriculum update comes as part of wider education reforms by the Tinubu administration, aimed at aligning classroom learning with future workforce needs.