The Nigerian government has announced the reintroduction of history as a standalone subject in the basic education curriculum, set to commence in 2025.

Minister of Education Tunji Alausa disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television, emphasizing the subject’s critical role in nation-building. He highlighted how its removal from the curriculum left many Nigerians disconnected from their heritage.

“We now have people up to 30 years old totally disconnected from our history. It doesn’t happen in any part of the world,” Alausa said. He added that President Bola Tinubu’s administration prioritized the move to ensure that primary and secondary school students gain a deeper understanding of Nigeria’s past.

History was removed from Nigeria’s basic education curriculum in 2008 due to low enrollment, as students perceived limited career opportunities for history graduates. It was subsequently merged with social studies.

In 2018, then Minister of Education Adamu Adamu directed the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to reinstate history as a standalone subject, following approval by the National Council on Education during its 61st ministerial session in 2016. The new curriculum aimed to promote national integration and development.

However, the reintroduction faced delays, with significant progress made in 2022 when the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) trained 3,700 teachers to prepare for its revival.

With the latest announcement, history will return to classrooms nationwide, marking a renewed effort to reconnect Nigerian students with their cultural and historical roots. The reintroduction underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a sense of identity and national pride among the younger generation.