Brief History of Education in Nigeria
Western or formal education was started in Nigeria in 1842 — only at the primary level — by the Christian missionaries who managed the educational system according to their respective philosophies.
The missionary organizations available then were the Chord missionary society, the Wesleyan Methodist, and the Catholic.
Secondary education was established in 1859 and the first secondary school was CMS Grammar school, Lagos. The reason behind the delay of secondary schools was not well known. Though, there are insinuations that it was because the missionaries thought that secondary education can induce some critical thinking in people, which may not be helpful for their policies.
During this period, the British colonial government couldn’t interfere in the education system due to some political and financial factors. But in 1872, they started to intervene in the education system by giving donations to the missionary societies to support education.
In 1882, the colonial government brought a document- Education ordinance, with the aim of having total control on education. This was their first formal pronouncement in education in Nigeria. Schools were classified then into Government and private school. The government school were financed entirely through public funds but the private only receive little aid from public fund
The 1882 education ordinance was cumbersome to implement in Nigeria because the curriculum, the method, and the medium of communication was too foreign for a Nigerian child. All these led to the failure of the ordinance and another ordinance was provided in 1887. The new ordinance was seen as the first effective effort made by the colonial government to aid education. Though, only some metropolises in Lagos were covered then.
More foreign teachers were employed, more schools were established and financial encouragements were given to the missions, voluntary agencies and private individuals to establish more schools.
After amalgamation, Lord Fredrick Lugard- then the Governor General of Nigeria, set up some new ideas. These ideas form major part of 1916 ordinance. The ordinance came into existence exactly on 21st of December, 1916. Since the ordinance took place after amalgamation, it was able to take care of the country as a whole.
The northerners had for long been resisting the intrusion of western education either from the colonial government or the missionaries. Lugard met with leaders from the north to convince them that the education will not affect the Islamic tradition which is more paramount to the northerners.
After 73 years from the date of establishment of the first secondary school, the first higher education institution was established in 1932. The first institution was the Yaba Higher College. The college was established in 1932, but commenced studies in1934.
In 1948, The University College Ibadan was created, starting with just 104 students. The number of universities rose from one to five in 1962. And in the 1970s and 1980s, an appreciable number of higher institutions was established. Statistics show that, in 1980, the number of students that gained admission into primary school was about 12 million, 1.2 million for secondary school, and 240,000 at the university level.
Today, western education has suffered many damages. The standard of education that the schools were known for is no more. Nigerian university graduates lack the proper knowledge and skills to acquire employment. Measures must be put in place for Nigerian education to attain its past glory.
In table form, What are the connection between western education and traditional education?
Please can any one help me out with a literature on establishment of government girls secondary schools
List and explain 5 factors that spread the western education in Nigeria
Please!!!!!!!! Urgent answer is needed,
Trace the Advent of education in Nigerian. I am to write 5pages.
What year did you published this article on this website? I want to reference this article in one of my work.
Why did they northerners refused education at the early days of education?i need more explaination.
I need the full history of education in Nigeria
Please I love this site
Please can I have the full history
what we need now is to know the history of education in our dear country Nigeria from 1960 to date
nice updated
An average Nigerian and Nigerian system welcomed and rated “Certificate” higher that “Knowledge”. As long as you have certificate, you are given a position and pay higher than even the person who possesses knowledge without certificate. Basic education entered the hands of uneducated certificate carriers. Even Secondary School Leavers and those awaiting their WASSCE results hang on as Class Teachers.
People started “buying” certificate via cheating/malpractices, monetary inducements, forgery, etc. Those who preferred to read and pass exams were/are ridiculed as time-wasters, etc. Those who desired to be Teachers are laughed at. Funding of education has been insignificant while the little available fund is mismanaged and looted!
We can go on and on!
If we expect something better with these real situations, then we are expecting magic!!!
Yeah that’s true
briefly summarize the development of education in Nigeria from 1930 to 1950….. pls pals urgent answer….
pls l need historical perspectives of supervision in Nigeria
Pls what are the specific reforms and innovations in Nigeria educational system from 2010 till date?
Hi, were you able to get any idea on the reforms in the Nigerian educational system? If yes, please can you share it with me through email: ucheanyanwu93@gmail.com. Thank you very much, I appreciate.
satify
Nice update
What is history of education?
Disadvantage of 1887 education ordinanceqordinance I need help.
Please can I have the full details of history of education in Nigeria according to the difference author. Thank you.
