Stakeholders in Nigeria’s education sector have applauded the Federal Government’s recent review of the national curriculum but stressed that its effectiveness will depend on how well schools implement the reforms in their classrooms.
Speaking at the inauguration of Aristeia Preparatory College in Port Harcourt, the school’s proprietress, Modupe Ativie, praised the Ministry of Education for what she described as a bold and timely step towards bridging learning gaps and equipping Nigerian students for a fast-changing global environment.
The government’s review, which covered basic, senior secondary, and technical education, aims to reduce content overload, enhance learning outcomes, and instill relevant 21st-century skills. The process was undertaken in collaboration with agencies including the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Ativie, however, cautioned that the reforms would not yield results unless schools align teaching methods with the new framework and focus on building real-world competencies.
“For these reforms to succeed, implementation must be backed by learning centres that uphold excellence, expose students to global opportunities, and nurture purposeful leaders,” she said. “At Aristeia, our commitment is to prepare young Nigerians not just for exams but for life, including access to top universities worldwide.”
She emphasized that institutions combining solid academic foundations with practical skills in languages, Artificial Intelligence, health and social care, and creative design will be key to Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
Director of Secondary Education in Rivers State, Magdalene Wilcox, who was present at the inauguration, commended the college’s infrastructure, security measures, and adherence to international standards, urging the management to sustain quality delivery.
Executive Pastor of COZA Port Harcourt, Pastor Wole Soetan, who performed the ribbon-cutting, described the school as a model of excellence and applauded the quality of its staff.
The Dean of the school, Barr. Nneoma Ekeh, outlined Aristeia’s academic offerings, which include IGCSE and A-Levels programmes, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics training, Professional and Practical Life Skills Development, and a JAMB Preparatory Programme.
According to her, these programmes align with Aristeia’s vision of producing graduates who are not only academically sound but also globally competitive and practically equipped for the future.
