FG reintroduces Nigerian history as compulsory subject in schools

By Isaac Joseph Inyang

The Federal Government has restored Nigerian history to its rightful place in classrooms, making it a compulsory subject in the basic education curriculum. The announcement, made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, marks a decisive step in reshaping the nation’s learning framework under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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For pupils in Primary One through Junior Secondary School Three, Nigerian history will no longer be optional or forgotten in the background of civic studies; it will be taught as a compulsory subject designed to instill national identity, unity, patriotism, and responsible citizenship. At the senior secondary level, the government has gone a step further, merging history with civic education to create a new subject Civic and Heritage Studies that binds Nigeria’s past with the civic duties of its future leaders.

According to the Minister, the decision is not simply about textbooks or timetables. It is a deliberate attempt to reconnect young Nigerians with the struggles, triumphs, and legacies that shaped the nation. From the early kingdoms and empires to the independence movements and democratic journey, students will be guided to understand not only where Nigeria has come from, but also the values that should guide where it is going.

Implementation will not be without challenges. Teachers must be retrained, resources provided, and schools monitored to ensure that the policy translates into practice. Yet the government insists it is determined to follow through, releasing a revised curriculum and calling on parents, educators, and communities to support the process.

With this bold return of history, the classroom is set to become more than a place of instruction. It is poised to become a national mirror, reminding young Nigerians that their story is not just about the past they inherit, but about the future they must build.