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President Bola Tinubu has directed the reintroduction of history as a subject in Nigerian primary and secondary schools, effective from 2025.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during a 2024 year-in-review program on Channels Television.

“President Tinubu has given the directive for the return of history as a subject in primary and secondary schools from 2025,” Dr. Alausa confirmed.

History was removed from the Nigerian curriculum in 2008, replaced by social studies, government, and civic education. The decision was influenced by factors such as low student interest, limited career opportunities for history graduates, and a shortage of qualified history teachers.

Impact of History's Removal

Quantitative studies have traced the evolution of history education in Nigeria, from its rise in the late 1940s to its decline in the 1970s and eventual removal in 2008. Key reasons for the decline included:

• A shift in focus to science and technology over the humanities.
• Economic considerations and job market dynamics.
• Leadership and accountability challenges.
• The failure of nationalist history to address Nigeria’s ethnic, religious, and political challenges.
• The influence of Western educational priorities.

The removal of history from the curriculum had significant repercussions:

1. Nation-Building and Development: A lack of historical understanding weakened national identity and unity, affecting democracy, governance, and accountability.
2. Historical Scholarship: The study of history suffered a decline, with fewer scholars engaging in the field.
3. National Consciousness and Identity: Replacement subjects such as social studies and civic education failed to cultivate a cohesive national identity.

The Path to Reintroduction

Despite the challenges, efforts by the Historical Society of Nigeria have brought renewed attention to the importance of history in fostering nation-building, promoting historical scholarship, and strengthening national identity.

The reintroduction of history aligns with Nigeria’s goals of addressing its historical challenges and preparing future generations with a deeper understanding of the nation’s past. It is seen as a step toward revitalizing the humanities and addressing the societal gaps left by its removal.