The Federal Government has officially reintroduced History as a compulsory subject in Nigeria’s basic education curriculum, a move aimed at strengthening national identity, unity, patriotism, and responsible citizenship among young learners.
The announcement was made by the Federal Ministry of Education in a statement released on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday.
History Returns to Nigerian Classrooms
According to the ministry, this marks the first time in decades that Nigerian pupils will study History continuously from Primary 1 to JSS3, while Senior Secondary School (SSS1–3) students will take a newly designed subject known as Civic and Heritage Studies, which integrates History with Civic Education.
What Pupils Will Learn
- Primary 1–6: Pupils will explore Nigeria’s origins, traditional rulers, heroes, culture, politics, economy, religions, colonial history, and post-independence governance.
- JSS1–3: Students will study civilisations, empires, trade, European contact, amalgamation, independence, democracy, and core civic values.
The ministry described the reform as a “priceless gift to the nation,” noting that it would reconnect children with their cultural roots while inspiring patriotism, pride, and unity.
Implementation and Teacher Training
To ensure smooth implementation, the Federal Government has released the revised curriculum and plans to:
- Retrain teachers
- Provide necessary teaching resources
- Strengthen monitoring and evaluation mechanisms
This aligns with the government’s broader efforts to improve the quality of basic education in Nigeria.
Why History Was Removed Before
History was initially removed from the basic education curriculum during the introduction of the New Basic Education Curriculum in the 2009/2010 academic session. Official reasons cited at the time included:
- Low student interest in the subject
- Limited career opportunities for History graduates
- Shortage of qualified History teachers
The Journey to Reintroduction
- 2017: The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) announced plans to bring History back into schools.
- 2018/2019: Plans for reintroduction were set into motion.
- 2022: The Federal Government launched a teacher training programme to prepare educators for the full return of History.
Now, in 2025, the subject has been fully restored across primary and junior secondary schools, reaffirming the country’s commitment to teaching future generations about Nigeria’s heritage.
Why This Matters
Education experts believe that reinstating History will help young Nigerians understand their past, draw lessons for the present, and build a stronger sense of national identity. It also provides a foundation for critical thinking, civic responsibility, and social cohesion.
