FG Reintroduces History into Primary and Secondary Curriculum
The Federal Government has reintroduced History as a compulsory subject in schools, 16 years after it was removed from the basic education curriculum in 2009 under the administration of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced this reform on Wednesday, noting that the move is designed to strengthen national identity, unity, and patriotism among Nigeria’s diverse citizens.
For the first time in decades, pupils will now study History continuously from Primary 1 to JSS3. At the same time, senior secondary school students (SSS1–3) will take Civic and Heritage Studies, which integrates History with Civic Education.
Under the revised curriculum:
- Primary 1–6 pupils will learn about Nigeria’s origins, heroes, rulers, cultures, politics, economy, religions, colonial rule, and post-independence governance.
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JSS1–3 students will cover civilisations, empires, trade, European contacts, amalgamation, independence, democracy, and civic values.
According to the Ministry, Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, and Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing this educational milestone.
They emphasised that “History is not merely a record of the past, but a vital foundation for shaping responsible and patriotic citizens.”
The Ministry also assured that teachers will be retrained, resources will be provided, and monitoring will be strengthened to ensure proper implementation.
It will be recalled that the subject was removed in 2009 due to concerns that students were avoiding it, coupled with a shortage of history teachers. In 2022, the Ministry of Education under former Minister Adamu Adamu took initial steps to bring it back, but history largely remained optional in a few schools.
This latest development secures its place as a compulsory subject for all pupils and students across the country.
In line with this, the Child Rights Act (2003) guarantees every Nigerian child the right to free, compulsory, and universal basic education. The reintroduction of History enriches this right by ensuring that children are not only educated but also deeply connected to their roots, culture, and national values.
