Back to: History Primary 4
Hello, my brilliant learner! I hope you are having a fantastic day! Have you ever wondered how schools started in Nigeria? Today, we will learn about how education began in Nigeria and how it has grown over the years. Let’s get started!
How Education Started in Nigeria
Imagine a world without schools, where children only learn from their parents at home. Long ago, Nigeria did not have the kind of schools we have today. Children learned by watching their parents, elders, and chiefs. But as time went on, education in Nigeria changed. Foreigners came and introduced a new way of learning, and schools were built. Let’s find out how it all started!
Traditional Education in Nigeria
Before the arrival of Europeans, Nigerians already had a way of educating their children. This was called traditional education. It was not done in classrooms, but children learned important skills such as:
- Farming, hunting, and fishing – Boys learned from their fathers.
- Weaving, cooking, and trading – Girls learned from their mothers.
- Respect and leadership – Elders and chiefs taught young boys how to lead.
- Folktales and storytelling – Children learned morals and history from their grandparents.
This type of education helped children survive and become responsible members of their communities.
Islamic Education in Nigeria
In the 11th century, Islamic education was introduced in Northern Nigeria by Arab traders. They built Qur’anic schools where children were taught how to read and write in Arabic.
- Subjects included the Qur’an, Islamic laws, and Arabic language.
- This type of education spread across the Northern region and was taught in mosques and special schools.
Western Education and Missionary Schools
Western education started in Nigeria when Christian missionaries arrived in the 19th century. The first school in Nigeria was built in 1843 by Christian missionaries in Badagry, Lagos State. This was called the Nursery of the Infant Church.
Missionary schools were built to teach:
- Reading and writing in English
- Bible studies
- Mathematics and basic science
- Vocational skills like carpentry and sewing
Development of Schools in Nigeria
As more people saw the importance of education, more schools were built:
- Government Schools – The British colonial government built schools to train people for office work.
- University Education – The first university in Nigeria, University of Ibadan, was founded in 1948.
- More Schools After Independence – After Nigeria gained independence in 1960, more schools were built across the country to educate children.
Imagine if there were no schools today, and the only way you could learn was by following your parents around. That was how children in traditional Nigeria learned before schools were introduced. Today, we have primary schools, secondary schools, and universities, all because education in Nigeria has grown over time.
Conclusion
Education in Nigeria started with traditional education, where children learned from their families. Islamic education came with Arab traders in the North, and Western education was introduced by Christian missionaries in 1843. Today, education has grown, and schools exist all over Nigeria to give every child the opportunity to learn and succeed.
Evaluation
- How did children learn before schools were built in Nigeria?
- When was the first school in Nigeria built?
- Who introduced Islamic education in Nigeria?
- What was the name of the first university in Nigeria?
- Why is education important today?
Well done, my smart learner! Now you know how education started in Nigeria and how it has grown over the years. Keep learning, keep growing, and never stop believing in yourself! Afrilearn is always here to help you shine. See you in the next lesson!
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