History of Education in Nigeria

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.

73 thoughts on “History of Education in Nigeria”

  1. 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!!!

  2. please guys, i have a question for you.
    The question says:
    Discuss the history antecedent that surround the development of higher education in Nigeria

  3. 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.

  4. 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

  5. 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!!!

    • 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.

  6. 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….

    • 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

    • 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

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