Why Nigerian history reintroduction into curriculum is positive, strategic

After years of absence, Nigerian history has finally found its way back into the revised national curriculum.

The move, applauded by educators and cultural advocates alike, is more than just a nod to the past, it is a strategic step toward shaping a more informed, unified, and self-aware generation of Nigerians.

Stakeholders believe that the policy will go a long way in instilling patriotism and good citizenship in the younger generation, making them better leaders of tomorrow.

“People who do not know their history are unlikely to learn from it, and where they do not learn from history, they will repeat it and then blame history for repeating itself,” they say.

Gift Osikoya, a teacher, describes the policy as strategic and positive move by the federal government.

“History helps young learners understand the journey of their nation, its struggles, heroes, values, and achievements.

“When students learn about how Nigeria came to be, the sacrifices of nationalists, and the diversity that makes up the country, it builds a sense of identity and belonging,” she said.

Osikoya emphasised that the study of history in school can change how students perceive their country.

“Many young people today lack deep knowledge of Nigeria’s past, which affects how they connect with national values.

“By learning history early, students can develop pride in their heritage, understand the mistakes of the past, and be inspired to contribute positively to national development,” she noted.

However, she explained that inculcating patriotism through history will not happen overnight, but by consistent and engaging teaching using real-life stories, local examples, and interactive methods, this, she said can make learners appreciate the need to protect and improve their nation.

It was Benjamin Cardozo, an American jurist cum philosopher, who once said, “History in illuminating the past, illuminates the present, and in illuminating the present illuminates the future.”

There is no doubt that a nexus exists between Nigerians lack of literacy, their lack of understanding of history and where they are as a country today.

A lot of communities across the country do not know the accurate narratives of their migration to their current community or town. If you ask a man from Aguleri, and Umuneli about their history both in Anambra State, it is a different narrative that you will get.

The same lack of accurate historical knowledge is seen many other communities such as Urhoboh and Itsekiri, Igalla and Igarra, among others.

Little wonder philosophers believe that no country grows beyond the education or the literacy of its people.

In spite of the fact that history as a subject increased cross-cultural awareness of Nigerians, it was removed from the country’s timetable at basic schools in the 1970s and taught as part of social studies.

This did not go down well with many stakeholders, parents, and teachers as well, hence this ‘intellectual rape’ generated loud outcry.

However, the federal government took a bold step and announced a reintroduction of this subject into the new curriculum, and even made mandatory for students.

Isaiah Ogundele, an administrator, in applauding the policy, emphasised that people without history will forget their past and they would have problems with both present and future.

Ogundele pointed out that history was removed out of the curriculum initially because of fear by the policymakers.

Recall that Wole Soyinka, a Nigerian Nobel Prize winner and statesman during his interview on a television station some time ago, said that history being removed from the school’s curriculum was deliberate and an attempt to dissuade people from learning about the country’s past.

However, Ogundele said by reintroducing it there are lots of advantages such as creating more jobs for teachers at all levels, and making the new generation to study the mistakes of their predecessors and proffer a better solution for their future.

Moreover, he said it will help people to know some beautiful things of the past that are worthy of emulation such as learning people’s culture, custom and tradition would be of help to correct the moral decadence that has been eroded by lack of knowing how things were in the past and social media menace.

“If know where you are, you will not be afraid of where you are going to. Re introducing history will help a lot to bring back the glory of the past,” he emphasised.