By Uzair Adam
The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has commenced the review of the 0–5 years Early Childhood Education Curriculum as part of efforts to strengthen foundational learning in Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday shared with The Daily Reality, which noted that the exercise is aimed at addressing gaps in the existing Early Childhood Care, Development and Education (ECCDE) curriculum first developed in 2007.
According to the statement, the review process follows a writing workshop held between March 19 and 24, 2025, where stakeholders worked on updating the curriculum to better support early childhood development and improve learning outcomes.
Speaking at the ongoing critique workshop held at the NERDC Conference Centre in Agidingbi, Lagos, the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Prof. Salisu Shehu, said the review is designed to align the curriculum with global best practices while making it responsive to the developmental needs of young learners.
Shehu noted that curriculum review is a vital process for maintaining the relevance of educational programmes in a rapidly changing world. He added that the exercise is expected to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of the curriculum.
“The review of the 0–5 years Early Childhood Education Curriculum is intended to align it with current global standards while ensuring its suitability for the developmental needs of young learners,” he said.
He also appreciated UNICEF for its continued support, describing the collaboration as crucial to strengthening early childhood education in Nigeria.
In his opening remarks, the Director of the Special Programmes Centre, Dr. Ugbalu Egbita, urged participants to approach the workshop with dedication and professionalism, noting that their input would significantly shape the outcome of the exercise.
“The quality of this curriculum will determine the kind of foundation we lay for our children,” Egbita said, stressing that participants’ expert contributions are key to its success.
The statement added that the curriculum provides guidance for teachers and caregivers in creating stimulating learning environments that encourage children to explore, think, communicate and imagine, while also easing their transition into formal education.
Participants at the workshop were drawn from NERDC, UNICEF, development partners, ministries, departments and agencies, as well as civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
