The House of Representatives has called for Biology to be restored as a compulsory subject for senior secondary school students and urged the Federal Government to introduce Spanish, German, Chinese and Russian into Nigeria’s school curriculum.
The resolutions were adopted on Wednesday following a motion sponsored by Ibrahim Isiaka, who represents Ogun State, amid concerns that changes to the approved subject list could affect students’ access to scientific knowledge and limit their preparation for international engagement.
The motion, titled “Need to Review the Federal Ministry of Education’s Circular Issued by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council on the Approved Subjects for Basic and Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria,” challenged the decision to remove Biology from the list of compulsory subjects at the senior secondary level.
Isiaka argued that Biology provides students with essential knowledge of human health, plants, animals and the environment, adding that the subject supports learning in fields such as healthcare, agriculture and environmental protection.
He warned that making Biology non-compulsory could leave some students without foundational scientific knowledge needed to understand important issues affecting individuals and society.
The lawmaker also highlighted the role of biological research and scientific experimentation in advancing knowledge, including research conducted aboard the International Space Station and missions exploring the Moon and Mars.
Consequently, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Education to review the revised curriculum and restore Biology as a core and compulsory subject for senior secondary school students.
Beyond science education, the lawmakers called for Spanish, German, Chinese and Russian to be introduced into the curriculum to equip students with additional language skills and improve Nigeria’s capacity to engage with other countries.
They urged the ministry to establish appropriate teacher recruitment and training arrangements to support the proposed languages at basic and senior secondary levels.
The House said expanding the pool of language teachers and interpreters could help address shortages of professionals needed to facilitate communication during diplomatic, educational and other international engagements.
To advance the resolutions, lawmakers mandated the Committees on Basic Education and Services, Alternative Education and Basic Examination Bodies to engage the ministry on the matter and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
The debate follows the Federal Government’s revised school curriculum, introduced in 2025 for implementation from the 2025/2026 academic session. Under the new arrangement, Biology remains an approved subject but is no longer classified among the compulsory core subjects for senior secondary school students.
The House’s intervention seeks a review of that arrangement, with lawmakers arguing that students should retain access to foundational biological knowledge while gaining opportunities to learn foreign languages relevant to international cooperation.
