The history of education in Nigeria can be traced back to the pre-colonial period, when various forms of education were provided by traditional institutions such as the family, community, and religious organizations. In the early 20th century, education in Nigeria underwent significant changes with the introduction of Western-style education by the British colonial government.
Dr. Babatunde Fafunwa is considered one of the foremost experts on the history of education in Nigeria. He was a Nigerian educationist and scholar who made significant contributions to the development of education in Nigeria through his research and writings.
According to Fafunwa, education in Nigeria can be divided into three main periods: the pre-colonial period, the colonial period, and the post-colonial period.
In the pre-colonial period, education in Nigeria was largely informal and centered on the transmission of cultural and traditional values. Children were taught skills and knowledge by their parents and community members, and this education took place primarily in the home and community. In some cases, children were also taught by religious leaders in places of worship.
During the colonial period, the British introduced Western-style education to Nigeria. The first schools were established in the late 19th century and were primarily intended to educate the children of European officials and wealthy Nigerians. These schools followed the British curriculum and were taught in English.
The colonial government also established teacher training colleges to produce teachers for the growing number of schools in the country. However, education remained largely elitist and access to it was limited for the majority of Nigerians.
In the post-colonial period, the government of independent Nigeria made efforts to expand access to education and improve the quality of education. The government established the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program in 1976, which aimed to provide free and compulsory primary education for all children. However, the program faced challenges such as a lack of resources and trained teachers, and it struggled to achieve its goals.
In the 1980s, the government introduced the Universal Basic Education (UBE) program, which expanded on the UPE program and aimed to provide free, compulsory, and universal primary and secondary education for all Nigerians. The UBE program has had some successes, but it has also faced challenges such as inadequate funding and infrastructure, teacher shortages, and low levels of enrollment and retention.
Overall, the history of education in Nigeria has been marked by significant changes and challenges. While progress has been made in expanding access to education and improving the quality of education, more work needs to be done to ensure that all Nigerians have the opportunity to receive a quality education.
