Understand the meaning of history and its relevance to human development
Acquire knowledge of historical facts, events and their chronological order
Analyze historical events and their consequences
Develop critical thinking and analytical skills through historical interpretation
Appreciate the diversity of African cultures and their contributions to world history
Relate historical events to contemporary issues and challenges in Nigeria and Africa
1. THE NIGERIA AREA TO 1800
The Nigeria Area to 1800
Content:
•Geographical zones and the people within them: The savannah, forest and coastal areas
•Relationship between the people and the environment
•Relationships among the various peoples of the Nigeria area
•Early centres of civilization in Nigeria: Nok, Igbo-Ukwu, Ife, Benin, Esie, Ikom monoliths, etc.
•Historical significance of the various monuments such as caves and rocky formations
•The trans-Saharan trade (origin, organization and impact)
•The trans-Atlantic slave trade (origin, organization and impact)
Learning Objectives:
identify the geographical zones and the people within them;
establish the relationship between the people and the environment;
comprehend the relationships among the various peoples of the Nigeria area.
examine the significance of various centres;
establish the historical significance of the various monuments such as caves and rocky formations;
assess the impact of the contact with North Africa on the people and states South of the Sahara;
examine the impact of early European contact with the coastal people;
trace the origin, organization and impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade;
2. THE NIGERIA AREA 1800 – 1900
The Nigeria Area 1800 – 1900
Content:
•The Sokoto Caliphate, The Sokoto Jihad (causes, courses and consequence): Internal political development, Relations with neighbours, Relations with the Europeans
•The Yoruba: Internal political development, Relations with neighbours, Relations with the Europeans
•The Nupe: Internal political development, Relations with neighbours
•The Igbo: Internal political development, Relations with neighbours
•The Efik: Internal political development, Relations with neighbours
•European Penetration and Impact: European exploration of the interior, The suppression of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, The development of commodity trade and rise of consular authority, Christian missionary activities, The activities of the trading companies, Impact of European activities on the coast and the hinterland
•British Conquest of the Nigeria Area: Motives for the conquest, Methods of the conquest and its result, Resistance to and aftermath of the conquest
Learning Objectives:
examine the causes, and the processes of the Jihad;
determine the reasons for the conquest and the methods used;
examine the various resistance to the conquest;
evaluate the results and the aftermath of the conquest
3. NIGERIA 1900 – 1960
Nigeria 1900 – 1960
Content:
•The Establishment of Colonial Rule up to 1914: Administration of the protectorates
•The Amalgamation of 1914: Reasons, Effects
•The British Administrative System: Indirect rule, Central administrative set-up, Local administrative units, Anti-colonial movements and their significance
•Economic Development under Colonial Rule: Taxation, Currency, Infrastructure (transportation, post and telecommunication), Agriculture, Mining, Industry, Commerce, Banking
•Social Development under Colonial Rule: Western education, Urbanization/social integration, Improvement unions, Health institutions
•Nationalism, Constitutional Developments and Independence: The rise of nationalist movements, The 1922 Clifford Constitution and the rise of Nigeria's first political party, World War II and the agitation for independence, Constitutional conferences, Factors that aided the attainment of independence
Learning Objectives:
relate the composition of the central administrative set-up to its consequences;
identify the reasons for the introduction and workings of the indirect rule system;
assess the effects of indirect rule;
examine the local administrative units;
account for the anti-colonial movements and their significance;
examine the nature of the economy as it affects taxation, currency, infrastructures, agriculture, mining, industry, commerce and banking;
relate the composition of the central administrative set-up to its consequences;
identify the reasons for the introduction and workings of the indirect rule system;
assess the effects of indirect rule;
examine the local administrative units;
account for the anti-colonial movements and their significance;
examine the nature of the economy as it affects taxation, currency, infrastructures, agriculture, mining, industry, commerce and banking;
trace the development of party politics and its impact on regionalism and minority question;
examine the impact of the constitutional conferences;
determine the factors that aided the attainment of independence;
4. NIGERIA SINCE INDEPENDENCE
Nigeria Since Independence
Content:
•The politics of the First Republic and Military intervention: Struggle for the control of the centre, Issue of revenue allocation, Regionalism and minority question, The 1966 coups, The Nigerian Civil War and its consequences
•The military regimes: The Yakubu Gowon regime, The Murtala Muhammed regime, The Olusegun Obasanjo regime, The Muhammadu Buhari regime, The Ibrahim Babangida regime, The Ernest Shonekan regime, The Sani Abacha regime, The Abdulsalami Abubakar regime
•The Interim National Government (ING)
•The Abacha Regime
•Nigeria in International Organizations: Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union (AU), Commonwealth of Nations, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), United Nations Organization, The role of Nigeria in Conflict Resolution
Learning Objectives:
give reasons behind the struggle for the control of the centre;
examine the role and challenges of the Interim National Government;
assess the challenges and achievements of the Abacha Regime;
examine the role of Nigeria in ECOWAS;
assess the role of Nigeria in the AU;
evaluate the role of Nigeria in the Common Wealth of Nations;
assess the role of Nigeria in the OPEC;
examine the role of Nigeria in the UN;
examine the role of Nigeria in conflict resolutions in the Congo, Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Sudan.
