Stakeholders in Nigeria’s education sector have welcomed the Federal Government’s recent review of the national curriculum but warned that its success will depend largely on how effectively schools translate the reforms into classroom practice.

Speaking at the inauguration of Aristeia Preparatory College in Port Harcourt, the proprietress of the institution, Modupe Ativie, commended the Ministry of Education for bold and timely intervention aimed at bridging learning gaps and preparing Nigerian students for a rapidly changing global environment.

The Federal Government recently concluded a comprehensive review of the national curriculum for basic, senior secondary, and technical education.

The new framework seeks to reduce content overload, improve learning outcomes, and equip students with relevant 21st-century skills.

The review, carried out in collaboration with key 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), emphasises practical knowledge, skill acquisition, and global competitiveness.

Ativie, however, cautioned that policy reforms alone will not achieve the desired transformation unless schools align their teaching approaches with the new curriculum and focus on equipping students with real-world skills.

“For these reforms to achieve their goals, implementation must be matched by centres of learning that uphold excellence, expose students to global opportunities, and build purposeful leaders.

“At Aristeia, our own commitment is to prepare young Nigerians not just for examinations, but for life beyond the classroom, including pathways to top universities around the world.”

She added that institutions that combine strong academic foundations with practical skills, including languages, Artificial Intelligence, health and social care, and creative design, will be critical to Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global economy.

Director of Secondary Education in Rivers State, Magdalene Wilcox, who attended the inauguration, praised the college’s facilities, security, and adherence to international standards, urging the management to sustain the quality.

Also speaking, Executive Pastor of COZA Port Harcourt, Pastor Wole Soetan, who performed the tape-cutting, described the school as a model of excellence and commended the calibre of staff.

The Dean of the School, Barr. Nneoma Ekeh, outlined the college’s academic offerings, including 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 reflect Aristeia’s vision to produce graduates who are not only academically sound but also globally competitive and practically equipped for the future.