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By Olakunle Olafioye
Following Federal Government’s decision to reintroduce History in school curriculum, states are gradually embracing the directive, which of course has come with fresh challenges.
Notable among this is the claim of dearth of qualified historians to teach the subject.
In this interview, Dr. Fidelis Enang Egbe, national public relations officer, Historical Society of Nigeria, HSN, addressed the questions on these challenges and other issues relating to what Nigeria stands to gain from the reinstatement of the subject in primary and secondary school curriculum.
What does the reintroduction of History in school curriculum mean to you as a historian?
It simply means that Nigeria is beginning to take the right step because since 1982-83 when History was yanked off from junior school curriculum, it meant that people at that period could not study Nigerian history between then and now that states are beginning to take action even though it was reintroduced in 2016. It means that all the people that were born within this period of hiatus do not have the sense of the Nigerian history. It means they do not know the story of Nigeria and the events that took place between then as well as how and why those events happened. By implication, it means that those people lost their identity as Nigerians because it is history that gives you your identity. Although when it was yanked off those who masterminded it introduced social studies and history, but that is not history. In fact, these are droplets of history and historical events. Nigeria did a disservice to her citizens between 1980s and now by denying them the opportunity to know their history. That is why we keep having agitations for self-determination. The youth do not even know why the civil war happened and why a repeat must be avoided. But by the reintroduction, it means we are now beginning to toe the right direction in giving the opportunity to Nigerian youths to learn and understand our history in order to become better and patriotic citizens. A country without history will always continue to grope in the dark. In civilized climes, there is no any single government policy that is formulated without taking cognizance of the history of that country.
Is there anyway Nigeria can regain all it has lost as a result of the decision to remove history from the nation’s education curriculum?
It will definitely take a while because it is like a case of someone who had been used to using his right hand to write, but who suddenly lost it in an accident and then having to learn to use his left hand. But the good news is that the Historical Society of Nigeria has continued to campaign and try to give orientation to the people about the Nigerian history. We have really lost a lot, we can’t regain it overnight.
A number of reasons were adduced for the removal of history from school curriculum and these include supposed apathy to the study of history and lack of employment opportunity for graduates of History. How plausible are these claims?
It is a very poor way of thinking to claim that there are no job opportunities for historians. The most employable set of human beings anywhere in the world are historians because historians are versed in knowledge. If you see a historian who is studying flood, for instance, he is studying the impact of flood on human beings. The claim that historians are not employable only underscores the parochial view of our leaders about History. In the early 80s and 90s, historians were everywhere in Nigeria. Right now, the current INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, is a historian, the former Chief of Army Staff is a historian. Historians are the most employable people, but it is because our government does not take cognizance of the importance of history and does not know how history should be applied in solving our problems. It is very sad that historians are not consulted when things happen in this country. Take, for instance, Nigeria lost the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon at the Hague because while they were able to assemble seasoned lawyers they did not consult the Historical Society of Nigeria to bring its wealth of experience into the team that prosecuted the case. A lawyer can argue a case very well, but it is the historian that will give perspectives to his argument to make it incontrovertible. Government decided to yank off history from school curriculum for selfish reasons. It was part of the requirements by foreign bodies for the introduction of Structural Adjustment Programme. It had a foreign hand. They wanted history removed so that the people would not have the knowledge of what has happened. We know several colonial histories that have been distorted. If not that Afro-centric historians are now coming to tell the history of Africa, how could they say Mungo Park discovered River Niger, for instance? The day Mungo Park arrived at the bank of River Niger he met people swimming and fishing in the river. He saw houses around the area, but they went ahead to write in the colonial history that Mungo Park discovered River Niger. So these are deliberate colonial distortions and sadly, very sadly, many people read these things and take them line, hook and sinker. So, the reintroduction of history is a great opportunity for us as historians, to try as much as we can to reorientate our people about the true history of our country.
Findings have shown that there is dearth of qualified historians to teach History in states where History has been reintroduced. Could this be attributed to the hiatus caused by the removal of History from school curriculum?
I don’t believe so. It may be that the schools have not searched well for historians. If you advertise today that you need 30 historians, I can assure you that 100 will apply. It is either that the vacancies have not been properly advertised or it could be that the remuneration is too poor. If you know the stress graduates of History went through, it is like going to law school or medical school. If you then call such person to come and take a teaching appointment and earn N20, 000 that person is not likely to come because given the reality of Nigerian situation, N20, 000 cannot solve any problem. There are historians, it is the schools that have not properly advertised or they are not prepared to remunerate them properly. And from what I found out most states have not really obeyed the directive. Apart from Lagos, Oyo and Cross River states, so it will take a while to advertise and get qualified people. There are graduates of History everywhere in Nigeria.
What has been the role Historical Society of Nigerian in the development of this country?
The Historical Society of Nigeria is the first professional body in Nigeria. It has been in existence since 1955. The society has impacted so greatly because from the early period of independence, great historians have participated and served as consultants to governments when there were border disputes. It has equally continued to champion the cause of nationalistic history; the teaching of history that will build the nation. At our conferences, one of which will come up from 11th to 16th of October, We have continued to engage and discuss issues affecting the nation.
