FG PLANS 80% PRACTICAL, 20% THEORETICAL CURRICULUM FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

The Federal Government has announced plans to adopt an 80 per cent practical and 20 per cent theoretical curriculum in tertiary institutions, a major overhaul aimed at addressing graduate unemployment and closing the skills gap between universities and industry.

The FG 80% practical curriculum tertiary institutions plan was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, at the 2026 TETFund National Town Hall Meeting in Abuja.

THE PROPOSED REFORM

Alausa, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmed, said the proposed reform would shift the current curriculum model, 70 per cent theory and 30 per cent practical to 80 per cent practical and 20 per cent theory.

“This shift is aimed at strengthening practical competencies and preparing learners for modern agriculture, agribusiness, food production, post-harvest management and agro-environmental development,” he said.

He said the curriculum reform was designed to make education more practical, competence-based and better adapted to technological advancement, industry needs and national development priorities.

THE CURRICULUM REVIEW

The minister said the review exercise had produced 33 new and reviewed National Diploma and Higher National Diploma curricula, three National Certificate in Education curricula and 31 National Occupational Standards.

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He emphasised that investment in infrastructure, staff training and laboratory equipment must be matched with appropriate curricula to ensure students acquired relevant skills .

“As we are building the infrastructure and equipping staff and faculty, we must also ensure that we have the right curriculum for the users,” he said.

WHY IT MATTERS

Nigeria’s tertiary education system has long been criticised for producing graduates who lack the practical skills required by employers. The result is high graduate unemployment and a widening skills gap that hampers economic growth.

The proposed shift to 80 per cent practical training represents a fundamental reorientation of the system. If implemented effectively, it could produce graduates who are job-ready and capable of contributing to industrial development.

However, the reform faces significant challenges. Implementing an 80 per cent practical curriculum requires well-equipped laboratories, workshops and farms, trained instructors, and strong partnerships with industry.

Without these, the reform could remain a policy document rather than a reality in classrooms.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the FG has announced the plan. Implementation timelines have not been disclosed.