KEY POINTS
- Nigeria has made history an obligatory subject in schools once more.
- Students will learn about their culture, democracy, and civic values.
- The aim of reform is to foster unity and patriotism.
For the first time in decades, Nigerian pupils will study history continuously from primary through junior secondary school, after the Federal Government made the subject compulsory in the basic education curriculum.
The Ministry of Education announced the reform Wednesday, saying the move was designed to rebuild national identity and inspire civic pride among younger generations. Senior secondary students will take a new Civic and Heritage Studies course, blending history with civic education.
History reintroduced to strengthen national identity
Under the new curriculum, pupils from Primary 1 to 6 will learn about Nigeria’s origins, culture, rulers, economy, and politics, while junior secondary students will study civilisations, trade, colonialism, independence, and democracy.
Reform builds on earlier teacher training efforts
The ministry said teachers would be retrained, resources provided, and monitoring reinforced to ensure the new curriculum succeeds. Moreover in 2022, a pilot program for preparing teachers commenced to make ready for the subject’s return.
Past removal of history left a void
History was dropped in 2009 following claims of student disinterest, lack of teaching staff, and limited job opportunities for graduates. The reintroduction is also now being framed as a “priceless gift” to the nation.
