By Emma Lloyd Onyeike, LAGOS
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the reintroduction of History as a compulsory subject across primary and secondary schools, 16 years after its removal from the curriculum in 2009 under the administration of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
The Federal Ministry of Education made the announcement in a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday.
The initiative aims to foster national identity, unity, and patriotism among Nigeria’s diverse population. The revised curriculum will ensure that pupils study History continuously from Primary 1 to Junior Secondary School (JSS) 3. For Senior Secondary School (SSS) students, a new subject, Civic and Heritage Studies, will integrate History with Civic Education.
According to the Ministry, primary school pupils (Primary 1–6) will explore Nigeria’s origins, heroes, rulers, culture, politics, economy, religions, colonial rule, and post-independence governance. Students in JSS 1–3 will study topics such as ancient civilizations, empires, trade, European contact, amalgamation, independence, democracy, and civic values.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, CON, and the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing the reform.
They described the reintroduction as “a priceless gift to the nation,” emphasizing that History is not just a record of the past but a foundation for shaping responsible and patriotic citizens.
The Ministers highlighted that the reform will reconnect Nigerian children with their roots, inspire pride, and promote unity and commitment to national development. To support the initiative, the Ministry has released the revised curriculum and plans to retrain teachers, provide necessary resources, and enhance monitoring efforts.
The removal of History from the curriculum in 2009 was justified at the time by claims that students were avoiding the subject due to limited job prospects for History graduates and a shortage of qualified teachers.
Efforts to reintroduce the subject began in 2022 under former Education Minister Adamu Adamu, including teacher training programs in Abuja. However, History remained optional in the few schools that offered it until now.
The Ministry’s renewed push is expected to ensure that History becomes a cornerstone of Nigeria’s education system, equipping students with a deeper understanding of their heritage and civic responsibilities.