5. AFRICA AND THE WIDER WORLD
West and North Africa
Content:
•1. Islamic Reform Movements and State Building in West Africa:
•Relationship between Sokoto and other Jihads.
•The Jihads of Seku Ahmadu and Al-Hajj Umar
•The activities of Samori Toure
•2. Sierra Leone, Liberia and Christian Missionary Activities in West Africa:
•The foundation of Sierra Leone and Liberia and the spread of Christianity
•The activities and impact of Christian missionaries.
Learning Objectives:
establish the relationship between the Sokoto Jihad and other Jihads in West Africa;
compare the achievements of the Jihads of Seku Ahmadu and Al-Hajj Umar.
examine the activities of Samori Toure of the Madinka Empire.
determine the factors that led to the founding of Sierra Leone and Liberia;
examine the importance of Sierra Leone and Liberia in the spread and impact of Christianity in West Africa.
Eastern and Southern Africa
Content:
•1. The Omani Empire:
•The rise of the Omani Empire
•The empire's commercial and political relations with the coast and the hinterland.
•The Empire's relations with the Europeans
•2. Ethiopia in the 19th century:
•The rise of Theodore II and his attempt at the unification of Ethiopia
•Menelik II and Ethiopian independence
•3. The Mfecane:
•The rise of the Zulu Nation
•Causes, Course and consequences of the Mfecane
•4. The Great Trek:
•The frontier wars
•British intervention in the Boer African relations
•The Great Trek and its consequences
Learning Objectives:
examine the factors that led to the rise of the Omani Empire;
analyze the commercial and political relations of the Omani Empire with the coast and hinterland;
assess the relations between the Omani Empire and Europeans;
examine the factors that led to the rise of Theodore II as the Emperor of Ethiopia;
analyze the strategies that were adopted to achieve Ethiopian unification;
assess the role of Menelik II in the maintenance of Ethiopian independence;
trace events in Nguniland before the Mfecane;
determine the factors that led to the rapid rise of Shaka;
examine the causes, course and consequences of the Mfecane;
determine the factors that led to the frontier wars;
account for British intervention in the Boer-African relations;
describe the nature of the Great Trek;
examine its consequences
Imperialism, Colonialism and Problems of Nation-Building in Africa
Content:
•1. The New Imperialism and European Occupation of Africa:
•The New Imperialism in Africa
•European scramble for Africa
•The Berlin Conference
•The occupation and resistance by Africans.
•2. Patterns of Colonial Rule in Africa:
•The British
•The French
•The Portuguese
•The Belgians
•3. The Politics of Decolonization
•Colonial policies and African discontent
•The impact of the two world wars
•Nationalist activities and the emergence of political parties and associations
•Strategies for attaining independence
•4. Apartheid in South Africa:
•The origin of apartheid
•Rise of Afrikaner nationalism
•Apartheid laws
•Internal reactions to apartheid
•Contributions of African states and international organizations to the fight against apartheid
•Steps taken towards the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa
•Post-apartheid development in South Africa
•5. Problems of Modern Africa:
•Political and economic problems faced by African states
•Natural disasters and their effects on Africa
•Ethnic and religious problems in Africa
•The role of the military in African politics
•Neo-colonialism in Africa
•Boundary disputes
•Civil wars and refugee problems in Africa
Learning Objectives:
examine the political and economic problems faced by African states;
assess the effects of natural disasters on Africa;
determine the role of ethnic and religious problems in Africa;
examine the role of the military in African politics;
examine the role of neo-colonialism in Africa;
assess the problems of boundary disputes;
establish the relationship between civil wars and refugee problems in Africa;
Recommended Textbooks
Adigwe, F (1985) Essentials of Government for West Africa, Ibadan: University Press Plc.
Anifowose, R and Enemuo, F. C (eds)(1999) Elements of Politics, Lagos: Malthouse Press Limited.
Appadorai, A. (1978) The Substance of Politics, London: Oxford University Press.
Ball, A. R. (1983) Modern Politics and Government, London: Macmillan.
Ofoegbu, R. (1977) Government for the Certificate Year, London: George Allen and Unwin.
Olawale, J. B (1987) New Topics on Ordinary Level Government, Ilesha: Jola Publishers.
Oguntomisin, G. A. et al (2001) Countdown to Senior Secondary Certificate Examination: Government, Ibadan: Evans Publishers.
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