A BRIEF HISTORY OF EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Before the British arrived in the early nineteenth century, there were two major types of
education in Nigeria. In the Islamic north, education was strictly religious in nature. In each
Muslim community, a mallam drilled children as young as five years old in the teachings of the
Qur'an and the Arabic alphabet. During the colonial era, larger cities set up more expansive
Islamic schools that included subjects such as math and science. In 1913, these Islamic schools,
almost all in the north, numbered 19,073 and enrolled 143,312 students. In the 1970s the
government took control of the Islamic schools, but in the 1990s, the schools were allowed to
operate independently again.
The indigenous system was the second type of education before the British occupation. Students
were taught the practical skills needed to function successfully in traditional society. Usually
children within two or three years of age belonged to an age-group. Together, they learned the
customs of their community and were assigned specific duties around the village, such as
sweeping lanes or clearing brush. As the children grew older, the boys were introduced to
farming and more specialized work, such as wood carving or drumming. Girls would learn
farming and domestic skills. Boys would often enter into apprenticeship-type relationships with
master craftsmen. Even in the twenty-first century, this kind of education is common.
Formal, Western-type of education was introduced by British missionaries in the 1840s. The
Anglican Church Missionary Society (CMS) started several schools in the mid-1800s. The
colonial government gave the church financial aid, but in the early twentieth century the
government began building primary and secondary schools. By the time the British combined the
northern and southern regions into one colony in 1914, a total of 11 secondary schools were in
operation, all but 1 run by missionaries. There were also 91 mission and 59 government
elementary schools.
Education in Nigeria
Nigeria has made considerable progress in the domain of education. The education system in the
country is supervised by the state. There are 27 federal and state-owned polytechnics in Nigeria.
The first 6 years of primary education are mandatory in Nigeria. 
Nigeria is making a steady progress in the development of education. Many universities and
schools have been established by the state. However, much still needs to be done.
Primary education in Nigeria is in the native language but brings in English in the third year.
Higher Education has developed considerably over the years, which has resulted in a healthy
literacy rate
Quick facts on Education in Nigeria 
Education in Nigeria is managed by the state.
There are 27 federal and state-owned polytechnics in Nigeria
The present literacy rate is estimated at 72%.
The first 6 years of primary education are mandatory in Nigeria.
Universities in Nigeria
Some of the important educational institutions of Nigeria are: 
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
Bayero University
Government College of Ibadan
Lagos Business School
Obafemi Awolowo University
University of Benin
University of Lagos
Yaba College of Technology
Nigerian Education System
At present, along with a number of state universities, colleges, and schools, the Nigerian local
and state governments manage primary and secondary education. Higher education in Nigeria is
the responsibility of both the federal and the state governments.

The formal education system in Nigeria includes: 

6 years of primary schooling
3 years of junior secondary schooling
3 years of senior secondary schooling, and
4 years of university education, finally directing toward a bachelor's level degree in the majority
of the subjects.
The annual term of school in Nigeria is ten months, and is sectioned into three ten- to twelve-
week periods, each at the pre-primary, primary, junior and senior secondary stages. 

| Home| About BFFA | Beneficiaries| Scholarship | Organisation | Fund

 
Educational System In Nigeria
   Introduction
 Educational System In Nigeria
 Life After Primary School Education

Introduction

Education is an investment that pays off any time anyw

world of crumbling economies and turbulent times, wh
sleepless nights trying to figure out how their stocks are
education becomes even more paramount. By investing
governments, corporations, communities, NGOs and in
   
prepare the youths for the challenges ahead. If children
leaders of tomorrow, then it is time we started investing

Regrettably, Illiteracy has come to stay in many develop

world, including Nigeria, and has continued to pose a th
nations. On this Web site, you will learn more about edu
and the future of those pupils who are not opportuned t
education after leaving primary school.
    
 Educational System In Nigeria

Education in Nigeria is based on a 6-3-3-4 system, whic

levels of institutional learning processes:

 at the primary school level

 at the secondary school level
 and at the tertiary level

Actually, nursury education forms the first stage of the

Nigeria. Unfortunately, a lot of families still can’t afford
todlers to nursery schools. Since the 6-3-3-4 system of ed
include education at this stage, this write-up will concen
levels mentioned above.

Primary School Education

In Nigeria, children start attending primary schools (ele

when they are 6 years old and spend the next six years t
the age of 12. However, most children who attended nu
    to primary schools have an edge over those children wh
privilege to do so. Therefore, they usually finish earlier.
primary school pupils are awarded the First School Lea
(FSLC), which, in combination with the common entran
fulfils the formal requirements for secondary school edu

Primary education in Nigeria is compulsory,  but free u

Basic Education (UBE) programme introduced by Presi
Obansanjo on September 30, 1999. However, it may be a
speak of free primary education here because in reality
pay school levies imposed on pupils, buy school uniform
Admittedly, education at this level is mainly financed b
But after the primary school education, parents and gua
bear the full costs of sending their children/wards to sec
tertiary institutions.

