The House of Representatives on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, called on the Federal Ministry of Education and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to immediately review the newly revised curriculum for Basic and Senior Secondary Education to reinstate Biology as a compulsory core subject.
The resolution followed a motion presented by Hon. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka regarding the Ministry’s Circular dated 8 September 2025, which outlined the approved subjects for various classes across basic and senior secondary levels.
The House expressed deep concern over the removal of Biology from the list of compulsory core subjects in the Senior Secondary School curriculum. Lawmakers highlighted that Biology, the study of the human body, plants, and other living organisms, has historically been a core subject in Nigeria’s secondary education system and remains vital to understanding human existence and the biological sciences.
The motion emphasized that biological and scientific research is prioritized globally, pointing to international space exploration and planetary missions such as the Artemis II Mission. Dropping Biology as a mandatory requirement was deemed counterproductive to national educational standards and student competitiveness on the global stage.
In light of Nigeria’s expanding international, economic, technological, and geopolitical engagements, the House advocated for broadening the Humanities language curriculum to include Spanish, German, Chinese, and Russian. Expanding language offerings will build local capacity and address the national shortage of qualified interpreters.
To address these concerns, the House formally resolved to:
- Urge the Federal Ministry of Education to immediately review the approved subject list under the Revised Basic and Senior Secondary Education Curriculum to reinstate and retain Biology as a core and compulsory subject.
- Urge the Federal Ministry of Education to establish modalities, training programs, and teacher recruitment drives for foreign languages (Spanish, German, Chinese, and Russian) in Basic and Senior Secondary schools to curb over-reliance on foreign interpreters.
- Mandate the House Committees on Basic Education and Services, Alternative Education, and Basic Examination Bodies to immediately liaise with the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure full compliance and report back to the House within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
