The Federal Government has reintroduced Nigerian history as a compulsory subject in the basic education curriculum to promote national identity, unity, patriotism, and responsible citizenship among young Nigerians.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced this in Abuja on Wednesday in a statement by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo. He said the revised curriculum aims to rekindle pride in Nigeria’s past, strengthen civic consciousness, and prepare learners for responsible nation-building.
Alausa commended President Bola Tinubu for driving the reform under the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as “a priceless gift” that reconnects children with their roots while inspiring pride, unity, and commitment to national development.
“For the first time in decades, pupils will study Nigerian history continuously from Primary 1 through Junior Secondary School 3,” he said. “Senior Secondary students will take Civic and Heritage Studies, which integrates history with civic education to instill values of citizenship, responsibility, and service.”
The minister explained that pupils in Primary 1–6 will learn about Nigeria’s origins, cultural heritage, heroes and heroines, traditional institutions, political evolution, religions, economy, colonial administration, and post-independence governance. At the JSS level, Civic and Heritage Studies will cover early Nigerian civilizations, West African empires, trans-Saharan trade, European contacts, amalgamation, independence struggles, and democratic governance.
He added that embedding civic education in the new curriculum would equip learners with values to respect diversity, uphold institutions, and contribute positively to society.
Alausa assured that the Ministry of Education has released the revised history curriculum for Primary and Junior Secondary schools, and will work with stakeholders to provide resources, retrain teachers, and strengthen monitoring for effective implementation.
He urged parents, teachers, and communities to support the reform as a collective responsibility in raising patriotic and disciplined future leaders.
