FG Makes Nigerian History a Compulsory Subject in Schools

The Federal Government has officially reintroduced Nigerian History as a compulsory subject in the basic education curriculum, with the aim of fostering national identity, unity, patriotism, and responsible citizenship among young learners.

The announcement was made in Abuja on Wednesday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad. The Ministers commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the reform under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to the policy, pupils will now study Nigerian History continuously from Primary 1 through Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3). At the senior secondary level (SSS1–3), students will take a new subject known as Civic and Heritage Studies, which merges Civic Education with Nigerian History.

Under the revised curriculum, pupils in Primary 1–6 will be introduced to topics such as:

• Nigeria’s origins and founding stories
• National heroes and heroines
• Cultural heritage and traditions
• Political development and governance
• Geography, economy, and religions
• Colonial rule and post-independence eras

For Junior Secondary students, the subjects will expand to include early Nigerian civilizations, pre-colonial states, West African empires, European contact, amalgamation, independence struggles, and democratic governance. These lessons will be integrated with civic values to strengthen patriotism and national cohesion.

Describing the reform as a “priceless gift to the nation,” the Ministers emphasized that it would reconnect students with their roots, instill pride, and encourage them to contribute positively to society. They noted that embedding civic education within the curriculum would also promote respect for diversity, strengthen institutions, and nurture responsible citizenship.

The Ministry of Education has already released the revised curriculum for both Primary and Junior Secondary levels. Plans are underway to work with stakeholders on teacher retraining, provision of learning resources, and effective monitoring of the implementation process.

Parents, educators, and communities have been urged to support the initiative, which the federal government described as a collective responsibility in raising disciplined, patriotic, and future-ready citizens.