The Federal Government has announced plans to shift Nigeria’s tertiary education curriculum towards 80 per cent practical training and 20 per cent theoretical learning, in a move aimed at improving students’ skills and preparing graduates for the demands of the labour market.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed the proposed reform through the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, at the 2026 National Town Hall Meeting of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in Abuja on October 15.
The meeting brought together stakeholders to discuss investment in tertiary education, human capital development and the role of education in Nigeria’s national development.
Under the proposed model, practical learning would take a larger share of students’ training, replacing the traditional structure described by the minister as 70 per cent theoretical learning and 30 per cent practical work.
The government said the change is intended to make education more skills-focused and responsive to technological advancement, industry requirements and the country’s development priorities.
Government Targets Job-Ready Graduates
According to the minister, the curriculum reforms are expected to strengthen hands-on competencies and better prepare students for employment and productive activities after graduation.
The government highlighted areas such as modern agriculture, agribusiness, food production, post-harvest management and agricultural environment development as sectors that could benefit from stronger practical training.
The proposal also reflects growing concerns about the gap between academic qualifications and the practical skills employers require from graduates.
By increasing opportunities for hands-on learning, the government hopes students will gain experience they can apply in workplaces, businesses and other professional settings.
However, the proposed change will require more than adjustments to course outlines. Institutions may need adequate laboratories, workshops, equipment, qualified instructors and partnerships with employers to deliver practical training effectively.
Curriculum Review Already Underway
The minister said the curriculum review exercise had produced 33 new or revised National Diploma and Higher National Diploma curricula, three National Certificate in Education curricula and 31 National Occupational Standards.
He stressed that investments in infrastructure, teaching equipment and staff development must be supported by relevant curricula to ensure students acquire useful competencies.
The announcement follows an earlier government-backed review of agricultural education that also introduced an 80 per cent practical and 20 per cent theoretical structure for relevant programmes.
The latest announcement signals an intention to advance practical, competency-based learning more broadly across tertiary education. However, details of the rollout, including the institutions and programmes to be covered first, will be important in determining how the proposal is implemented.
For students and lecturers, the reform could mean greater emphasis on laboratory sessions, fieldwork, workshops, industry placements and practical assessments, depending on their courses.
The government’s challenge will be to ensure that institutions have the funding, equipment and trained personnel required to turn the proposed curriculum into meaningful learning outcomes.
If implemented effectively, the shift could help Nigerian tertiary institutions produce graduates with stronger practical skills and better preparation for employment and entrepreneurship.