At primary school level, pupils have to put on school u

the country. Every school has its own uniform as a way
pupils from the other school pupils within the same loca
schools, expecially those ones in big cities, require their
sandals as part of their outfits. 

Starting from 1998, those wishing to teach at primary sc

 required to possess a National Certificate in Education
awarded by Colleges of Education. Due to lack of teache
holders of the Teacher's Grade 2 Certificates (TC 2) are
teach in some remote primary schools.
    

            Secondary School Educati

 
Successful pupils at the primary school level - those in
 
of FSLC and who have passed the entrance examination
schools, the Common Entrance Examination, can then p
secondary school education, usually at the age of twelve
Education, which used to last for five years, now takes 6
The language of instructions at this level of education is
primary and nursury schools pupils, secondary school s
wear school uniforms. But while at the nursery and prim
pupils, irrespective of their sex, attend mixed schools, b
secondary school level are often sent to separate schools
girls' schools). However, mixed secondary schools are n
in Nigeria today.

The first phase of the secondary education, which lasts

provided at the Junior Secondary Schools (JSS). At the
years, students sit for Junior Secondary School Examin
 
the successful ones are awarded the Junior Secondary S
(JSSC). A successful completion of the JSS is a prerequi
phase - the Senior Secondary School (SSS), which also
At the end of this period, students obtain the Senior Sec
Certificate (SSSC) after writing and passing the final ex
the Senior Secondary School Examination. The SSSC i
former West African School Certificate (WASC). As is
primary school level, brilliant students who wish to skip
allowed to do so after due consultations with their pare
their respective school authorities.

At the secondary school level, there are also the technic

schools and commercial secondary schools which also o
up to six years. Both academic and specia- lised subjects
There is also the vocational education offered at technic
who want to acquire specialised skills at the end of their
choose to attend the technical/commercial schools. Most
 contraints, however, a lot of poor children are forced to
education at private business centres and commercial sc
low quality education and are far from being governme

On the other hand, there are some private schools whic

qualified teachers and therefore provide qualitative, but
education. And of course, there are also the most sough
Colleges, Federal Colleges and the Uni- sity Secondary
the crème de la crème in terms of secondary school educ
admission into these schools, students must not only co
families, their parents/guardians must also have high an
connections. The quality of education here is by far high
obtainable in normal secondary schools. In fact, it is a pr
such schools! All animals are equal, but ...

Irrespective of which secondary schools they attended,

wish to study at a university level must have at least 5 c
than two exams) out of the subjects they entered for in t
West African General Certificate of Education - Ordina
O/levels). These subjects must be relevant to the courses
and should include credits in English language (especia
Mathematics (especially if one wishes to study a science
science subject. In addition, they have to pass the Unive
Matriculation Examination (UME), which is conducted
Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB). 

However, due to limited number of admissions - the so-

clausus - some applicants who did well in the UME are
admissions: their scores are said to be below the cut-off
prospective departments. The UME includes a compuls
candidates - the almighty Use Of English, and three oth
are relevant to their proposed courses. All these subjects
with acceptable results. Although each of the 36 states in
the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, now has at least on
higher learning, tertiary education has continued to elud
school leavers.
    

            Tertiary Education
   
Institutions of higher education, or the tertiary institut
last stage of formal education, which takes a minimum
completing the 6-3-3-4 educational system mentioned ea
Professional courses, however, last longer; Medicine an
instance, last for 6 years. Institutions offering higher edu
universities (both Federal and State universities), polyte
and State poly- technics), universities of technology (ow
Federal or State governments), universities of agricultur
colleges of education. 

Provided that the candidates have fulfilled the formal e

requirements mentioned above, and depending on whe
parents/guardians can afford to sponsor them, they can
education at a tertiary level. Direct entry candidates for
spend three instead of the usual four years for first degr
Social Sciences and Pure Sciences. There are three stages
univeristy level:

 First Degree Programme

 Master's Degree Programme
 Doctorate Degree Programme

The first degree programme leads to the award of a Bac

which can be a Single Honour or Combined Honours. S
graduate from the faculty of Humanities are awarded B
Combined Honours) while graduates in science courses
The Master's degree programme takes one or two years
degree while the PhD Programme lasts for two or three
Master's Degree. Thereafter, Master's respectively Docto
conferred on successful students. 

