CURRICULUM CHANGE: MAKING A CASE FOR HISTORY TO BE TAUGHT AT THE BASIC, SECONDARY, AND TERTIARY LEVELS OF EDUCATION FOR NATION-BUILDING, NATIONAL COHESION AND INTEGRATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Against the backdrop of calls for curriculum overhaul in the Nigerian educational system and Nigeria's quest for nationhood, this paper makes a case for reintroducing History as a teaching subject at all levels of Nigeria's formal education sector. The knowledge of history and its connection to nation-building is often glossed over, and it behooves history scholars to make the connection and provide the needed emphasis as to why knowledge of the subject is key to nation-building. For conceptual clarity, the paper outlines and defines key concepts, including history as a subject, curriculum change, nation, and national cohesion. It further outlines the factors driving Nigeria's call for a curriculum reset. It makes a case for history to be a standalone subject taught at all levels by outlining its importance. In conclusion, the paper advances reasons that make history important to nation-building, national cohesion, and integration. The methodology used for this academic essay is the Secondary Research Method.