By Habeeb Ibrahim
The Federal Government, through the National Orientation Agency (NOA), has announced a significant overhaul of Nigeria’s Basic Education curriculum with the introduction of 15 new vocational trades aimed at equipping primary and junior secondary school students with practical skills and boosting their employability.
The updated curriculum will take effect in January 2025, marking a new chapter in Nigeria’s educational system by integrating vocational and entrepreneurship studies into the core framework for basic education.
New Trades for the Next Generation
The newly added trades cover a wide range of sectors, ensuring students gain exposure to critical skills for modern society. These include:
Construction: Plumbing, Tiling and Floor Works, and POP Installation.
Hospitality and Leisure: Event Decoration and Management, and Bakery and Confectioneries.
Beauty and Fashion: Hairstyling, Makeup, and Garment Making.
Technology: Basic Digital Literacy (including IT and Robotics), GSM Repairs, Satellite/TV Antenna Installation, CCTV and Intercom Installation and Maintenance, and Solar Installation and Maintenance.
Agriculture: Crop Production, Beekeeping, Horticulture, and Livestock Farming (including poultry
and rabbit rearing).
Interior Design: Hands-on training in creating aesthetic living and workspaces.
This development aligns with a statement made in October 2024 by Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, who highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for introducing vocational skills such as plumbing and phone repairs into primary school curriculums.
According to Dada Olusegun, the initiative ensures every student learns at least two practical skills before advancing to higher education. “This move is part of the administration’s commitment to reduce unemployment and unemployability by equipping young Nigerians with essential skills,” he stated.
The curriculum is expected to complement ongoing adult skill acquisition initiatives such as the SUPA Initiative, 3MTT, and NATEP, further driving the administration’s broader goal of nationwide skill development.
By integrating practical skills into basic education, the government aims to reduce Nigeria’s high unemployment rate while addressing the issue of unemployability.
The curriculum’s emphasis on practical training and entrepreneurship is designed to nurture a generation of self-reliant Nigerians equipped to thrive in an evolving global economy.k
