The Federal Ministry of Education has officially distanced itself from a controversial History textbook titled "Living History," which has been accused of excluding the history and culture of the Igbo people, reports ITREALMS.
The government clarified that the publication was never submitted to the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the statutory body responsible for reviewing and approving the national curriculum and educational materials.
The controversy erupted following a viral video by social media user Uche Nworah, who raised alarms after noticing that the book allegedly listed various Nigerian ethnic groups, including the Hausa, Yoruba, Benin, and Itsekiri, while completely omitting the Igbo, one of Nigeria's three major ethnic groups.
The controversy erupted following a viral video by social media user Uche Nworah, who raised alarms after noticing that the book allegedly listed various Nigerian ethnic groups, including the Hausa, Yoruba, Benin, and Itsekiri, while completely omitting the Igbo, one of Nigeria's three major ethnic groups.
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The omission sparked widespread criticism online, with many accusing the publishers of attempting to "erase" Igbo history from the national consciousness.
In its defense, the publisher, Accessible Publishers, denied any deliberate attempt to exclude any ethnic group.
In its defense, the publisher, Accessible Publishers, denied any deliberate attempt to exclude any ethnic group.
The Head of Editorial, Caleb Akinmola, stated that the textbook does contain stories about Igbo culture and history, adding that the claims of exclusion were unfounded.
He further suggested that the content aligns with the national curriculum.
However, the Federal Ministry of Education maintained that the book does not appear on the officially endorsed list of textbooks for History.
However, the Federal Ministry of Education maintained that the book does not appear on the officially endorsed list of textbooks for History.
The Ministry urged parents, teachers, and school administrators to disregard the "emotionally charged narratives" surrounding the book and to strictly adhere to materials approved by the NERDC.
The Ministry emphasized that the use of unapproved instructional materials undermines curriculum standards and could adversely affect learning outcomes.
The Ministry emphasized that the use of unapproved instructional materials undermines curriculum standards and could adversely affect learning outcomes.
It reaffirmed its commitment to providing a balanced and inclusive education that reflects Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity and promotes national unity.
This incident comes as President Bola Tinubu recently directed the return of History as a stand-alone subject in the basic education curriculum, aiming to strengthen nation-building and historical awareness among young Nigerians.
This incident comes as President Bola Tinubu recently directed the return of History as a stand-alone subject in the basic education curriculum, aiming to strengthen nation-building and historical awareness among young Nigerians.
U.J. Dominic/editor
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