President Bola Tinubu has approved the reinstatement of History as a compulsory subject in Nigeria’s primary and secondary schools starting in 2025. This announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during the 2024 Year-End Review on Channels Television.
History was removed from the Nigerian school curriculum in 2007, a move that drew widespread criticism over the years. Minister Alausa highlighted the negative impact this decision has had on younger generations, stating:
“We now have people of 30 years disconnected from our history, something that doesn’t happen in any part of the world.”
Acknowledging the generational knowledge gap, President Tinubu mandated the restoration of history in the curriculum to reconnect students with their heritage and instill a sense of national identity.
Starting in 2025, History will be a core subject for students in:
- Primary schools
- Junior Secondary Schools (JSS)
- Senior Secondary Schools
The reinstatement of History aims to foster a deeper understanding of Nigeria’s past among students, equipping them with knowledge that contributes to national development and unity.
ASUU Warns of Declining Quality in Nigerian Universities Due to Lecturer Exodus
In a related development, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, has raised concerns about the mass relocation of Nigerian lecturers abroad in search of better opportunities.
In an interview with Punch, Osodeke warned that the continued migration of academic staff poses a serious threat to the quality of education in Nigerian universities.
Key Challenges Highlighted
- Lecturer Exodus: Many qualified lecturers are leaving for “greener pastures” due to poor working conditions and inadequate remuneration in Nigeria.
- Impact on Education: The departure of experienced lecturers is leaving universities with a reduced pool of skilled personnel, potentially compromising the quality of education.
Osodeke emphasised the need for urgent government intervention to improve salaries, funding, and the overall working environment in universities to curb this trend.
The reintroduction of History and the concerns raised by ASUU reflect two sides of Nigeria’s educational challenges. While restoring history will help bridge knowledge gaps, addressing the brain drain among lecturers is essential to maintaining quality higher education.
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