Polytechnics and some other institutions of higher educ

education in two phases of two years each. After the firs
programme, successful candidates are awarded the Ord
Diplomas (OND). With these diplomas in their pockets
proceed to the second stage, which leads to the award o
National Diploma (HND). Apart from a successful com
OND-programme, students are also required to do at le
industrial attachment before being admitted to the HND

Colleges of Education award the Nigerian Certificate o

(NCE) at the end of a 3-year programme. Most NCE-ho
admission into univeristies with a veiw to obtaining bac
education, the BEd, which could increase their chances
senior secondary schools or becoming headmistresses/h
primary schools. The higer institutions of education also
 courses to enable the working population further their e
the qualifications necessary for their present jobs.
    

            Life After Primary School Edu

It has become a well-known phenomenom that young u

in Nigeria don't always find life easy, especially when it
jobs. But having acquired a university education, they a
to take their destiny in their own hands. But what happ
children who have zero opportunity of going beyond pr
This section focuses on the ordeals such kids are made t
leaving primary schools.

As has been pointed out before, the educational system

allows only a compulsory primary school education of s
children under the Universal Basic Education (UBE) sc
introduction of the Universal Free Primary Education (
afore-mentioned UBE and the State Primary Education
each state to liaise with the UBE, the Nigerian governm
demonstrate its interest in reviving the primary school e
country. However, while some people laud government
skies, others, especially the critics, are still very sceptica
   
educational programmes and their set objectives.

Well, be that as it may, the fact still remains that after th

education, sending children to secondary schools, and l
of higher learning, becomes the sole responsibility of pa
For children from poor families and poverty-stricken vi
and aspirations to attain a reasonable academic standard
dashed. Having thus been forced to abandon the idea of
some of them take to street hawking and other menial jo
desperate ones among them resort to stealing and other
a means to an end. Catering for themselves and their fam
becomes a way of life. 

In most cases, this untold hardship leads to frustration

and having no one to turn to, these poor creatures, may
felonies, thus exposing themselves to more dangers. Suc
delinquencies, which are now becoming very rampant i
hopelessness, pose a serious threat to the entire society.

Children with bleak future abound in many Nigerian vi

 Future Foundation Amodu was set up to help create a b
through education, for the poor children from Amodu. 
donations to give these children a better future.
    

---  I Up I Home I Contact I © by BFFA

Educational System In Nigeria

Education in Nigeria is based on a 6-3-3-4 system, which involves three levels of institutional learning processe

 at the primary school level

 at the secondary school level
 and at the tertiary level

Actually, nursury education forms the first stage of the learning process in Nigeria. Unfortunately, a lot of fami
schools. Since the 6-3-3-4 system of education does not include education at this stage, this write-up will concen

Primary School Education

In Nigeria, children start attending primary schools (elementary schools) when they are 6 years old and spend the ne
most children who attended nursery schools prior to primary schools have an edge over those children who didn't ha
earlier. At graduation, primary school pupils are awarded the First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC), which, in com
the formal requirements for secondary school education. 

Primary education in Nigeria is compulsory,  but free under the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme introd
1999. However, it may be an exaggeration to speak of free primary education here because in reality parents still hav
uniforms and so on. Admittedly, education at this level is mainly financed by the government. But after the primary
the full costs of sending their children/wards to secondary schools or tertiary institutions.

At primary school level, pupils have to put on school uniforms throughout the country. Every school has its ow
other school pupils within the same locality. Some primary schools, expecially those ones in big cities, require th

Starting from 1998, those wishing to teach at primary school level are required to possess a National Certificate
Education. Due to lack of teachers, however, holders of the Teacher's Grade 2 Certificates (TC 2) are still allowe
   
 Secondary School Education

Successful pupils at the primary schoollevel - those in possession of FSLC and who have
 
passed the entrance examination to secondary schools, the Common Entrance
Examination, can then proceed with the secondary school education, usually at the age of
twelve. Secondary School Education, which used to last for five years, now takes 6 years to
complete. The language of instructions at this level of education is English. Like primary
and nursury schools pupils, secondary school students have to wear school uniforms. But
while at the nursery and primary school levels, pupils, irrespective of their sex, attend
mixed schools, boys and girls at the secondary school level are often sent to separate
schools (boys' schools or girls' schools). However, mixed secondary schools are no longer a
rare sight in Nigeria today.

