By Damilola Adeleke

The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled plans to incorporate 15 compulsory skill acquisition programs into the curriculum for Primary and Junior Secondary School (JSS) students nationwide. This groundbreaking initiative is set to commence in the 2025 academic year, aiming to provide students with a blend of theoretical and practical knowledge of specific skills throughout their nine years of basic education.

Under the new policy, students will be required to select one skill from a list of 15 options and receive continuous training from Primary 1 to JSS 3. To ensure the successful implementation of the program, teachers will undergo training and retraining, while additional educators will be recruited for both public and private schools.

The 15 skills introduced include Plumbing, Tiling and Floor Works, POP Installation, Event Decoration and Management, Bakery and Confectioneries, Hairstyling, Makeup, and Interior Design. Others are GSM Repairs, Satellite/TV Antenna Installation, CCTV and Intercom Installation and Maintenance, Solar Installation and Maintenance, Garment Making, Agriculture and Processing (including crop production, beekeeping, horticulture, and poultry farming), and Basic Digital Literacy, covering IT and Robotics.

This initiative is designed to empower students with practical skills, fostering self-reliance and preparing them for future opportunities in various sectors.

By integrating skill acquisition into the basic education curriculum, the Federal Government aims to modernize the educational system and produce a generation of skilled and innovative citizens.