Bridging the Past and Present: Nigeria to Reintroduce History in Schools by 2025
Tunji Alausa, Nigeria’s Minister of Education, has confirmed that President Bola Tinubu has committed to bringing history back as a core subject in the nation’s primary and secondary schools. This move marks the government’s pledge to reconnect young Nigerians with their heritage and ensure that future generations understand the importance of their history.
History was removed from Nigeria’s basic education curriculum in 2007, sparking years of criticism. For over a decade, historical content was only briefly covered in social studies, leaving students with a limited grasp of their country’s past.
In 2018, the federal government issued an order to reinstate history as a standalone subject in schools. Adamu Adamu, who was the Minister of Education at the time, clarified that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) would first need to detach history from social studies before introducing it again. The initiative also involved training 3,700 history teachers to support the teaching of this critical subject.
Several states, including Lagos and Taraba, have already started implementing this policy, following the federal government’s directive.
On a recent appearance on Channels TV, Alausa highlighted the significance of restoring Nigerian history education. He pointed out that many Nigerians, especially those in their 30s, have grown up disconnected from their nation’s history. “It doesn’t happen in any part of the world,” Alausa remarked, emphasizing the need for the nation’s youth to reconnect with their heritage.
Alausa also confirmed that from 2025, history would be fully integrated into the curriculum of primary and secondary schools across the country.
The reinstatement of history has been welcomed by various stakeholders, who believe that it will not only improve students’ understanding of their past but also contribute to national integration and the strengthening of civic values. Former Education Minister Adamu Adamu had previously argued that the removal of history from the curriculum led to a decline in moral values, disconnecting Nigerians from their cultural identity.
With the support of President Tinubu’s administration, the reintroduction of history is expected to foster a deeper sense of national pride and unity among Nigeria’s younger generation.
