By Andrew Haruna | The Bureau News
In a landmark decision, the Nigerian government has reintroduced History as a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools across the country. The move, announced on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Education, comes decades after History was controversially removed from the basic education curriculum.
Strengthening National Identity
According to the ministry, the decision aims to reinforce Nigeria’s national identity, foster unity, build patriotism, and promote responsible citizenship.
“The Federal Government has reintroduced Nigerian History as a compulsory subject in the basic education curriculum to strengthen national identity, unity, patriotism, and responsible citizenship,” the ministry said in its statement.
The new curriculum will ensure pupils study History continuously from Primary 1 through Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3). At the Senior Secondary level (SS1–SS3), students will take a newly created subject called Civic and Heritage Studies, which merges History with Civic Education.
Curriculum Breakdown
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Primary 1–6: Students will learn about Nigeria’s origins, cultural heritage, rulers, politics, economy, religions, colonial rule, and post-independence governance.
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Junior Secondary (JSS1–3): The focus will shift to African civilizations, major empires, trade systems, European contact, the amalgamation of Nigeria, independence, democracy, and civic values.
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Senior Secondary (SS1–SS3): Under Civic and Heritage Studies, students will study a combination of history, governance, and civic education designed to strengthen their role as active citizens.
The Education Ministry also confirmed that teachers would undergo retraining while resources and monitoring systems would be provided to ensure effective implementation.
A Reversal of Controversial Policy
History was originally scrapped from Nigeria’s curriculum in 2007, when it was merged into Social Studies as part of an education reform. The decision faced sharp criticism from academics, civil society groups, and educators, who argued that sidelining History weakened national identity and civic awareness.
Although the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari approved History’s return in 2019, it was only reintroduced at a limited level. The latest reform marks the first time History will be made compulsory and continuous from primary through secondary education.
A Timely Reform
Observers believe the reintroduction comes at a crucial period, as Nigeria grapples with deepening ethnic divisions, political instability, and the erosion of civic values among young people. Educationists say that by reconnecting students to their cultural and historical roots, Nigeria can build a new generation grounded in unity, pride, and commitment to national development.