FG restores History to basic school curriculum

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reintroduced Nigerian History as a mandatory subject in primary and junior secondary schools, in order to deepen students’ understanding of their heritage and foster patriotism. The Ministry of Education revealed this plan on its official X account on Wednesday.
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For the first time in decades, pupils from Primary 1 through Junior Secondary School 3 will study the nation’s past continuously. Meanwhile, senior secondary students will engage with a new combined course, Civic and Heritage Studies, a blend of historical knowledge and civic responsibility.
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Children in primary classes will explore topics including Nigeria’s founding, notable leaders, cultural traditions, political systems, economic developments, religions, colonial experiences, and governance after independence. Junior secondary students will now study ancient civilisations, trade dynamics, contact with Europeans, amalgamation processes, the struggle for independence, democratic evolution, and civic values essential for nation-building.
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Stakeholders within the education sector describe this development as an invaluable contribution to reconnecting young Nigerians with their roots, encouraging patriotism and collective commitment for nation building. As part of this educational reform, the Ministry plans to provide updated teaching materials, train educators, and tighten supervision to ensure effective implementation of the subject.
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The history curriculum was previously removed in 2009, based on concerns that students avoided the subject because of the limited career opportunities available for history graduates, and that there was also a shortage of qualified history teachers. However, growing calls since 2017 and preliminary teacher training in 2022 laid the groundwork for this revival.
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Education experts welcome the development, emphasizing how the understanding of history can foster responsible citizenship and strengthen national cohesion.
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