The Federal Government has officially reintroduced History as a compulsory subject in Nigeria’s basic education curriculum, a landmark reform aimed at strengthening national identity, unity, patriotism, and responsible citizenship.
The announcement was made by the Federal Ministry of Education in a statement released on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday.
According to the statement, for the first time in decades, Nigerian pupils will study History continuously from Primary 1 to JSS3, while students in SSS1–3 will take Civic and Heritage Studies, an integrated subject combining History with Civic Education.
What Pupils Will Learn
- Primary 1–6: Pupils will explore Nigeria’s origins, heroes, rulers, culture, politics, economy, religions, colonial rule, and post-independence governance.
- JSS1–3: Students will study civilisations, empires, trade, European contacts, amalgamation, independence, democracy, and civic values.
The Ministry described the move as “a priceless gift to the nation”, saying it will reconnect children with their roots while inspiring pride, unity, and commitment to national development.
Why History Was Removed
History was previously scrapped from the basic education curriculum under the New Basic Education Curriculum introduced in 2007 and implemented in the 2009/2010 academic session. Official reasons given at the time included low student interest, limited job opportunities for History graduates, and a shortage of qualified teachers.
Steps Toward Reintroduction
In 2017, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) announced plans to bring History back into primary and junior secondary curricula. The first stage of reintroduction began in 2022, when the Federal Government launched a teacher training initiative to prepare educators for the subject’s comeback.
Now, with this policy fully in place, schools across the country will begin implementing History as a compulsory subject from the foundation years of learning.
By restoring History to the classroom, the Federal Government aims not only to educate students about Nigeria’s past but also to shape citizens who appreciate their heritage, uphold civic values, and contribute meaningfully to national unity and development.
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