Nigeria's Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has explained the reasoning behind the recent restoration of Nigerian History to the country's school curriculum, linking its removal over a decade ago to a broader disconnect among the nation's youth.
According to Alausa, the absence of history lessons left many young Nigerians without a sense of attachment to their country.
"You look at why some kids, young kids are behaving badly today. They don't have a link to this country. One major reason for that was the removal of Nigerian history from our school curriculums," he said.
Reflecting on his own education, the minister recalled how history lessons once shaped a strong sense of national identity.
"When I went to school, I remember Kanuri Kingdom, Bono Empire, Usman dan Fodio, Sokoto Caliphate, everything is still very fresh. It gave us attachment, history.
"To look up to what the heroes and heroines of our country have done, how they've kept our country together, how they've sacrificed for our country," he said, adding that it was "part of our upbringing."
Alausa revealed that Nigerian History was removed from the curriculum roughly 15 years ago, following advice given to the then-president by some ministers.
"We've seen the devastation of people not having linkage to their country," he said.
He noted that the reversal came directly from President Bola Tinubu, who ordered the subject's return to classrooms.
"When President Tinubu came in, [he] directed us immediately, Nigerian history is to be back in school. And I'm [here] to report to you today, Nigerian history is back — at the primary school level, junior secondary school level, and senior secondary school level," Alausa said.
“ And you look at why some young kids are behaving badly today..They dont have linkage to this country.
— Afropolitan 🅰️🌶 (@afropolitan) September 8, 2026
..One major reason for that was the removal of history from our curriculum”
Dr. Tunji Alausa explains why Nigerian History has been restored to the school curriculum. pic.twitter.com/cib1S5EIM1
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