The first phase of the secondary education, which lasts for three years, is provided at
the Junior Secondary Schools (JSS). At the end of these three years, students sit for Junior
Secondary School Examination (JSSE) and the successful ones are awarded the Junior
Secondary School Certificate (JSSC). A successful completion of the JSS is a prerequisite
for the second phase - the Senior Secondary School (SSS), which also lasts for three years.
At the end of this period, students obtain the Senior Secondary School Certificate
(SSSC) after writing and passing the final examination, which is the Senior Secondary
School Examination. The SSSC is equivalent to thformer West African School Certificate
(WASC). As is the case at the primary school level, brilliant students who wish to skip a
class may be allowed to do so after due consultations with their parents/guardians and
their respective school authorities.

At the secondary school level, there are also the technical secondary schools and
commercial secondary schools which also offer courses lasting up to six years. Both
academic and specia- lised subjects are taught here. There is also the vocational education
offered at technical colleges. Students who want to acquire specialised skills at the end of
their studies may choose to attend the technical/commercial schools. Mostly due to financial
contraints, however, a lot of poor children are forced to pursue their education at private
business centres and commercial schools, which offer low quality education and are far
from being government approved. 

On the other hand, there are some private schools which can boast of well-qualified
teachers and therefore provide qualitative, but expensive education. And of course, there
are also the most sought Government Colleges, Federal Colleges and the Uni- sity
Secondary Schools, which are the crème de la crème in terms of secondary school
education. But to obtain admission into these schools, students must not only come from
well-to-do families, their parents/guardians must also have high and powerful connections.
The quality of education here is by far higher than what is obtainable in normal secondary
schools. In fact, it is a privilege to attend such schools! All animals are equal, but ...

Irrespective of which secondary schools they attended, all students who wish to study at a
university level must have at least 5 credits (in not more than two exams) out of the subjects
they entered for in the SSS exam(s) or West African General Certificate of Education -
Ordinary Levels (GCE O/levels). These subjects must be relevant to the courses they want
 to study and should include credits in English language (especially in Humanities),
Mathematics (especially if one wishes to study a science course) and a science subject. In
addition, they have to pass the Universities Matriculation Examination (UME), which is
conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB). 

However, due to limited number of admissions - the so-called numerus clausus - some

applicants who did well in the UME are not offered admissions: their scores are said to be
below the cut-off mark set by their prospective departments. The UME includes a
compulsory paper for all the candidates - the almighty Use Of English, and three other
subjects which are relevant to their proposed courses. All these subjects have to be passed
with acceptable results. Although each of the 36 states in Nigeria, including the Federal
Capital Territory Abuja, now has at least one institution of higher learning, tertiary
education has continued to elude many secondary school leavers.
   
            Tertiary Education

Institutions of higher education, or the tertiary institutions provide the last stage of formal

education, which takes a minimum of 4 years, completing the 6-3-3-4 educational system
mentioned earlier in this article. Professional courses, however, last longer; Medicine and
Dentistry, for instance, last for 6 years. Institutions offering higher education include universities
(both Federal and State universities), polytechnics (both Federal and State poly- technics),
universities of technology (owned either by the Federal or State governments), universities of
agriculture and numerous colleges of education. 

Provided that the candidates have fulfilled the formal entrance requirements mentioned
above, and depending on whether or not their parents/guardians can afford to sponsor
them, they can continue their education at a tertiary level. Direct entry candidates for
degree programmes spend three instead of the usual four years for first degree courses in
  Arts, Social Sciences and Pure Sciences. There are three stages of education at the univeristy
level:

 First Degree Programme

 Master's Degree Programme
 Doctorate Degree Programme

The first degree programme leads to the award of a Bachelor's Degree, which can be a
Single Honour or Combined Honours. Students who graduate from the faculty of
Humanities are awarded B.A. (Single or Combined Honours) while graduates in science
courses are awarded B.Sc. The Master's degree programme takes one or two years after the
first degree while the PhD Programme lasts for two or three years after the Master's Degree.
Thereafter, Master's respectively Doctorate degrees are conferred on successful students. 
Polytechnics and some other institutions of higher education provide education in two
phases of two years each. After the first two-year full-time programme, successful
candidates are awarded the Ordinary National Diplomas (OND). With these diplomas in
their pockets, students can now proceed to the second stage, which leads to the award of
the Higher National Diploma (HND). Apart from a successful completion of the OND-
programme, students are also required to do at least one year industrial attachment before
being admitted to the HND-programme. 

Colleges of Education award the Nigerian Certificate of Education (NCE) at the end of a

3-year programme. Most NCE-holders seek admission into univeristies with a veiw to
obtaining bachelor's degrees in education, the BEd, which could increase their chances of
teaching at the senior secondary schools or becoming headmistresses/headmasters at
primary schools. The higer institutions of education also run sandwich courses to enable
the working population further their education or obtain the qualifications necessary for
their present jobs.