The Federal Government has officially reintroduced Nigerian History as a compulsory subject in the basic education curriculum, aiming to foster national identity, unity, patriotism, and responsible citizenship among young learners.
The Federal Ministry of Education made the announcement on Wednesday via a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
“For the first time in decades, Nigerian pupils will study History continuously from Primary 1 to JSS3, while SSS1 to SSS3 students will take a new subject titled Civic and Heritage Studies, which integrates elements of History with Civic Education,” the statement read.
Curriculum breakdown
Primary 1–6: Pupils will be introduced to Nigeria’s origins, key historical figures, traditional rulers, cultural heritage, political evolution, economic development, religious diversity, colonial experience, and post-independence governance.
JSS1–3: The syllabus will expand to cover major African civilisations, indigenous empires, trans-Saharan trade, European contact, the amalgamation of Nigeria, independence, democratic development, and civic values.
The Ministry described the policy shift as a “priceless gift to the nation,” aimed at reconnecting children with their roots while promoting pride, social cohesion, and a strong commitment to national development.
To support the reform, the Ministry said it has released the revised curriculum and will retrain teachers, provide instructional materials, and enhance monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure effective implementation in schools nationwide.
