The education sector in the country faced a rollercoaster of fortunes in 2025, with a mix of triumphs and setbacks. Government policies were both celebrated and criticized, and the administration had to back down on some issues while stubbornly sticking to others. The usual clash between the Federal Government and university unions, particularly the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), resulted in some agreements being reached. However, the sector also witnessed significant changes, including a new curriculum for secondary schools, the cancellation of the mother tongue policy, free technical education, renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU agreement, and a pause on computer-based testing for final external exams at the senior secondary level. These developments sparked debates and raised concerns among stakeholders.
The introduction of a new curriculum for secondary schools in the 2025/2026 academic session sparked controversy. Critics argue that the government is forcing subjects down students' throats without proper preparation. The Senate is investigating the matter, with the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and relevant agencies summoned to address the issue. Senator Sunday Karimi, APC (Kogi West), raised concerns about the abrupt and ill-prepared policy change, emphasizing the removal of subjects like Computer Studies and Civic Education from the WAEC syllabus for the May/June 2026 exam, which could leave students with only six examinable subjects instead of the required minimum of eight. Adams Oshiomhole, APC (Edo North), criticized the 'culture of anarchism' in policy implementation, highlighting the lack of adequate resources and proper notification.
The cancellation of the mother tongue policy also generated mixed reactions. While some experts supported the Minister's decision, the Babatunde Fafunwa Education Foundation, established by the late Professor Babatunde Fafunwa, who promoted the policy, disputed the government's claim, attributing the policy's failure to poor implementation. The Federal Government's decision to transition final external exams to computer-based testing from June faced strong opposition. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and various groups raised concerns about inadequate infrastructure and unresolved power challenges. The policy's implementation was further criticized when students had to write exams at odd hours, leading to a delay in its introduction, with the National Assembly proposing a three-year preparation period.
