The Federal Government has officially reintroduced Nigerian History as a compulsory subject in the nation’s basic education curriculum, in a move aimed at fostering national identity, unity, patriotism, and responsible citizenship among young Nigerians.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, who expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the reform under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Curriculum Breakdown
For the first time in decades, pupils will now study Nigerian History continuously from Primary 1 through Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3).
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Primary 1–6: Pupils will be taught Nigeria’s origins, heroes and heroines, cultural heritage, geography, economy, political development, religions, colonial rule, and post-independence governance.
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Junior Secondary (JSS1–3): Lessons will cover early Nigerian civilizations, pre-colonial states, West African empires, European contacts, the 1914 amalgamation, independence struggles, and democratic governance, blended with civic values to promote national unity.
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Senior Secondary (SSS1–3): Students will now take Civic and Heritage Studies, a new subject that merges Nigerian History with Civic Education.
Government’s Position
Describing the reform as a “priceless gift to the nation,” the Ministers said the policy would reconnect children with their roots while nurturing pride, discipline, and a sense of responsibility. They emphasized that integrating civic education into the curriculum would also equip learners with values to respect diversity, uphold democratic institutions, and contribute meaningfully to society.
The Ministry further announced that it had released the revised curriculum for both Primary and Junior Secondary levels, and will work with stakeholders to provide learning resources, retrain teachers, and ensure proper monitoring of the policy’s implementation.
Call for Support
The government urged parents, teachers, and communities to support the initiative, describing it as a shared responsibility in raising disciplined, knowledgeable, and patriotic citizens.