The Role of History to Nation Building in Nigeria

Abstract

The role of history in intergroup relations, nation building and national development has been greatly undermined in the Nigerian state. This is evidenced by the various administrations and some scholars’ views on the ‘archaic’ feature of history as an academic discipline. It has almost been forgotten the relevance of history as a major ammunition for the battle against colonial rule; how history gave the national pride , establish nationalism and a strong sense of patriotism to the Nigerian people. Today, history is almost misconcepted as a useless discipline with much emphasis on science and technology for national development. However, in understanding the divergent devastating political and socio-religious crises including the Jos/Plateau crisis, the Ogoni and Niger Delta militant issues, Boko haram, Fulani/farmers clash, banditry among others, there is need for a fundamental necessity to understand the histories of the past. It is indeed a major disservice for any nation to deny the citizens knowledge of their past especially in the attempt in understanding the present challenges. To understand the importants of history in nation
building in Nigeria, the Federal Government has directed all primary and secondary schools across the country to immediately implement the teaching of history as a standalone subject from next academic calendar 2019/2020, because lesson learned from experience could aid in avoidance of mistakes, pitfall and catastrophes in future. This study therefore examines the concept of history as a discipline and a process of change, the term, ‘nation-building, the position of history and its tremendous contributions to nation building project. It concludes that there is indeed an urgent need for history to be used as a tool for the reconstruction of the present Nigerian society.