Historical Scholarship in Nigeria Since the 1950’s: A Challenge to Historians

Abstract

This paper examined the rise and development of History as an academic discipline in Nigeria since the 1950’s. The years between the 1950’s and the 1980’s were years when historical studies were at their peak in Nigerian universities. From the 1990’s to the present witnessed the gradual decline of the discipline as a result of factors like the lack of role models, emphasis on wealth creation rather than scholarship, the rise of internet sources, the absence of images during class instruction and the merger between History and other disciplines, amongst others. This research consulted primary sources, largely obtained through personal communication with students from three Nigerian universities; and secondary source materials. It concluded by suggesting ways of reviving historical scholarship in Nigeria. The use of images and instructional materials in teaching, the constant publication of journals and history books and the attempt at making historical scholarship all embracing and relevant to the present and future needs of the society are some of the suggested ways history as a discipline can regain its pride of place as the bedrock of all disciplines.

Keywords: challenge, discipline, development, history, scholarship

LWATI: A Journal of Contemporary Research, 8(3), 61-69, 2011