Nigeria’s education sector in 2025 was a study in contrasts — bold reforms announced with optimism, major funding decisions taken to stabilize institutions, and renewed efforts to modernise learning, all unfolding alongside stubborn challenges of insecurity, industrial disputes, and uneven implementation. From classrooms to campuses, policy rooms to examination halls, the year left deep imprints on students, teachers, parents and policymakers alike.
This in-depth review explores how Nigeria’s education landscape evolved in 2025, what worked, what faltered, and what the developments mean for the future.
A Year of Big Promises and Structural Reforms
One of the defining features of 2025 was the federal government’s renewed push to reposition education as a driver of national development. The Ministry of Education unveiled wide-ranging reform initiatives aimed at improving quality, relevance and accountability across all levels of learning.
Central to these efforts was a focus on science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical sciences, alongside technical and vocational education. Policymakers argued that Nigeria could no longer rely solely on theoretical learning while youth unemployment and skills gaps continued to widen. As a result, skills-based education became a dominant theme in government messaging throughout the year.
At the same time, officials emphasised the need to reduce the number of out-of-school children, strengthen girl-child education, and deploy digital tools to improve planning, monitoring and quality assurance. These priorities signalled an ambitious attempt to align education with national economic and social goals.
Yet, while the reform agenda was expansive on paper, critics repeatedly pointed out that many of the initiatives were still at early stages, with limited evidence of measurable impact before the year ended.
Funding the System: TETFund at the Centre of Attention
Funding remained a critical talking point in 2025, particularly around the role of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. The agency continued to serve as a financial backbone for public tertiary institutions, disbursing hundreds of billions of naira for infrastructure rehabilitation, academic staff development, research support and learning facilities.
A major policy shift occurred when foreign scholarship sponsorships for academics were suspended. Authorities argued that the high costs and limited long-term benefits of overseas training made the scheme unsustainable. Instead, resources were redirected toward strengthening local institutions and facilities.
There was also a strong pushback against proposals to reduce TETFund’s statutory allocation. Lawmakers eventually rejected the idea, preserving its funding structure and offering relief to universities, polytechnics and colleges of education that depend heavily on its interventions.
Despite these efforts, many institutions still struggled with rising costs, ageing infrastructure and growing student populations, underscoring the scale of Nigeria’s tertiary education challenges.
Freeze on New Universities and a Shift in Priorities
Another major decision that shaped the sector was the suspension of approvals for new federal universities for several years, along with a temporary halt on licensing new private universities. The government defended the move as a necessary pause to consolidate and properly fund existing institutions.
Academic unions and education experts largely welcomed the decision, arguing that Nigeria had expanded its university system too rapidly without adequate planning or resources. The policy marked a rare moment of consensus, highlighting a shared concern that quality had been sacrificed for quantity in previous years.
The emphasis in 2025 therefore shifted toward improving teaching conditions, upgrading facilities and stabilising academic calendars rather than announcing new institutions.
ASUU, Industrial Action and a Long-Awaited Agreement
Labour relations remained a sensitive issue throughout the year. Academic staff once again raised concerns about salaries, earned allowances and unmet agreements, leading to a brief strike that disrupted activities in public universities.
However, unlike previous years marked by prolonged shutdowns, 2025 ended with a renegotiated agreement between the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities. The deal, which revisited the long-standing 2009 agreement, was widely seen as a step toward restoring trust and reducing the frequency of strikes.
While many lecturers remained cautious, the agreement offered hope that Nigeria might finally be moving toward a more stable university system.
Transparency and Accountability Take the Spotlight
In a bid to curb mismanagement and improve governance, universities were directed to publish key institutional data, including budgets, enrolment figures and expenditure details. The policy aimed to strengthen transparency and allow the public, regulators and stakeholders to better assess how funds were being used.
This move aligned with broader public sector reforms focused on accountability, though its effectiveness depended largely on compliance and enforcement. By year’s end, some institutions had begun updating their platforms, while others lagged behind.
Curriculum Reforms and the Return of Skills-Based Learning
At the basic education level, curriculum changes attracted widespread attention. History made a return, integrated into civic and heritage studies, addressing long-standing concerns about cultural awareness and national identity among young learners.
Perhaps more significantly, trade and vocational subjects were made compulsory, with students required to choose at least one practical skill area. These included agriculture-related trades, renewable energy technology, fashion and design, and basic ICT hardware skills.
Education authorities described the reform as a turning point, intended to equip learners with practical competencies from an early age. However, teachers’ unions and parents raised questions about preparedness, availability of equipment, and training for instructors tasked with delivering the new subjects.
Digital Exams and the Push for Computer-Based Testing
Technology played an increasingly prominent role in 2025, especially in assessment and examinations. Education authorities directed examination bodies to transition fully to computer-based testing within a defined timeframe.
The plan was presented as a way to reduce malpractice, improve efficiency and align Nigeria with global best practices. However, lawmakers and civil society groups cautioned that digital infrastructure gaps, especially in rural areas, could disadvantage many students if the transition was rushed.
The debate reflected a broader tension between innovation and inclusivity, a theme that recurred throughout the year.
Exam Disruptions and Public Outcry
Despite plans for digital efficiency, 2025 was not without examination controversies. Technical glitches affected major national examinations, delaying results and causing anxiety among candidates and parents.
Corrections were later made, leading to revised outcomes and a significant change in pass rates. While authorities apologised and promised system improvements, the incidents raised concerns about preparedness, quality control and the reliability of examination processes in a high-stakes environment.
Insecurity: The Persistent Threat to Learning
Beyond policy and funding, insecurity remained one of the most devastating challenges to education in 2025. Kidnappings and violent attacks on schools resurfaced in several states, leading to loss of lives, trauma and school closures.
These incidents reignited fears among parents and highlighted the fragility of educational access in conflict-affected areas. Despite ongoing security initiatives, the year underscored how deeply insecurity continues to undermine efforts to keep children in school and sustain learning continuity.
