The Federal Government of Nigeria has indeed reintroduced Nigerian History as a compulsory subject in the national basic education curriculum. According to Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, this move aims to “foster national identity, unity, patriotism, and responsible citizenship among young Nigerians”. Here are the key details:
– Curriculum Structure: The new curriculum will cover Nigerian History from Primary 1 to Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3), while Senior Secondary School students (SS1-SS3) will study Civic and Heritage Studies, integrating Nigerian History with Civic Education.
– Primary Level (P1-P6): Pupils will learn about Nigeria’s origins, heroes, rulers, culture, politics, economy, religions, colonial rule, and post-independence governance.
– Junior Secondary Level (JSS1-JSS3): Students will study Civic and Heritage Studies, covering topics like early Nigerian civilizations, pre-colonial states, West African empires, trans-Saharan trade, European contacts, amalgamation, independence movement, and democratic governance.
– Objectives:
– National Identity: Foster a sense of national pride and unity among young Nigerians.
– Patriotism: Encourage responsible citizenship and commitment to national development.
– Civic Values: Equip learners with knowledge and values necessary to respect diversity, uphold institutions, and contribute positively to society.
The Ministry of Education has released the revised curriculum and plans to collaborate with stakeholders to provide resources, retrain teachers, and strengthen monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure effective implementation.
