The Federal Government is planning a major shake-up of tertiary education, with a proposed curriculum that will devote 80 per cent of learning to practical training and 20 per cent to theory.
The reform is aimed at producing graduates with hands-on skills, reducing the gap between classroom learning and workplace demands, and preparing students for employment and entrepreneurship.
Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, disclosed the plan at the 2026 National Town Hall Meeting of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in Abuja.
Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, Alausa said the proposed model would reverse the existing curriculum structure of 70 per cent theory and 30 per cent practical training.
He said the shift was designed to make education more skills-driven and responsive to technological advancement, industry demands and Nigeria’s development needs.
According to him, the reform would particularly strengthen practical competence in agriculture, agribusiness, food production, post-harvest management and agricultural environmental development.
The minister disclosed that the curriculum review had already produced 33 new and revised National Diploma and Higher National Diploma curricula, three National Certificate in Education curricula and 31 National Occupational Standards.
He stressed that investments in classrooms, laboratories, equipment and staff development would yield better results only when supported by relevant curricula that equip students with the skills employers need.
Alausa commended TETFund for its contributions to infrastructure, research, staff training, teaching equipment and innovation, saying its interventions were helping to modernise tertiary institutions and improve the quality of teaching and learning.
He also called for stronger collaboration among TETFund, regulatory agencies, tertiary institutions, private-sector operators and development partners.
The minister urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and develop concrete recommendations capable of improving the education sector. He added that funding challenges should not prevent disadvantaged Nigerians from gaining access to or completing tertiary education.
Meanwhile, TETFund Executive Secretary, Sunday Echono, disclosed that more than 480 projects in beneficiary institutions nationwide were ready for commissioning.
He said 14 projects would be commissioned at the Federal University of Aeronautics, Ezia, on October 16.
Echono stressed that the projects were intended to serve their beneficiaries rather than remain unused facilities.
The TETFund boss also announced support for student innovation through a dedicated fund designed to help students develop prototypes, protect their intellectual property and connect with industries for commercial production of their inventions.
He added that the fund was supporting the construction of modern student hostels in 114 institutions and providing transportation facilities in 42 institutions.
According to him, TETFund is also expanding research funding, improving access to digital learning resources and extending skills development opportunities to artisans and other workers without formal education.
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