In 2025, Nigeria overhauled its education curricula.
The curriculum review, though a welcome development, fuelled contentions among policymakers over subjects eligible for the 2026 West African School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), leaving the students confused, and disillusioned.
The House of Representatives recently urged the Federal Ministry of Education to rescind its earlier curriculum review directive, which removed key subjects from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) portal.
Two of the removed subjects are Data Processing and Computer Studies, which are the most widely offered and market-relevant courses in secondary schools.
The lawmakers argued that eliminating Computer Studies at a time when the world is fully adopting digital operations and computer-based testing is ‘counterproductive,’ leaving students unprepared for the realities of modern education and workplace dynamics.
There were also other bright spots. The federal government increased the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) allocation from N320.3 billion in 2023 to N1.6 trillion in 2025. The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) distributed over N92 billion in grants, while the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) disbursed N86.3 billion to more than 450,000 students.
A new N50 million student venture capital grant was also launched, designed to foster innovation-driven entrepreneurship among Nigerian students.
Read also: Nigeria’s curriculum reformed in 2025 – Inclusion must follow in 2026
Technical glitches
The year was, however, punctuated by technical glitches that rattled Nigeria’s key examination bodies. In May, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had to reschedule exams for 379,997 candidates affected by system failure. It includes 206,610 across 65 centres in Lagos and 173,387 in 92 centres across the South-East.
Ishaq Oloyede, registrar, JAMB, admitted the lapses, raising concerns over the reliability of the nation’s entrance exams.
On Monday, August 4, WAEC released the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) 2025 results, announcing that there was a mass failure in the English Language.
However, in a twist of events, on Thursday, August 7, the council released a statement claiming that a glitch occurred. This left many stakeholders wondering about the hope for the Nigerian education system.
Insecurity disrupts learning
Insecurity further strained the education sector. The federal government shut down 41 unity colleges amid rising student abductions. In Niger State, gunmen kidnapped dozens of students from St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, while in Kebbi State, 25 girls were abducted from a secondary school. Of 340 abducted students, only 125 have been freed or escaped, leaving 215 still in captivity.
These attacks have widened the learning gap between northern and southern students, as fear and closures hinder access to education in affected regions.
Read also: Senate summons education minister, WAEC boss over controversial curriculum change
Overall, 2025 exposed the fragility and ambition of Nigeria’s education system. Technology-driven reforms and digital tools promise modernisation, yet technical failures, poor infrastructure, and uneven digital literacy continue to frustrate students and educators alike. Curriculum reforms, though necessary, are inconsistently applied, and insecurity disrupts learning, particularly in the north.
Experts’ views
Nubi Achebo, director of Academic Planning at Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM), said the glitches in 2025 were a major challenge this year, particularly the WAEC saga.
“The glitch and subsequent correction of results might raise questions about the credibility of WAEC and its examination processes,” he said.
Achebo said the glitches could have induced stress and anxiety on the psyche of pupils.
“The glitch and result corrections could cause unnecessary stress and anxiety for pupils awaiting their results and those whose futures depend on these exams,” he noted.
Gift Osikoya, a teacher, emphasised that the immediate and sudden implementation of the curriculum created confusion, stressing that there should have been a phased plan in place which would have allowed for smoother transition.
“With this sudden and rushed approach, some schools will not be able to comply, while some others will, causing educational inequality,” she said during the review.
