Integration of Biotechnology Content knowledge in Biology Curriculum at Secondary School Level of Education in Nigeria

The integration of biotechnology into the Nigerian secondary school biology curriculum offers a pathway to increase students' acquisition of essential 21st-century skills. This paper explored the rationale, challenges, and opportunities associated with incorporating biotechnology education into the curriculum to prepare students for the complexities of a globalized world. Biotechnology, at the intersection of biology and technology, held promise across diverse sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and environmental conservation. The paper discussed the nature of Nigerian secondary school biology curriculum, emphasizing its thematic and spiral organization, and identified gaps where biotechnological topics were underrepresented. Challenges in implementation, including lack of qualified teachers, resource constraints, and ethical considerations, were explored. Opportunities, such as promoting practical, inquiry-based learning and promotion of interdisciplinary connections, were highlighted. The paper concluded that successful integration of biotechnology requires fundamental efforts to review secondary school biology curriculum. Thus, it suggested curriculum review, partnerships for access to biotechnology resources to facilitate instruction, and teachers’ professional development. Keywords: Biotechnology education, 21st-century skills, Secondary school, Biology curriculum