NERDC Sounds Alarm Over Fake Curriculum Funding Request, Warns Schools, Public
The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) has cautioned education stakeholders against a fake document that is asking for funds to produce and distribute the revised Basic Education Curriculum for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Professor Salisu Shehu, Executive Secretary of the NERD, said the document is fake and unapproved, and should not be acted upon by government agencies, schools, development partners or the public.
The warning from a child protection and safeguarding point of view is more than just about financial fraud. Children’s safety, development and access to quality learning is directly linked to the integrity of education systems.
The council has already made arrangements for the production, printing and distribution of the revised curriculum via relevant federal and state education authorities, the council said. It emphasized that no person or organisation should seek funds for it.
It is hoped that the revised curriculum will help to develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills, digital skills, entrepreneurship and civic values and other 21st century skills, as it is implemented in the 2026/2027 academic year.
It is crucial for children to have the assurance that education reforms are being put in place and are not being subject to fraudulent interference. Schools and families require trustworthy information on which policies, learning materials and programmes are authentic.
NERDC stated that true information on the revised curriculum will only be provided via official channels.
The development also emphasizes the need to protect children from the broader impacts of poor systems. Children can end up paying the price when fraud, misinformation or unauthorized actors disrupt education programmes, resulting in lost time, resources, and access to quality education.
Transparency, accountability and trusted communication are essential for the education and protection of children, as Nigeria continues to implement education reforms.