I need an Urgent answer.
Contributions of the 1944 educational policy TO the development of Nigeria.
I have a question please………need an Urgent answer.
Contributions of the 1944 educational policy TO the development of Nigeria.
Pls I was given a topic to write on the 1919 education ordinance and code…pls can I get help on that ?
What is education ordinance of 1908
History of educational planning before 1960 please!
please i need the history of ‘ENVIROMENTAL EDUCATION IN NIGERIA’
Ok let’s get it done
Trace the development of education in Nigeria from 1919 and beyond
A very concise history
Discuss the place of colonial administration in the development of adult education in Nigeria.
Discuss the place of colonial administration in the development of adult education.
very educating
I have a question please, my question is: trace the historical development of education from 1960 to date.
wow what a beautiful page. I like it.
pls what are the five objectives of historical system of educatoonbin nigeria
Pls Wu knows anything about dikes commission…..pls email me
Pls Who tell me! Say types of History of Nigerian Education
please guys, i have a question for you.
The question says:
Discuss the history antecedent that surround the development of higher education in Nigeria
i an very happy with this page i like more and more
Can some body either within or outside the country tell what actually is responsible for the low standard of education in Nigeria today?
hi friends…i was given an assignment to expantiate d impacts of spartan education on Nigerian education…i need help plz…???
trace the historical or theological development of educational management from United States to Nigeria
pls friend i was given an assignment in school the quesion is:the definition of education starting from year 2000 upto date,the writers and reference.i have try all i could but cant get it and this assignment are to be summitted tomorrow.pls can someone help me?
Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. Educational methods include storytelling, discussion, teaching, training, and directed research.
pls guys i av an assignment and it says,clearly identify wit date government intervention in the provision control at financing of primary and secondary schools 4rm 1842-1914
What is going now?
Thanks for the information. But can we have the statistics of how different regions – Igbo, Yourba ect- reacted the westerm education. Again,was the education given at the advent of these schools standard enough? If so,what went wrong with regard to the poor quality of our education
An average Nigerian and Nigerian system welcomed and rated “Certificate” higher that “Knowledge”. As long as you have certificate, you are given a position and pay higher than even the person who possesses knowledge without certificate. Basic education entered the hands of uneducated certificate carriers. Even Secondary School Leavers and those awaiting their WASSCE results hang on as Class Teachers.
People started “buying” certificate via cheating/malpractices, monetary inducements, forgery, etc. Those who preferred to read and pass exams were/are ridiculed as time-wasters, etc. Those who desired to be Teachers are laughed at. Funding of education has been insignificant while the little available fund is mismanaged and looted!
We can go on and on!
If we expect something better with these real situations, then we are expecting magic!!!
what is the contribution of frederick lugard to educational administration in nigeria
he only provided the 1916 ordinance and call on private organization, missionaries, individuals to open schools,and at the same time fund the establishment of these schools by these organizations.
I like this page
I need the history of Educational planning in Nigeria before 1960
Thanks for the info.
What are the ideas set by Lord Lugar’s government after amalgamation?
What ideas did the government of Lord Lugar’s set after the amalgamation?
Thank
what is the full meaning cms
Church Missionary Society
Pls guys,what is the method of teaching used by the missionaries for teaching
Thanks
please friends. I need your help. I was given an assignment in school. the question says “Mr Charles has a son Mike whom he wants to study medicine in the university but his son’s grades and school performances show that Mike would be better of if he goes for Law ”
How can you as a counsellor handle this situation? thanks a lot. I will be waiting….
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What is the difference between 1882 & 1887 education ordinance
the deffrent b/w frist1882 and second1887c ordinance is the 82 ordinance is the ordinance of nigeria $ ghana and the 87 ordinance is frist nigerian ordinance is only 4 niggerian
what are the roles of the missionaries in the development of Nigeria Educational system
what areas has education developed after religious educations
The 1926 educational ordinance and some of the provisions that still exist in 2016
sum of it provisions i still observed that still excite include Registration of teachers; compulsory inspection and supervision of schools.
1926 ordinance
-Duration of elementary school was six years before final examination is taken
-Duration for primary school was 8years
-Standard six teachers were for four years to get third class teacher certification
-For the first time teachers in state were registered
-There was conformity in educational practice in Nigeria
what is the implementation of 1887 education ordinance to adult education?
How has the new educational curriculum been so far interms of the new subjects added to previous ones
Why colonial government did not participate in Nigeria education before