The Federal Government has officially reintroduced History as a compulsory subject in Nigeria’s basic education curriculum, in a move aimed at strengthening national identity, promoting unity, and instilling patriotism among young learners.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, September 17, by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, who expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for driving the reform under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the Ministry, pupils will now study Nigerian History continuously from Primary 1 through Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) for the first time in decades. At the senior secondary level, a new subject, Civic and Heritage Studies, has been introduced to merge History with Civic Education.
The revised curriculum will cover a wide range of topics, including Nigeria’s origins, notable figures, cultures, political and economic developments, geography, religions, colonial rule, and post-independence governance. Junior Secondary students will also learn about early Nigerian civilizations, pre-colonial states, West African empires, European contact, amalgamation, independence struggles, and democratic governance.
Describing the reform as a “priceless gift to the nation,” the ministers said the policy would reconnect students with their heritage while equipping them with values to respect diversity, uphold institutions, and contribute positively to society.
The Ministry also confirmed that it has released the revised curriculum for Primary and Junior Secondary schools and will work with stakeholders to provide resources, retrain teachers, and ensure effective implementation.
Parents, educators, and communities were urged to support the initiative, which the government described as a shared responsibility in raising disciplined and patriotic citizens.